2006 Old Vine Collection Barossa Shiraz
Concept: The Australian Old Vine Collection project is taking leading winemaker and viticulturist Rob Gibson to the oldest corners of Australia’s established wine-growing regions. His self-imposed task is to identify and document and, more excitingly, vinify grapes from the remnants of original plantings in each major district. His first steps have been taken at home in the Barossa Valley. This wine is the result. This is the seventh vintage of this very special wine.
Origin of fruit: Barossa Valley Shiraz (100%) hand-picked from three very small 1850’s planting’s in the Barossa
Analysis: Alcohol 15.7% : pH 3.54 : Acid 6.6 gm/l : Residual Sugar 1.9 gm/l
Vintage Comments: A generous season being pleasantly cool in November & December and warm for fruit ripening in January - plummy notes dominant in Shiraz.
Winemaking/maturation: Open fermentation and daily plunging of cap and extended maceration in part. Matured for 24 months in a combination of new to 5 year old French and American oak
Tasting Note: Very deep opaque purple black colour. Rich tobacco, pepper and sweet vanilla aromas with complex notes of cedar and pine-nut emerging. Bold ripe fruit flavours of nectarine & plum. Well balanced with lively acidity and soft dry tannin showing complex mineral notes. The wine lingers beautifully in the palate, typical of wines from these very old Shiraz vines. Shows wonderful weight and will build with time. Great cellaring potential.
** 96 points - James Halliday Wine Companion 2010 **
2005 Australian Old Vine Collection McLaren Vale Grenache
Concept: The Australian Old Vine Collection project is taking leading winemaker and viticulturist Rob Gibson to the oldest corners of Australia’s established wine-growing regions. His self-imposed task is to identify and document and, more excitingly, vinify grapes from the remnants of original planting’s in each major district. This wine is the result. This is the third vintage of this very special wine.
Production: 580 x 6 packs
Origin of fruit: McLaren Vale Grenache (100%) hand-picked from two very small 1910’s planting’s at Blewett Springs
Analysis: Alcohol 14.5% : pH 3.45 : Acid 6.3 gm/l : Residual Sugar 2.9 gm/l
Vintage Comments: The warm ripening season really suited these hardy old vines with their deep roots. Berry size was medium
Winemaking/maturation: Static pump over fermentation and extended maceration in part. Matured for 20 months in 5 year old French and American oak hogsheads
Tasting Note: Medium red purple colour. Complex spicey bouquet with notes of cherry and earth.
An elegant multi-layered palate with has savoury herb notes & subtle berry flavours. It is gracefully balanced with lively acidity and powder dry tannin. The seamless smooth palate finishes refreshingly dry with lingering warmth. Shows finesse.
** 95 points James Halliday - Wine Companion 2010 **
2006 Australian Old Vine Collection Eden Valley Shiraz
Origin of Fruit: Eden Valley Shiraz (100%) hand picked from a small vineayrd that was planted early last century by the early Barossan settlers.
Vintage Comment: Another fine Barossa vintage with healthy leaves producing rapid sugar development. The Shiraz from these 50 year old vines produced minute quantities of concentrated small berries with vibrant colour and flavours.
Tasting Note: Vibrant opaque dark near black colour with purple hues. Lifted complex ripe berry & spice aromas. The palate is lively, bright & powerful with charming fruit sweetness and finishes beautifully dry with lingering vinosity.
** 96 points James Halliday - Wine Companion 2010 **