"One of my favorite Barossa winemakers, Rick Burge is increasingly moving toward creative blends to showcase the quality of his impeccable winemaking. Most of these dry wines spend time in a combination of French and American hogsheads with some of the cuvees, such as the D & OH, Olive Hill and G3 seeing only French oak. The blends tend to be Down Under versions of Chateauneuf-du-Pape or Gigondas. These are brilliant wines!" Robert Parker

www.burgefamily.com.au

Shiraz Draycott
2003 $51.99
"Burge?s flagship wine is the limited production (480 cases) 2001 Premium Shiraz Draycott (a blend of 90% Shiraz, 6% Mourvedre, and 4% Grenache from vines averaging 40 years in age). Half was aged in French oak and half in American. The 2001 continues the beautiful succession of Draycott cuvees made since 1986. Its saturated purple color is accompanied by aromas of creme de cassis, melted licorice, camphor, and a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied and dense, with stunning purity, a multi layered texture, and a voluptuous finish, this is classic Barossa Shiraz, powerful yet well-balanced. It will drink well for 15+ years. In short, it?s a stunner!" 95 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148

Grenache Old Vines
2002 $27.99 very limited
"From an 80+ year old Grenache vineyard, the 2001 Grenache Old Vines cuvee (aged 12 months in used French wood) tips the scales at 15.5% alcohol, but you would never know that when tasting it. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a big, candied black cherry and currant-scented nose intermixed with notes of licorice and earth. The flavors add a touch of white pepper to the concoction. Fat, expansive, and lush, this hedonistic fruit bomb possesses terrific purity as well as a long, concentrated finish. Yummy! Drink it over the next 3-4 years." 92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148

Clochmerle
2001 $24.99
"A new offering, the 2001 Clochemerle, is a proprietary blend of Grenache (53%), Shiraz (38%), and Mourvedre (9%) that was aged in French and American oak. This dense ruby/purple-colored beauty displays a Chateauneuf du Pape-like bouquet of kirsch liqueur, black fruits as well as hints of wood, dried Provencal herbs, and licorice. Expansive, full-bodied, complex, and already evolved, this Rhone Valley imitation will provide immense enjoyment over the next 5-6 years." 91 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148

Olive Hill 2002
2003 $38.99
"A blend of 50% Shiraz, 35% Grenache and 15% Mourvedre from vines averaging 10 years, aged in 30% new and 70% old French wood. Earthy balsam wood, pepper, dried herb, black cherry, raspberry and plum aromas jump from the glass of this full bodied, rich, firmly structured red. It is beautifully proportioned, pure and impeccably well made. The most elegant offering in this portfolio, it will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age and keep for a decade." 93+ Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #155.

Shiraz/Grenache D&OH
2002 $39.99
"A small cuvee of 300 cases is a blend of 74% Shiraz (40 years old) and 36% Grenache (12 years old) aged in 100% French oak barrels, of which 10% are new. It offers up a Rhone like bouquet of ground pepper, black cherries, blackberries, earth and spice. Dense , opulent, full bodied and rich, with extraordinary balance and elegance, this is a stunning example of of the 2002 vintage that com,bines power with finesse. It should drink well for 5-7 years." 94 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #155
"Vibrant aromas of blackberry, licorice and minerals lifted by floral perfume. Juicy and tightly wound, with very primary, mouthcoating flavors of crushed berries. Like the Clochemerle, this offers impressive energy and sap. Finishes very long, with broad, palate-dusting tannins and a hint of alcoholic warmth. I'd give this a couple years in the cellar." 90(+?) Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-04

G3
2002 sold out
"The awesome G3 is a world class offering that hits every sweet spot on the palate as well as anybody's G spot. Dense purple to the rim, with a remarkably complex nose of black fruits, lavender and acacia flowers, vanilla and sweet red as well as black fruits, this gorgeous blend sees no new oak, being aged completely in neutral French barrels for approximately one year prior to bottling. Elegant, concentrated and powerful, it builds incrementally in the mouth offering multiple dimensions in addition to fabulous length. Already approachable, it should continue to evolve for a decade." 96 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #155
"52% Grenache, 42% Shiraz and 6% Mourvedre) Bright medium ruby. Crushed blackberry, licorice, tar and spices on the nose; pure but less expressive today than the Olive Hill. Then impressively lush and sweet in the mouth, with a more pliant texture than the other current reds from this producer. Offers excellent palate presence (this is 15.5% alcohol) but is not quite as complex or showy today as the Olive Hill. Ends with big, broad, sweet tannins that are thoroughly enrobed in the wine's sweet finishing fruit. A very impressive set of wines from this strong vintage." 91(+?) Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-04

The Renoux
2002 $31.99
"(Includes 54% Shiraz with the balance 24% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon) Attractive leathery, earthy, black currant, herb, licorice and vanilla characteristics are found in the elegant, medium bodied red. Drink over the next 5-6 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #155

A Grateful Palate Selection