Craneford Basket Pressed Shiraz 2023
G 92
The fruit for this Shiraz has come from a range of Barossa vineyards which the team have aimed to pick at peak ripeness to enhance flavours. Basket pressing took place, as the name suggests, with maturation for a year and a half in French oak hogsheads, 30% new. Maroon, with a purple rim, the nose reveals notes of dry herbs, a mix of red and dark fruits, bay leaves, cassis, cranberries, liquorice, earth and mushrooms. Medium length here, through to fine tannins. The oak is deftly handled, and gives a hint of vanilla to the wine as well. The intensity does fade a fraction quicker than one might wish, to place it among the absolutely elite level Barossa Shiraz. Given that we don’t see this elsewhere in this range, I’m wondering if perhaps the vintage played a role. Enjoy this over the next 6–7 years. Drink now–2032 Curator Shiraz 2023 G 92 The fruit here is sourced from a range of plots from the estate Marananga vineyard. There are 10% whole bunches included in the ferment, which is with wild yeasts, before maturation for 16 months in French oak, 15% of which were new. Under Diam. An inky black colour here with a maroon rim. The nose is redolent of ripe blackberries and black cherries with leather, chocolate, tar, smoked meats and bay leaves. The oak is integrating well and the wine has impressive length. A mid- weight, medium-length style, perhaps a little broad, with a gentle fade. Supple texture with sleek tannins, the attractive flavours are surely the highlight. Enjoy this over the next 6–8 years. Drink now–2033 Dandelion Vineyards Wonderland of the Eden Valley Riesling 2025 G 92 A deeper-set floral note starts this variation, orchard blossom and lavender, with some drive in the palate, more grassy and soursob-like than hard-core lemon flesh. A softly touched finish gives this an attractive approachability. Drink now–2032 Eden Hall Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 G 92 From a superb vintage for the region, this is a blend of Eden Valley and Barossa fruit, made by Phil Lehmann, who has quickly established a reputation as one of the region’s best winemakers, very much following in family footsteps. The colour here is a deep magenta with the nose giving us aromas of plums, black cherries, spices, cloves, aniseed and blackcurrants. This is quite an austere style for the region, at least in these early days – nothing wrong with that – and offers a tannin/acid balance that is quite mouth-puckering. Best left for at least three to five years before drinking it over the next decade. A wine of moderate weight and decent length. Drink 2030–2040.
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The Vintage Journal
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