Wolf Blass Sapphire Label Trio

**Available for delivery week commencing 15th May**

Wolf Blass launched the first collection of Sapphire labelled sub-regional Barossa Shiraz wines from the excellent 2012 vintage. These sub-regional Shiraz each represents a critical marker along their traditional source route.  It lay in a straight line through the centre of the valley from Lyndoch in the south, right through the heart at Dorrien and north to St John’s, then following a sweeping eastern arc over the far side of the winery to Moculta in the northern reaches of Eden Valley.

The winemaking for all three Shiraz follows the same path in order best to tease out the sub-regional differences.  Harvested at optimum maturity, fruit from individual blocks is crushed separately and fermented in small open-top fermenters. A mix of plunging and gentle pumping over is used to optimise flavour, colour and tannin extraction. The wines are left on skins until dry to lengthen tannins and enhance palate line and finish. Each is matured in 60-75% seasoned and 25%-40% new French oak barrels for 18 months.   In Australia, the wines retail for around $90 each.

2016 Dorrien Shiraz

Stuart McCloskey “Take me now the bouquet shouts – Wonderfully inviting (lavish) with heady scents of cassis, blueberry, mulberry, plum, orange zest, sweet spices too. By contrast, the palate / flavour profile is more reserved, a direct result of the wine’s geography, the entire point of the exercise… I wouldn’t call it ‘fine-boned.’ Elegant, yes, however, the fruit is ripe and plush – the entry is sweet and moreish. Blackcurrant, plum compote juxtaposed with a healthy dose of earth and wood. Dry mint and dark chocolate on the finish, which goes on for an age (perhaps longer!). Relatively speaking, this feels ‘young’ and will continue to evolve for a decade or so. Decanted for a few hours and served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

2016 St John's Shiraz

Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet comes across more savoury compared to the Dorrien. Fresh mint, eucalyptus, seaweed, clove, cinnamon, anise, black liquorice, pot pourri and blueberry. Saddle leather arises signalling the starting of the ageing process. Everything is seasoned with a healthy dash of sea salt. Glorious… The sweet entry flows to a yielding mid-palate – fleshy but showing more structure and tension than the Dorrien. Freshness is heightened and works a charm with the ripe, generous fruit. There’s shape and form, but this wine flows to the tune of plushness - the slippery movement brings a whopping smile to my face. Full marks for the deliverance of absolute pleasure. Drink now to 2030+. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

2016 Lyndoch Shiraz

Stuart McCloskey “2016 was a great vintage and this shows all the hallmarks. What a bouquet – wow! Coal, graphite, cooling metal, red and blackcurrant, blueberry pastille, crème de mûre, sweet spice, sage – wonderfully exotic. What a start – faultless, in a word. The palate is suave - velvet-like. The layers of flavours sit more with red-berried fruits. Out of the three – this one has more grace along with sophistication. There’s more tension and acidity. The tannins are slender, neat and tidy. Ultimately, this comes across more grown-up and requires a touch more concentration. My favourite of the three and comes with a huge stamp of approval. Drink now to 2030+. Decant for a few hours. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”