2006 Samuel’s Gorge Grenache McLaren Vale – Grenache/Garnacha grape
“The dark ruby-colored 2006 Grenache was sourced from 80-year-old vines and aged in French barriques, 10% new. It exhibits an alluring perfume of smoke, spice box, lavender, mineral, and cherry. This is followed by a full-bodied, full-flavored, silky Grenache with layers of savory fruit, superb balance, and a fruit-filled finish. Drink this pleasure-driven wine from 2010 to 2018.”Rated 91 Wine Advocate
2007 Ballast Stone Shiraz Currency Creek McLaren Vale – Syrah/Shiraz grape
In the 1800s Goolwa was the most important river port in South Australia linked by rail to Port Elliot, where sailing ships unloaded ballast stone to refill their holds with wool and grain for their return trip to England. Buildings on Ballast Stone Estate Vineyards are made from this stone. Powerful, bold and distinctly McLaren Vale. This is the wine we hang our hat on. With over 60 awards, our shiraz is fast gaining a reputation as a more classic McLaren Vale style, consistently year after year. ballaststonewines.com
2005 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 McLaren Vale – Syrah/Shiraz grape
“The 2005 Shiraz 9 (a 4,000-case cuvee that spends 18 months in new and one-year-old American oak) reveals a big, toasty, smoky nose, but the oak is beautifully absorbed by extravagant quantities of blackberry and cassis fruit intermixed with licorice, incense, and spice. This full-bodied, powerful, rich, layered stunner should drink well for a decade.” Rated 96-98 The Wine Advocate
2004 Glaetzer Shiraz Barossa Valley Shiraz – Syrah/Shiraz grape
The finest of this trio is the flagship cuvee, the 2004 Shiraz produced from 80- to 150-year-old dry farmed vineyards in the northern Ebenezer sector of the Barossa. Aged 16 months in French oak and American hogsheads, this larger-than-life, fascinating wine (cropped at .25 to 1 ton of fruit per acre) offers big, sweet, blackberry and cassis characteristics intermixed with notions of smoke, licorice, and pain grille. A wine of amazing extract, richness, and full-bodied power, with great purity as well as balance, this stunning offering should age effortlessly for 15 or more years. Filled with personality, it is a tour de force in Barossa Shiraz. One of the stars in the Epicurean portfolio, the young Ben Glaetzer is establishing a reputation for high quality in South Australia, not only for the wines from his home winery, but also for his brilliant efforts under the Amon Ra and Mitolo labels. These are small volume, artisinal efforts that capture the pure essence of old vine Barossa Shiraz and Grenache. This 2004 was tasted just prior to bottling. Drink 2005-2020.Rated 94-96 points The Wine Advocate
2002 Ross Estate Shiraz Reserve Barossa Valley – Syrah/Shiraz grape
“The most expensive offering in this portfolio is still fairly priced. The dense purple-colored 2002 Shiraz Reserve offers up aromas of chocolate, blackberry liqueur, new saddle leather, and spice box. Powerful, potent, and rich, this full-throttle offering is only the second Reserve cuvee produced by Ross Estate. Aged in 100% American oak hogsheads (15% new) for 18 months, it is an impressive effort.” Rated 92 The Wine Advocate
2001 Reilly’s Shiraz Dry Land Clare Valley – Syrah/Shiraz grape
Impressive stuff, ripe, complex and aristocratic, dripping with spicy oak-accented blackberry, plum, pepper and licorice flavors, weaving a gamy note through the finish for added interest. Not a huge wine, but deep and refined. Drink now through 2015. Rated 92 Wine Spectator