The Barossa Mag Summer 2018-19 | Page 58

58 | T HE B A R OSSA M AG // W I NE REVIEWS PENFOLDS LOT 1990 POT DISTILLED SINGLE BATCH BRANDY PENFOLDS RWT BIN 798 BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ 2016 TURKEY FLAT SHIRAZ 2016 A wonderfully evocative and complex brandy that seamlessly and masterfully morphs the magnificence of a remarkable old brandy with the complexity of a hint of Grandfather and a tweak of young oak. In mere mortal hands, such creativity could make for a disjoint style, but here James Godfrey's lifetime of experience make for an alluringly silky smoothness and harmony. It's deeply powerful in complexity, profoundly enduring in persistence and yet elegant and delicate in poise and balance. A remarkable achievement. An impressively deep, bright purple hue heralds an RWT of great stature and spine. This is a commanding vintage that delivers powerful, spicy fruit, while lacking nothing in structural assuredness of firm, fine tannin endurance. It culminates in a finish of impeccable line and enduring persistence. One of the greats in the twenty year history of RWT, and set to go down among the longest lived. Here's living, glorious proof that the epic 2015 Turkey Flat Shiraz was no one hit wonder. Mark Bulman is in a deep purple patch, and the character and focus he's built into this wine are something to behold. Tapping the black fruit power and exotic spice depth of 1847 vines, it captures impeccable poise and endurance, thanks to delightfully structured, super-fine tannins. Patience. penfolds.com penfolds.com turkeyflat.com.au 98 POINTS $425 96 POINTS $200 95 POINTS $49 PENFOLDS BIN 150 MARANANGA SHIRAZ 2016 HENSCHKE THE WHEELWRIGHT VINEYARD EDEN VALLEY SHIRAZ 2015 PETER LEHMANN MARGARET BAROSSA SEMILLON 2011 This is a Marananga of fine-grained, structural confidence, with the juicy, spicy red and black berry fruits of the district uniting with classic milk chocolate to compelling effect. A core of impressive, focused fruit integrity carries from start through long finish. A great Marananga with a strong future before it. A quintessential Eden Valley Shiraz, spicy and vibrant, telling the tale of one of the higher reaches of the central Eden Valley in tangy, spicy, dark berry fruits, fine-ground tannins and outstanding persistence. A characterful wine that defines another piece to the tapestry of Eden Valley districts. The cool 2011 season has chiselled out a tightly honed Margaret of cut lemon grass, upholding youthful vibrancy and considerable energy at seven years of age. Subtle notes of butterscotch and lanolin are only beginning to emerge on a long finish marked out by focused line and great stamina. penfolds.com henschke.com peterlehmannwines.com 94 POINTS $100 94 POINTS $130 94 POINTS $35 DUTSCHKE GHR NEIGHBOURS GODS HILL ROAD SHIRAZ 2016 PENFOLDS BIN 138 BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ GRENACHE MATARO 2016 PENFOLDS BIN 51 EDEN VALLEY RIESLING 2018 This is an action-packed release for GHR, brimming with Barossa black fruits of the kind normally reserved for much more expensive labels, backed with dark chocolate oak and firm, fine tannins. For all of its impact, it upholds classic Dutschke brightness and succulence. Dark berry, black cherry, plum and stewed rhubarb fruits declare the depth of a relatively dry season in the Barossa, framed in firm, fine-grained, dry tannins. Shiraz assumes a confident lead, making for an unashamedly full-bodied SGM of spicy fruit focus and lingering persistence. A mandarin and tangelo exoticism leads out, telling the tale of a growing season of above average temperatures, flowing into a tense palate of taut lemon and lime juice. A touch of phenolic grip brings firmness to the structure of a finish of great persistence. A Riesling of full-flavoured concentration and structural tension. dutschkewines.com penfolds.com penfolds.com 92 POINTS $25 92 POINTS $60 92 POINTS $40 HENSCHKE HENRY'S SEVEN BAROSSA 2016 TURKEY FLAT BUTCHERS BLOCK SHIRAZ 2017 YALUMBA OLD BUSH VINE GRENACHE 2017 A beautifully spicy and fruity take on Eden Valley Shiraz co-fermented with Barossa viognier, with medium-bodied restraint that speaks more of the personality of Grenache than its 15% representation might suggest. It’s succulent elegant, culminating in beautifully managed, very fine tannins. Setting the pace for the modern face of Barossa Shiraz, this is a flamboyant style that celebrates the exotic lift and fragrant spice of whole bunch fermentation. With no new oak to speak of, it's brimming with juicy dark berry fruits and structured with fine, supple tannins. It's versatile at the table and eminently spice-ready. The child of vines largely between 35 and 80 years of age, this is a light-bodied, lunchtime grenache of rhubarb, leaf and yellow plum character. It carries the grip of fine tannin structure to draw out a long finish. A versatile style that will enjoy tapas with a light chill. henschke.com turkeyflat.com.au yalumba.com 92 POINTS $37 91 POINTS $22 90 POINTS $21