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Australian Shiraz
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Grown with success in virtually every wine region of the country, Shiraz is by far Australia's premier red wine grape.
Mysteriously it is spelled differently than in France, but there is no question that the two grapes are identical. Australia's original Shiraz vines actually arrived as cuttings direct from the Rhone Valley, initially intended for use as a catch-all grape that could withstand the intensely sunny and hot growing regions of Australia. First planted in the Hunter Valley in the 1830's, and making its way to the Barossa Valley not more than ten years later, it wasn't until the late 1970's that Shiraz was used as anything more than that: a catch-all. Winemakers generally kept it around because the grape could in fact do anything: it could produce light, jammy flavors, or bold, powerful wines with rich, earthy textures. It was also used to make both sparkling and fortified wines. Like so many other varieties of its kind, with versatility came a natural tendency of the public to observe the grape as something less than special. It became a matter of shaking off its old character, imported along with it from Europe, that allowed Australian Shiraz to ferociously emerge as its own animal.
Today, the Australian planting of the grape is one of the world's largest, and the wine styles produced are regarded as among the best that Shiraz is capable of producing. But despite their power, Shiraz from Australia are usually extremely user friendly: not overly tannic, versatile with meat-based meals, ready to drink when released. You don't need a wine education to like them, and that, coupled with the fact that so many are so reasonably priced, is reason enough for their popularity. On the down side, for some, is the predictability of the wines in the lower price ranges. But for many people, knowing what you're in for with a $15 dollar wine is a refreshing change of pace rather than a disappointment.
The Barossa Valley and Mclaren Vale regions create what is the archetypal Australian Shiraz. Sun-drenched and high in alcohol, they are earthy, powerful wines. Chocolaty is the key term associated with these wines; in the Barossa it is a dark, cherryish chocolate, and in Mclaren Vale it is more of a smooth chocolate feel, more akin to milk chocolate. In the Eden Valley, the fruit is up front and focused with all of its dark berry and pepper nuances. But the Hunter Valley has perhaps the most idiosyncratic style, with what many have described as a note of leather saddle saturated with crotch sweat. Very strange indeed, but this wine has a following from those with a taste for the exotic. One will also find that the recent fashionability of Australian Shiraz has not meant the end of its versatility. In fact, the success of the grape has excited more and more winemakers to to hearken back to the old Shiraz styles; port styles and even sparklers are available which are full and rich, complex wines. Sparkling Shiraz is one of those uniquely Australian gifts that one should definitely partake in, most in particular those that are made with more complex, aged base wines.
Australia's Shiraz Giant: Penfold's GrangeIf there is a single wine that can fill the role as the national symbol for Australian wine, it is Penfold's Grange. Max Schubert, Penfold's chief winemaker at the time, first created the blend in 1952. But it was hardly received then as well as it has been in the years since. Schubert set out to make a wine that could stand up to the standard set by the iconic Bordeaux chateaux, a wine of depth, intensity, and most of all, ageability. In its first few years, however, the wine was derided by critics as overly dense and unfocused. Today, critics and wine consumers alike who would agree with this summation are few and far between. Those fortunate enough to sample the wine (it has become quite expensive) bathe their senses in its rich, concentrated flavors, and its aromas of leather and mint mingled with tobacco. The process to achieve these qualities in Grange is quite intensive. It begins with winemakers at Penfolds blind tasting literally hundreds of samples of Shiraz from various vineyards. Starting with the equivalent of nearly 40,000 cases of wine, the winemakers pare down the harvest to only about 7,000 cases—allowing only the finest samples to go into the Grange. Over the years, small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon have also made their way into the blend. But this is always contingent upon the character of the Shiraz in a given year, and is not always the case.
