The lines have been drawn, the swords sharpened and the war horn is about to sing: The Battle has begun! Shiraz has sat proudly in the regal throne of the Barossa, but throughout the region we are seeing a tussle over the crown. Two varietals with heritage just about as old as the old English monarchy, Tempranillo and Garnacha have lineage that puts the lot of Westeros to shame.
Deep ruby red on the eye, with flecks of crimson hue. Bold aromas take in dark cherry and overripe raspberry. The palate charges through with lashings of dark plums, cherries, liquorice, and drops of cherry cola. There's aniseed hints, vanilla spice and some earthy notes. Tannins are subtle and smooth with supple texture to the finish.
Fill your goblet and then have someone stand over you with a palm leaf fanning away the summer heat, have them swap between keeping you cool and feeding you plump grapes, because clearly you won the battle here!
Awards and Accolades
92 Points - Campbell Mattinson, Australian Wine Companion "It’s a fiery blaze of flavour too. If you’ll allow me to suggest; this is money well spent. It’s smoky and sordid and jubey and twiggy, all at once; it spins you around like a Luna Park ride, the combination of sweetness/savouriness/smokiness/spiciness managed quite beautifully. One thing it most definitely is not: boring. And yet it’s immaculately clean to boot."
2014 Vintage: 92 Points - Campbell Mattinson, Australian Wine Companion "Fresh, fruit-driven and perfumed. Seductive in a slippery, succulent way. Flavours of red berries and chocolate bullets. Dusty finish. In short, yum."
From the Winery
The vinous rematch of the 1811 Battle at Barrosa Ridge where Spain fought off attacking French forces. La Conquista! pitches Tempranillo and Garnacha on the attack, ruffling feathers amongst the Barossa Old Guard varieties of French descent. The original Spanish spelling of Barrosa honours the original name given to our Barossa Valley by Colonel Light who fought in the 1811 battle.
Three parcels of Tempranillo were individually matured for seven months, half in used American and French puncheons and half in used French Hogsheads, then blended with Garnacha from 50 year old vines int he Lyndoch foothills. Picked late February, giving the ripe juicy fruit needed to flesh out the structure of Tempranillo's complex and savoury fruit. The final blend is 77% Tempranillo and 23% old vine Garnacha.
Don't Pay: $28.00
WBW Rating: 92/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Barossa Valley, SA
Winemaker: Daniel Chaffey Hartwig
Drink now until: 2021
Alc/Vol: 13.7 %
