“HEAD RED Shiraz is a barrel cull from Barossa vineyards including ‘The Blonde’, ‘The Brunette’ and ‘The Contrarian’ single vineyard wines. It allows a pre-view of the vintage quality to come and keeps the quality of the Single vineyard
wines as high as possible.”
If the 2012 Head Red Shiraz is an indication then it looks like we are in for a treat when the single vineyard wines are released later this year.
There’s abundant crowd-pleasing brambly fruit here but it’s joined by some woody whole bunch herbs, violet and lavender florals, whispers of char-grilled meat and an exotic stonefruit note which suggests a little white-grape influence. Firmly in the medium-bodied and elegant Barossan spectrum with distinct savoury tarry, earthy notes on the palate. Pepper and star anise seasoning. Tensile with very fine, smudgy tannins. No overt oak influence and a fair degree of gravitas for the price. It may offer even more over the next five years but there’s no harm in decanting and drinking a bottle now. 93 Very Good – Excellent
Region: Barossa
Alcohol: 14.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $22.50
Tasted: May 2013
Tried the Head Red 2012 last night…it really is as good as you say! Such fruit purity, and lovely fine tannins. It feels wrong drinking it so young, but it is so fresh, it is just so drinkable!
Agree completely Simon. The drinkability factor is high here. Same with the 2012 Head Wines GSM – which reminds me, I need to post a review on that wine. Will do by tomorrow.