Since September I have been living in the Barossa Valley, South Australia - check out my blog from the internship I was on with the Yalumba Wine Company here, at Mentor Me - Hugh. After the program finished, I decided to stay in South Australia and have been working in Cellar Doors and will be moving into the cellar itself at Yalumba for the 2015 harvest in a month.
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| Artisans of Barossa, photo: H McCullough |
I haven't had many days off, but the last few that I have had, I have made my way around the valleys a bit more; tasting more and learning more. With the extra time here I have without doubt developed more of an appreciation for the regions and areas around the Barossa - whether they be legally limited or not. The history of the place never ceases to fascinate me. I recently drank a Shiraz made from vines planted in 1880 (Barossa is full of these old vines, having escaped the ravaging vine-killing pest phylloxera, which has devastated vineyards all over the world) by a family that still tends to the vines, 6 generations later, selling their prized fruit to a winemaker 2km up the road to make a stunning drop of complex, rare and age-worthy wine. I have two bottles of it and will find it very very hard to keep my hands off while it slowly develops in my cupboard. The stories behind the wine are what make drinking a bottle worth it, for me. Getting the opportunity to meet those who strive to make the best possible wine is consuming - I hope that comes across when I pour tastings for visitors.
Believe it or not, Shiraz was not my thing until I moved here. That has definitely changed. Anyone I can convert to Shiraz will never look back! There is no better feeling than having a visitor come in and say 'I don't know your wines and Shiraz isn't really my favourite - what can you show me?', then leave with two or three different styles they will appreciate and drink for years to come. So, with that in mind, here are three stunning - and completely different - Shiraz styles that have blown me away in the last few months:
- Sons of Eden Remus Shiraz 2012, Eden Valley
This is a beast of a wine. Named for the mythical brother of the founder of Rome, Romulus, Remus is a powerful expression of what Eden wines can do. While their Romulus Shiraz is Barossa Valley fruit in American oak (ripe fruit on sweeter oak), Remus is Eden fruit on French oak (spice on spice). The cooler climate of the higher elevation Eden Valley tends to give Shiraz with a more peppery character, as well as a slightly lighter and more elegant palate. 20 months on 65% new French oak gives plenty of power, though and this will be one to come back to for at least 15 years.
- Yalumba Paradox Shiraz 2010, Barossa Valley
What an elegant wine. Those who think Barossa Shiraz is boozy and ripe must taste this to begin changing their minds! Subtle savoury characters come through this wine and maturation in large format barrels give it a mellow complexity rather than an over-oaked flavour. Wonderful with spiced lamb - all I can think about when tasting it!
- John Duval Eligo Shiraz 2009, Eden and Barossa Valley
A stunning wine from a winemaker who certainly knows his way around Shiraz (and Syrah!). Eligo means to hand select and this is exactly what has happened - fruit is marked from the vine as being of exceptional quality and only gets exceptional treatment. Every time you return to it, it shows off another dimension: bitter chocolate, blueberries, blackcurrants with a textured and lengthy finish of sublime, restrained power. Delicious.
I implore you all to go taste the fruits of the Barossa! More to come...
