Barossa Wine Guide 2025

Dandelion Vineyards Damsel of the Barossa Merlot 2023

Earthworks Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

G 92

Damsel always represents the best old vine Merlot the team can offer from its own vineyards. The wine finishes fermentation in older French oak barriques and then spends a year and a half maturing in that same oak. The colour is a deep crimson/ garnet. The immediate impression on the nose is of rich fruitcake notes. There are hints of dried herbs and plum pudding along with mulberries and raspberries, before some chocolate emerges on the palate. A wine of medium length with fine sleek tannins. Attractive drinking now and over the next three to six years. Drink now–2030 Dandelion Vineyards March Hare of the Barossa Mataro 2022 G 92 March Hare seems a good moniker for this variety – you’d need to be a bit crazy to be making wine from it, but when you do, it certainly leaves an impression. Apparently, my version of the reasoning behind the name has no validation and the reality it that the vineyard can be overrun with hares attacking the grapes when they first start to colour (the grapes, not the hares). The vineyard is at Marananga and the wine spent 20 months maturing in older French oak barriques. The colour is a vibrant but inky dark purple. The nose swirls through aromas of plums, cassis, florals, chocolate, black cherries and liquorice. This is rich and bold. The structure provides a firm palate with sleek tannins. The length is good, but the wine remains firm for the full journey. An attractive example of Mataro and one which is very much true to the variety. Enjoy for the next 10 to 12 years. Drink now–2036 Earthworks Barossa Shiraz 2022 G 92 Sourced from a range of growers throughout the Barossa, the wine spent 10 months maturing in a mix of French, American and Hungarian oak. Crimson/purple, there are aromas of roast meats, dark fruits, warm earth, florals, raspberries and plums. Good length here with impressive intensity and sleek tannins so would be perfect for a steak or a good barbecue. Good value to enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drink now–2032 Earthworks Barossa Tempranillo 2022 G 92 Spain’s famous variety transported to South Australia where it underwent a cool fermentation. This is a bright crimson in colour with the nose suggesting red fruits, especially cherries and raspberries, with spices and vanilla. Showing juicy acidity, fine tannins and good length, this is a mouthwatering style, which lingers nicely with a hint of sour cherries on the finish. Enjoy this now and over the next four to five years. Drink now–2029

As with their Shiraz, the fruit for this easy drinking Cabernet is sourced from a number of Barossa growers and then matured in a mix of French, Hungarian and American oak, only here it is for 12 months. Dark magenta hue, the nose shows notes of bay leaves and bacon fat, black fruits, dark plums and tobacco leaves. There is good generosity here and a lingering finish. Good balance, fine tannins, a meaty palate all combine to assist in making this an attractive style for enjoying over the rest of the decade. Drink now–2034 Eden Hall Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 G 92 Deep crimson. Lifted blackcurrant, leafy touch sage/violet aromas with liquorice notes. Inky deep wine with attractive cassis leafy, parma violet flavours, fine grainy, touch sinewy tannins, very good mid-palate volume and fresh long acidity, Builds up muscular firm at the finish. 14.5% alc Drink now–2030 Eden Hall Springton Riesling Riesling 2024 G 92 Attractive florals to begin, aided by delicate lemon notes bridging neatly from nose to palate. Quite compact, with a lengthy drive honed by well integrated acidity and pithy textures. A subtle expression in a tightly finished package. Drink now–2030 Genista Duck Duck Cat Grenache 2022 G 92 The Grenache here is sourced from the family’s single acre, planted in the Barossa back in 1944. The name comes from the two ducks and a cat which they adopted, thanks to the work of the local Barossa Wildlife Rescue. And that, in turn, leads to $3 from the sale of every bottle of this wine being donated to the BWR. The colour is a pale crimson. The nose exhibits notes of strawberries, florals, spices, mulberries and even a little chocolate. The most entrancing aspect is a joyful strawberries and cream note. Fresh with a silky texture and sleek tannins, the wine has very good length. Enjoy it now and over the next three to five years. Drink now–2029 Gibson Mr Darling Merlot 2022 G 92 This fine Barossa Merlot is a tribute to Rob Gibson’s wife, Anne. The fruit comes from an estate vineyard at Light Pass. Dark maroon hue, the nose is all warmer climate Merlot with plums, warm earth, coffee grinds, cherries, blackberries, bay leaves and darker fruits, moving to hints of Christmas cake on the palate. Finely structured, with a good focus, supple texture and sleek tannins. Attractive now, this will continue to drink well for the next six to eight years. Drink now–2032

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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus

South Australia 2024

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