A Barossa beauty that will sell out fast! Double gold and blue gold already; what a feast of value and quality in the one package. The last vintage we thought was a monty that would take ages to beat on quality but this new vintage blew me away.
Dark red and rich in colour it is most appealing in the glass. The nose is big hint on quality with monster purple plush plums with white pepper, some cassis and a hint of charcuterie. These elements translate well into the mouth balanced by yummy smooth tannins and a line of clean acid through the middle. Subtle chocolate and cedar elements are present throughout maintaining balance.
It’s got more than enough medals and awards behind it for past vintages to warrant consideration, and like previous vintages this one pulls all the punches and will simply reward you for smart buying.
PAST ACCOLADES AND AWARDS:
Kemeny's Perpetual Trophy For Best Value Dry Red Table Wine At 2014 Sydney International Wine Challenge Top 100 & Blue Gold At 2014 Sydney International Wine Challenge
Silver At 2015 Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards Silver At 2014 Royal Queensland Wine Show Silver At 2013 National Wine Show
BRONZE: 2015 San Francisco International Wine Competition 2014 Visy Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2014 Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2014 New World Wine Awards (Nz) 2014 Barossa Wine Show 2014 New Zealand International Wine Show 2013 Hobart Wine Show 2015 Macquarie Sydney Royal Wine Show The 2014 Perth Royal Wine Show 2014 International Wine Challenge
WINE GUIDE, THE AGE, RALPH KYTE-POWELL, JULY 2014: 90 This Barossa shiraz could easily sell for more. It’s surprisingly complex, with a core of jammy berry characters, fruitcakey spice and richness, a flinty touch, and a succulent palate. (Screw cap; 14 per cent alcohol.) Ageing? Drink over 2 years. Food ideas Lamb burgers; eggplant lasagne.
JOHN HAWKESBY, CANVAS MAGAZINE, JULY 2014: Any shiraz from Australia’s Barossa Valley is guaranteed to storm the barricades of any palate. Big, rich and ripe but not aggressive, this has loads of berry fruit and spicy oak character with ripe plum and toasty, woody flavours matched with soft, round tannins. A savoury style perfect with chops, casseroles or a chunky piece of steak. This is a classic Barossa shiraz, don’t hold back on the onions.
SUNDAY CANBERRA TIMES, JUNE 2014: David Clarke and family own 275 hectares of vineyards at three locations along the Eden Valley hills – between Truro in the north and Mount Crawford to the south – and one on the Barossa Valley floor, slightly south of Tanunda. These lie in the Eden Valley and Barossa Valley wine regions – which combined form the large Barossa zone, the appellation used on Sandpiper Shiraz. From these vineyards winemaker Helen McCarthy makes a range of excellent wines, including this generous, satisfying shiraz. It combines bright, plump, ripe varietal flavour with a sympathetic touch of oak and soft tannins characteristic of Barossa shiraz.
Don't Pay: $22.00
WBW Rating: 95/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Barossa Valley, SA
