Category Archives: Barossa

2012 Woods Crampton Barossa Valley Shiraz

Sourced from “a number of established low-yielding vineyards primarily at higher altitudes and none on the Barossa floor.” Also incorporates a 15% Eden Valley component which shines within the final blend. It’s hard to miss. Juicy stylings with minimal oak … Continue reading

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2011 Yelland & Papps Devote Shiraz

Grapes for this come from the Greenock subregion in the west of the Barossa Valley. Sees a mix of French and American oak hogsheads for 20 months with 25% of them being new. Opens up very expressively with red and blue … Continue reading

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2011 Cirillo Single Vineyard Shiraz

I’m not sure why Marco Cirillo doesn’t garner the same amount of attention as other members of the Barossa vanguard – and vanguard is probably the wrong word anyway seeing as I’m referring to producers who are looking more to … Continue reading

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2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Riesling

I spoke to Jacob’s Creek chief winemaker Bernard Hicken earlier this year about this wine and others in the regionally themed Jacob’s Creek Reserve range. It’s mostly Eden Valley fruit but as they’re dealing with an international market who possess a limited … Continue reading

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2010 Yelland & Papps Divine Shiraz

I’m of the opinion that the real excitement at Yelland & Papps lies with their ‘Second Take’ and ‘Devote’ labels. These ‘Divine’ releases are glossy and showy – quite traditional flagships really – and they will have their fans but … Continue reading

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2011 Head Wines The Blonde Shiraz Viognier

From a single vineyard in the Stonewell subregion of the Barossa with between two and five percent Viognier skins incorporated depending on the vintage. Not marred by the cool, wet conditions in any way that I can see and my favourite of the 2011 … Continue reading

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2011 Head Wines Old Vine Grenache

If you tend to find Barossa and McLaren Vale Grenache a bit on the sweet side then the better releases from 2011 might be right up your alley. I find most good Grenache takes on a more earthen and savoury … Continue reading

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2012 Kalleske Plenarius Viognier

Comes in a squat and heavy bottle which will doubtless piss many people off. The biggest problem I had was that I thought from the weight of it that it was three-quarters full when it was in fact three-quarters empty by … Continue reading

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2013 Head Wines Grenache Rosé

This puts me in mind of Marco Cirillo’s 1850 Old Vine Grenache Rosé. Those looking for pale imitations of Provence are advised to move on. There’s weight here and texture but it flows really well. Primarily red fruited – berries … Continue reading

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2011 Yelland & Papps Devote Old Vine Grenache

Yelland & Papps have navigated through difficult conditions in 2011 with some success. This is a savoury, spicy medium-bodied bistro style of Grenache. Fruit was sourced from 45 year-old vines on the outskirts of Greenock. Matured for 20 months in … Continue reading

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