"These are prototypical Southern Australian reds with exuberant personalities, loads of fruit and plenty of spicy oak. They are aged primarily in American oak, although French wood is gradually being introduced into the wines' upbringing.' Robert Parker,

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Shiraz Reserve
50% of the vines are 25 years old, and the remaining vines between between 13 and 20 years old. All fruit was hand picked and fermented in traditional open fermenters and the cap plunged regularly for maximum extraction. On completion of fermentation the skins were pressed using a basket press. The resultant wine was then aged for 20 months in American Oak barriques. A blend of two separate coopers and different age oak namely 40% new A. P. John, 30% one year old, and 30% two year old Babidge. The resultant wine is deep red with a touch of purple youthfulness on the rim. A powerful bouquet of red berry fruits and dominant spicy, smoky oak are featured. The palate is a complex combination of fruit and oak well balanced with acid and fine grain tannin providing a clean finish. A well balanced wine that can be drunk now in it's youth or cellared for many years . We believe this to be a worthy follow up wine to the famous 1998 Reserve and given good cellaring will drink well for the next 2 to 8 years.
2001 $54.99 limited
"The blockbuster 2001 Shiraz Reserve is the antithesis of its two siblings. Produced from 15-20-year old vines, this limited cuvee boasts an in-your-face bouquet of chocolate, espresso, blackberries, and currants, tremendous opulence, density, as well as thickness, and a full-bodied, long finish. The tannin is sweet enough that the wine can be enjoyed now, but it should age gracefully for a decade or more." 94 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148

Shiraz OId Vines
All fruit has been sourced from the same vineyards in Clare Valley since 1993 . The oldest vines were planted in 1892 and the youngest in 1972, while the average vine age exceeds 80 years. Most of the fruit, in the order of 90%, is sourced from the Sevenhill district with the remaining 10 % from Northern Clare or sometimes, as in 1998 from Blewitt Springs. Trellising is standard single cordon but with foliage lifting wires to gain better exposure to the sun and more even ripeness at vintage time. The fruit from the wind swept hill top is crushed first and fermentation begins, then as the other blocks ripen the fruit is crushed and added to the original ferment. This technique results in a longer ferment of up to 12 days, with higher flavor and tannin extraction rates. Maturation takes place in new and reconditioned barrels for 12 to 14 months. Generally 40 to 50% of the Hogsheads are new, with the remaining ranging from 1 year old to 3 year old.
2001 $35.99
"The 2001 Shiraz Old Vines was no better than the Victor, largely because some of Clare Valley?s notorious bay leaf, thyme, and Provencal herb notes were a bit too obvious. I admired the wine, and the longer it sat in the glass, the higher its score rose. This dense ruby/purple-colored Shiraz begins to strut its stuff as it sits in the glass, revealing secondary aromas of graphite, blackberries, and cherries in a surprisingly measured, restrained yet intensely flavored format. It should drink well for 7-10 years." 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148

Shiraz / Grenache The Victor
70% Shiraz and 30% Grenache, from fruit grown in the Clare Valley. The Grenache is sourced from old dry grown bush vines in Watervale (from Victor's vineyard). These old vines were planted in 1946 and the soils range from black alluvial loam to red clay over sheet limestone. The Shiraz component was sourced from three different vineyards in Northern Clare. Both the Shiraz and Grenache are handmade using traditional methods - small two ton open fermenters, hand plunged and basket pressed prior to spending 10 months in older French and American oak. Shiraz provides the structure, and Grenache the fruit sweetness and approachability.
2002 $15.99 very limited
"A great value ... the emphasis is on ?great,? is the 2002 The Victor, a 3,000-case blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Grenache. It exhibits surprising elegance (a characteristic of the 2002 vintage) along with tell-tale toasty oak as well as sweet, dense, black cherry, and black currant fruit notes. This deep ruby/purple-colored, medium-bodied 2002 is surprisingly defined and stylish. It is hard to believe a wine of this stature, gracefulness, and intensity can be purchased for $18 (probably even lower at discount shops). Consume it over the next 5-6 years." 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148
"Bright and refined, with pretty blackberry, pepper, floral and beefy aromas and flavors, finishing in harmony. Shiraz and Grenache. Drink now through 2005. 1,024 cases imported." The Wine Spectator 12/15/02

Cabernet / Shiraz Swinton
The Swinton Vineyard is situated in Coromandel Valley, and has been owned and operated by Angus and Maria Archibald and their family since 1849. The vineyard is surrounded by houses in the southern foothills of Adelaide, South Australia and is the last remaining vineyard in the valley. As a keepsake Angus and his father planted a small 1/2 acre plot with Cabernet Sauvignon in 1972. This small plot is now the core of our blend with fruit from newer plantings 1993 and 1995 being added to the blend as the vines mature. Fruit from a new Merlot planting will be used in the 2001 blend. The vineyard is North facing with calcareous clay and limestone soils. Drip irrigation is employed throughout, but is only turned on for the young vines or several times in January and February if the season is particularly hot.
2001 $27.99

A Grateful Palate Selection