Winemaker Christian Canute was born and raised in the vineyard. Literally. He comes from an old Barossa grape growing family and when he was an infant, his mother would drag his crib through the vineyard as she pruned. Now, at the ripe old age of 24, the l?enfant terrible of the Barossa Valley is drawing the attention of the wine world to his family?s vineyards, located on the valley floor. The vines were planted in the very early 70?s and the property is surrounded by ?Grange? vineyards. There can be no question but that the Rusden grapes spring from some of the finest vineyard soil on the planet. Denis Canute used to sell the grapes to other wineries but set up a winery on the property as Christian became a more accomplished winemaker (stints at Rockford and Torbreck set him off on the right track). Rusden has become known for their Grenache, ?Black Guts? Shiraz, and Cabernet but they achieved true notoriety for their Chenin Blanc and Zinfandel. Definitely a producer to watch.

"A protege of Barossa maven Chris Ringland, youngish Christian Canute, one of the region's up and coming stars, is doing splendid work as evidenced by the following offerings." Robert Parker

Vintage Blend #1
2001 $27.99 limited
"This is a French-styled red possessing considerable complexity, moderate-weight (by Australian standards), and an enduring personality. The 2001 Blend #1 is brilliant. There are 300 cases of this 60% Grenache/40% Shiraz cuvee. It boasts a deep ruby/purple color, terrific fruit intensity, and a big nose of kirsch, blackberries, cherries, and currants. Peppery, spicy, and sweet (from glycerin and ripeness), with a lush, succulent finish, it will provide a hedonistic as well as complex glass of wine over the next 5-6 years." 91 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148

Driftsand
2002 $29.99
"(65% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and 10% Shiraz) Exhibits a Cote du Rhone like nose of ground pepper, loamy balsam wood, kirsch liqueur and pepper in an elegant, medium bodied, already delicious style. It will drink well for 3-4 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #155

Cabernet Sauvignon Boundaries
2001 sold out

Cabernet/Shiraz Ripper Creek
2002 $35.99
"(60% cabernet/40% Shiraz) A surprising effort of considerable individuality, it exhibits notions of scorched earth, blueberries, black currants and licorice. With tremendous intensity, full bodied power and beautifully integrated acidity and tannins and no evidence of wood, it is a gorgeously textured red ( a characteristic of all the Rusden offerings) that can be drunk young or cellared for a decade or mode." 94 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #155
"Currant, tobacco leaf, truffle and smoke on the nose, plus a whiff of asparagus. Dense and concentrated, combining a strong shiraz sweetness with slightly green cabernet flavors of truffle and tobacco leaf. Finishes with very fine tannins." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-04

Shiraz Black Guts
2001 sold out
" Aromas of roasted meat and oak, with a lurking note of asparagus. Super sweet, thick and concentrated, with gamey, truffley flavors showing a distinct asparagus vegetility. Impressively long and quite oaky on the back. An extreme style of shiraz." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-04

Grenache Christine's
2002 $31.99
"Grown in pure sand Christine's is a 100% Grenache cuvee aged in neutral French oak prior to being bottled unfiltered. Its gorgeous Pinot Noir like perfume of sweet cherry liqueur intermixed with strawberries minerals, pepper and earth is followed by a wine of undeniable elegance, richness and intensity." 93 Robert Parker, The Wine advocate #155
"Liqueur-like aromas of red berries and truffle. Sweet flavors of raspberry, truffle, spices and game are kept fresh by the wine's slightly dry berry skin edge. Finishes with light tannins and a late burst of strawberry and raspberry." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-04

Zinfandel
2001 $56.99

Zinfandel Chookshed
2002 sold out
"From 35-year-old vines; aged in new French and American barrels. Pungent aromas of raw berries, mocha, baking spices, fresh herbs and oak. Super sweet and thick but leavened by strong acids and lifted by mint and weedy notes. A fruit bomb of a zinfandel, with the green notes often shown by this variety, which is characterized by uneven ripening even within clusters. Finishes with an intriguing quality and very sweet tannins. This would be a perfect accompaniment to blue cheese. Idiosyncratic wine, but it works for me." 90 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-04

A Grateful Palate Selection