Bethany LE Shiraz 2022
G 96
For me, this is the star of the premium collection for this vintage. The fruit is sourced from a single vineyard in the Flaxman Valley sub-region of the Eden Valley. The fine 2022 vintage seems ideally suited to providing refinement and elegance in the best reds from that region. This wine is a tribute to Lawrence and Edna Schrapel who, for more than half a century, were custodians of the Bethany vineyard. Under cork. A whole berry fermentation was followed by a year and a half of maturation in a combination of French oak hogsheads and puncheons, 72% new. A very dark maroon colour, with purple rim, chocolate, plums, spices, blackberries, mocha, violets and vanilla are all present on the nose. There is seriously impressive oak integration here. The palate is ripe and lifts further, making this a most exuberant style. On the palate we see the move to flavours of mocha, coffee beans and cassis. Richly flavoured, this is absolutely delicious and will drink beautifully over the next 15–20 years. The wine finishes with wonderful length and the silkiest of tannins. Drink now–2045 Burge Family Winemakers Draycott Shiraz 2021 G 96 Now we are right into the exciting stuff. This glorious Barossa Shiraz from the wonderful 2021 vintage, under cork, is opaque purple in colour. The nose ranges through a veritable peacock’s tail of aromas, including chocolate, coffee beans, smoked meats, a touch of vanilla and cinnamon, mocha and liquorice. Excellent oak integration, the wine is balanced with focus, a seductive texture and yet serious intensity, silky tannins and wonderful persistence. This will handle 15 years or more in the cellar with ease, but provide pleasure at any time along the journey. Love it. Drink now–2040 Château Tanunda 100-Year-Old Vines Shiraz 2023 G 96 What a treat wine lovers in Australia can enjoy, with shiraz vines going back over 100 years. These are dry-grown bush vines and the grapes are fermented in small open fermenters with regular hand-plunging. Under cork, 492 dozen were made. An opaque maroon colour, with a dark rim, there is good oak integration proceeding here. The nose gives us notes of chocolate, coffee beans, cocoa powder, aniseed, graphite, black fruits and plums, as well as hints of vanilla from the oak. There is good intensity and a lingering finish. On the palate we see a move to notes of soy, cloves and the aniseed really emerging. The wine finishes with satiny tannins and will drink beautifully over the next 10–20 years. Drink now–2045 Chateau Tanunda 50 Year Old Vines ` Shiraz 2022 G 96 Deep crimson. Richly raspberry, dark cherry aromas with roasted walnut, marzipan notes. Smooth and velvety textured with attractive sweet fruits, sinuous melting tannins and underlying aniseed notes. Lovely chocolaty finish. Archetypal Barossa Shiraz with medium- to long-term ageing potential. Drink now–2035
70
The Vintage Journal
Powered by FlippingBook