A dark purple wine from centre to rim. Initially reductive. Sulphur dissipates to show equally firm aromas of tapenade, graphite and marmite. Minerals ahead of fruit. It's nothing short of delicious when sipped. Pristine fruit picked at optimum ripeness, handled with a soft winemaking hand. Blackberries and mulberries, oak a calming influence. An exceptional wine.
96 points, The Real Review (February 2020)
This is an awesome powerhouse wine displaying a distinctive regional or vineyard character. There’s minerality and liquorice with an earthy underlay. Intense and immensely powerful fruit is at bursting point, with a little coffee grind emerging as it breathes. Grainy tannins and dense black fruits power to a long finish. Definitely recommend decanting to get the best from this brute in the short term. But there is also plenty of cellaring potential here.
95 points, Wine Pilot
Colonel William Light, the South Australian colony’s Surveyor-General, named the Barossa in 1837 after the site of an English victory over the French in the Spanish Peninsular War. In the mid-1800’s Silesian and English immigrants settled in the area. The Barossa itself comprises two distinct sub-regions: Eden Valley and the warmer Barossa Valley floor at 270m.The Barossa Valley enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate characterised by hot dry summers and relatively low rainfall. Cool sea breezes from the Gulf of St Vincent modify the temperature, however hot northerly winds can occasionally dominate creating considerable vine stress. Many older established vineyards are dry-grown, but supplementary irrigation is also extensively used. The valley is comprised of rich brown soils and alluvial sands. A long history of uninterrupted viticulture in the area means the Barossa valley is home to Australia’s largest concentration of old-vine Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre with many over 100 years old. Although most famous for Shiraz, the Barossa can also produce fragrant and deliciously fruity Grenache blends and beautifully rich, chocolatey Cabernet Sauvignons.