The Best Producers of Australian Shiraz and Shiraz Blends:Cape Mentelle, Clarendon Hills, Craiglee, D'Arenberg, Fox Creek, Hardy's, Henschke, Jasper Hill, Jim Barry, Leasingham, Michelton, Normans, Penfolds, Peter Lehmann, Richard Hamilton, Rosemount Estate, Tyrell's, Vasse Felix
A Comparison of Some of the Most Recognizable Australian Shiraz Types: Mclaren Vale Shiraz Round – Big – High in alcohol Blackberry – Chocolate – Raisin – Cinnamon – Nutmeg – Peppery Oaked Hunter Valley Shiraz Medium bodied – Soft – Aromatic Earthy – Leathery Unoaked
On the Market: Australian Shiraz87 Wagtail Shiraz Barossa $10 87 Stonehaven Shiraz Cabernet $9 87 Hope Estate Shiraz Hunter Valley $10 86 Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz South Eastern Australia $9 86 Stonehaven Shiraz $9 86 Rosemount Shiraz $6 86 Rolling Shiraz Central Ranges $10 86 Lindemans Reserve Shiraz Padthaway $10 86 Hardys Nottage Hill Shiraz South Eastern Australia $9 86 Black Opal Shiraz South Eastern Australia $8 86 Ballast Stone Estate Wines Stonemason Shiraz Currency Creek $10 85 The Mutts Nuts Shiraz Wrattonbully $10 85 Tall Poppy Select Shiraz South Eastern Australia $9 85 Little Penguin Shiraz $8 85 Banrock Station Shiraz South Eastern Australia $5 84 Wyndham Estate Bin 505 Rosé Shiraz South Eastern Australia $9 84 Timbuktu Deluxe Shiraz Fleurieu Peninsula $8 84 Stonehaven Shiraz South Eastern Australia 84 Little Penguin Shiraz South Eastern Australia $8 84 Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz South Eastern Australia $8 84 Kilda Shiraz South Eastern Australia $8 84 Jacob's Creek Rosé Shiraz South Eastern Australia $8 84 Hardys Stamp of Australia Shiraz South Eastern Australia $6 84 Banrock Station White Shiraz South Eastern Australia $5 $6 84 Banrock Station Shiraz South Eastern Australia $5
93 Tintara Shiraz $19***** 93 Innocent Bystander Shiraz Viognier $14***** 93 Green Point Shiraz $18****** 92 Penley Estate Hyland Shiraz $18**** 92 Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz $17 **** 92 Haan Hanenhof Shiraz Barossa Valley $20 91 Wakefield Estate Shiraz Clare Valley $17 91 Three Rings Shiraz $18 *** 91 Richard Hamilton Gumprs' Shiraz McLaren Vale $18 91 Razor's Edge Shiraz Grenache $13 91 Mr. Riggs The Gaffer Shiraz McLaren Vale $20 91 Loom Blewitt Springs Single Vineyard Shiraz McLaren Vale $19 91 Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Shiraz South Australia $20 91 Inkwell Wild Thing Shiraz McLaren Vale $20 91 2 Up Shiraz $15 91 Mitolo Shiraz Jester $19***** 90 Yangarra Shiraz Estate $20 90 Yalumba Shiraz Viognier $16 90 Water Wheel Shiraz $20 90 Torbreck Shiraz Woodcutters '07 $20 90 Tintara Shiraz $19 90 Tait Wines The Ball Buster Shiraz Barossa Valley $17 90 Pure Love Wines Layer Cake Shiraz Barossa Valley $15 90 Pothana Vineyards Big Mouth Red Shiraz-Viognier New South Wales $15 90 Piping Shrike Shiraz Barossa Valley $19 90 Lengs and Cooter Shiraz The Victor $20 90 Juniper Crossing Shiraz Margaret River $20 90 Jim Barry Shiraz Lodge Hill $20 90 d'Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz $14 90 Cimicky Trumps Shiraz $20 89 Sylvan Springs Hard Yards Shiraz McLaren Vale $19 89 Longwood The Shearer Shiraz McLaren Vale $18 89 Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz $12 ***** 89 Greg Norman Shiraz $15 89 Green Point Cab/Shiraz $18 ***** 87 Leasingham Shiraz Magnus $12 87 Yalumba Y Series Shiraz $11 **** 87 Razor's Edge Shiraz $13 86 Penfolds Shiraz Thomas Hyland $13
93 Slipstream Fastback Shiraz McLaren Vale $30 93 Pirathon Shiraz Barossa Valley $30 93 Glen Eldon Dry Bore Shiraz Barossa $27 93 Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Vineyard Shiraz Frankland River $30 92 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Shiraz McLaren Vale $25 92 Yangarra Estate Cadenzia $28 92 Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz- Viognier Barossa $30 92 Passing Clouds Reserve Shiraz Bendigo $30 92 Longwood Shiraz McLaren Vale $30 92 Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz $22 92 Kurtz Family Boundary Row Shiraz Barossa Valley $27 92 Inkwell Shiraz McLaren Vale $25 91 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Single Vineyard Shiraz McLaren Vale $25 91 Wise Eagle Bay Shiraz Margaret River $21 91 Tapestry Shiraz McLaren Vale $22 91 Shingleback Shiraz McLaren Vale $22 91 Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz Clare Valley $24 91 Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz Great Southern $25 91 Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz- Viognier Victoria $25 91 d'Arenberg d'Arry's Orignial $22 91 Chapel Hill The Prophet Shiraz McLaren Vale $30 91 Battle of Bosworth Shiraz McLaren Vale $25 90 Woody Nook Shiraz Margaret River $29 90 Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz Barossa Valley $25 90 Syan Shiraz Pyrenees $25 90 Schild Estate Sparkling Shiraz Barossa $24 90 Rumball NV SB13 Sparkling Shiraz South Eastern Australia $26 90 Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz Coonawarra $23 90 Langmeil Hangin' Snakes Shiraz- Viognier Barossa Valley $22 90 Howard Park Leston Shiraz Margaret River $25 90 Hewitson Ned & Henry's Shiraz Barossa Valley $22 90 Hentley Farm Shiraz Barossa Valley $25 90 Fox Creek Short Row Shiraz McLaren Vale $27 90 Forefathers Shiraz McLaren Vale $25 90 Ferngrove Dragon Shiraz Frankland River $24 90 Cape Mentelle Shiraz Margaret River $24 90 Blackbilly Shiraz McLaren Vale $21 89 Tin Shed Melting Pot Shiraz Eden Valley $29 89 Richard Hamilton Gumprs' Shiraz McLaren Vale $22
