-
98
/ 100
Wine Pilot -
97
/ 100
James Halliday
Red
Classification
Shiraz
Variety
2015
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
South Australia, Barossa Valley
Region
14.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
98 / 100"This is the big gun. As is usual, the grapes are hand-picked, before destemming. The grapes are from Block 3 within the vineyard, planted in 1996. They are fermented with wild yeast in the usual 5 tonne open top fermenters with twice daily pumpovers. After fermentation the wine is basket-pressed, both free-run juice and pressings, into 225-litre French oak barriques, 100% new. It is left to mature for two years before careful barrel selection which determines what makes the cut. Previously, only 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2013 have been released. This is one of those utterly beguiling Barossa shiraz which is a bit like drinking Christmas cake. Plush and supple with glorious aromas. Violets, tobacco leaf, leather, cloves, coffee beans, liquorice, chocolate and mocha. Lots of chocolate. Dried fig, cassis and yet more chocolate. Cedar, vanilla and even some delicatessen notes. This is a wine which is generous in every way. No doubt it will age for many years and improve over the course of time. But if you can keep your hands off it for long then, as they say in the classics, you are a better man than I am, Gungadin."
- Wine Pilot
97 / 100
"Hand-picked, open-fermented, matured in French barriques (50% new) for 24 months, then a barrel selection. The colour is deep crimson-purple, the bouquet with sultry black fruits (mainly berry but some currant), licorice and plum. The term 'mouthfilling' is usually a good one for a palpably luscious and generous wine, here The Gander takes possession of the word, denying its use by any other full-bodied red wine."
- James Halliday
Tasting Notes
A grand marque Barossa Valley Shiraz in the classic mode, crafted from the highest classification of fruit grown in our estate vineyards.
The wine is almost black in glass such is the concentration and intensity of the character of this wine. On the nose there is an alluring bouquet of violets, black cherry, blueberry compote, black plums and Christmas spice. The palate is resplendent with rich black plum, black currant, olive tapenade flavours and nuances of cedar and vanilla from new French oak cellar maturation for 24 months. Dusty mouth-coating tannins envelop the fruit core, providing length and definition.
A wine that will reward long-term cellaring of 20 -25 years.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
- Smooth
- Complex