When you receive such an amazing set of endorsements from James Halliday, it tells us a story of the rewards for all of the efforts that we and our growers have put into the growing and making of wines that we want to be recognised as being world class.
The elation of having our wines declared to be of such high standing - is testimony to a beautiful wine region, a group of dedicated farming families, a bunch of lads in a small winery and a non-waivering committment to bring you nothing but the best in our wines. To say we are stoked would be an understatement!
97 points - 2016 Hoffmann 100 Year Old Block Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz
100+yo vines from the Ebenezer district, the usual 50% new/50% used French hogsheads. Seductive, opulent flavours with dark chocolate, soft tannins and a juicy aftertaste. This is the most instantaneously attractive wine of the group, the 50% new oak either cause or effect - your choice.
97 points – 2016 Gobell Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz
150yo vines in Marananga, the usual whole berry 10-day open fermentation with two cultured yeasts at 22-25 degrees C. A single barrel (as for most), thus 100% new or used, here new, most 18-19 months maturation, most French. Old vine super-intensity, yet has the balance needed for a 20-40 year maturation (cork dependent). Black fruits, touches of licorice and tar, very firm, but ripe, tannins. An organoleptic comment is that the format means oak plays a large part in these single barrel flagship wines, this one fighting back with the depth of its full-bodied palate.
97 points – 2016 106 Vines Barossa Valley Mourvedre
Whole berry open-fermented, 7-10 days on skins, basket-pressed, matured for 19 months in used French hogsheads, 60 dozen made. 106 100+yo vines has a good ring to it, and the wine celebrates its ongoing life with a spring in its step. Atypical freshness and elegance can also be attributed to its very modest alcohol. Its essence is silky plum fruit flavours, superfine tannins and exceptional balance.
97 Point wines only availble in a rare Trio Pack Click here for more details.
96 points - 2016 Kroehn Single Vineyard Eden Valley Shiraz
20+yo vines from the Eden Valley township. Slightly lighter colour, and likewise body, the result a more elegant style. Juicy black fruits flow across the palate in convincing style. Eden Valley is key for me.
96 points – 2016 Defiant Barossa Valley Mataro
From old vines in Marananga and Vine Vale, whole berries open-fermented, 7-10 days on skins, basket-pressed, matured for 19 months in used French hogsheads. Very good colour, full and bright; spicy forest berries on the bouquet lead into a medium-bodied palate that has remarkable drive, precision and freshness to its dark berry/cherry fruits and ripe tannins.
95 points - 2016 Hampel Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz
16yo vines from Kalimna, a single barrel made. Superb colour; very high quality fruit flavours, but needing time for the oak to integrate. These vines must be stars on a weight for age measure. The palate has an almost slinky length, and you lose the oak on retasting (or rather, multiple retastings).
94 points - 2016 Slow Grown Barossa Shiraz
Mostly old vines from five districts, matured for 19 months in American and French hogsheads (30% new). An attractive, juicy medium to full-bodied palate, ripe fine tannins. Right in the heart of the Soul Growers style.
94 points – 2016 Barossa Valley El Mejor
70% cabernet sauvignon, 15% each of shiraz and mourvedre, open-fermented, matured for 21 months in one new French hogshead and one new American hogshead, 60 dozen made. This vinification has produced a gnarly, black, tarry wine that is full-bodied but doesn't show the tannins that are often packed into the framework of such styles. Given the micro-production, finessing would have been more than usually difficult.
94 points – 2016 Persistence Barossa Valley Grenache
52yo vines at Marananga and Vine Vale, whole berries open-fermented, 7-10 days on skins, matured for 18 months in used French hogsheads. The choice of 100% old oak was 100% correct, but 19 months is open for discussion. The grenache is so good it hasn't lost its varietal character - this is a very enjoyable wine, the second glass apt to follow the first without undue delay.
92 points - 2017 Soul Sister Barossa Valley Rose
Old vine cinsaut, destemmed, cool-fermented in tank after the saignee was bled off. Bright colour; a rare beast indeed. The only 100% cinsaut rose? Whatever be the answer, this is a classy wine, the red fruits zesty and taking no prisoners. Smart finish.