95 Greenock Creek Alices Shiraz Barossa Valley $50 94 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz $40 **** 94 Turkey Flat Shiraz Barossa Valley $48 94 Schild Estate Ben Schild Reserve Shiraz Barossa $48 94 Mitolo Reiver Shiraz Barossa Valley $47 94 Kilikanoon Testament Shiraz Barossa Valley $40 94 Brokenwood Wade Block 2 Shiraz $43 93 Torbreck The Struie Shiraz Barossa $50 93 Tapestry The Vincent Shiraz McLaren Vale $41 93 Rolf Binder Heysen Shiraz Barossa Valley $45 93 Mitolo Savitar Shiraz McLaren Vale $59 93 Massena The Eleventh Hour Shiraz Barossa Valley $42 93 Dutschke St. Jakobi Single Vineyard Shiraz Barossa Valley $40 93 Berry's Bridge Shiraz Pyrenees $47 92 Yering Station Reserve
Shiraz-Viognier Yarra Valley $45 92 Yalumba The Signature $50 92 Two Hands Angels Share $40 92 Peter Howland Parsons Vineyard Shiraz Frankland River $35 92 Mitolo G.A.M. Shiraz McLaren Vale $50 92 Larry Cherubino The Yard Acacia Vineyard Shiraz Western Australia $40 92 Kalleske Greenock Shiraz Barossa Valley $40 92 John Duval Wines Entity Shiraz Barossa Valley $40 92 Charles Cimicky The Autograph Shiraz Barossa Valley $45 91 Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz McLaren Vale $34 91 Shottesbrooke Eliza Shiraz McLaren Vale $39 91 Oliverhill Jimmy Section Shiraz McLaren Vale $35 91 Longwood Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale $40 91 Jacob's Creek Centenary Hill Shiraz Barossa Valley $33 90 The Colonial Estate Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz Barossa Valley $35 90 Taltarni Shiraz Heathcote $35 90 Plantagenet Shiraz Great Southern $35 90 Henry's Drive Dead Letter Shiraz $43 90 Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Lieu dit Malakoff Shiraz Pyrenees $40 90 De Bortoli Estate Grown Shiraz-Viognier Yarra Valley $36 89 Peter Howland Pine Lodge Vineyard Shiraz Mount Barker $35 89 Coates Shiraz McLaren Vale $37 96 d'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz $55 95 Glaetzer Amon Ra Shiraz Barossa Valley $90 95 Elderton Command Shiraz Barossa $83 94 Two Hands Harry and Edward's Garden Shiraz $65 94 Hentley Farm The Beauty Shiraz Barossa Valley $55 94 Henschke Edelstone Shiraz 04 $90 94 Dutschke Oscar Semmler Single Vineyard Reserve Shiraz Barossa Valley $60 94 Clarendon Hills Liandra Syrah Clarendon $78 93 Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz Barossa $85 93 Two Hands Max's Garden Shiraz $65 93 St. Hallett Old Block Shiraz $65 93 Penfolds RWT Shiraz Barossa $82 93 Oriel Sygnet Shiraz McLaren Vale $75 93 Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz Barossa Valley $65 93 Greenock Creek Apricot Block Shiraz Barossa Valley $55 93 Elderton Command Shiraz Barossa $83 93 Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz McLaren Vale $65 93 Clonakilla Shiraz- Viognier Canberra District $61 93 Clarendon Hills Moritz Syrah Clarendon $78 93 Clarendon Hills Liandra Syrah Clarendon $85 93 Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz Barossa $90 92 Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz Barossa Valley $60 92 Teusner Albert Shiraz Barossa Valley $60 92 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz Barossa Valley $56 91 Two Hands Sophie's Garden Shiraz $64 99 Penfolds Grange $200 -900 98 Torbreck RunRig Shiraz-Viognier Barossa Valley $220 98 Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah Clarendon $325 97 Torbreck The Factor Shiraz Barossa Valley $105 96 John Duval Wines Eligo Shiraz Barossa Valley $100 96 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Syrah Clarendon $100 95 Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz Barossa Valley $140 95 Clarendon Hills Brookman Syrah Clarendon $100 94 Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz Barossa $110 94 Hundred Acre Ancient Way Vineyard Summer's Blocks Shiraz Barossa Valley $200 94 Giaconda Warner Vineyard Shiraz Victoria $100 94 Clarendon Hills Piggott Range Syrah Clarendon $150 93 Two Hands Ares Shiraz Barossa Valley $150 93 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Syrah Clarendon $110 92 The Colonial Estate Exile Shiraz Barossa Valley $160 92 Henschke Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz Eden V
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