2005 Gibson Barossa Shiraz

Rob Gibson is regarded as Australia’s foremost viticulturist – whose services are high in demand internationally. His ability to understand the interaction of soils, climate and vines are legendary, as is his philosophy of creating tension in vines rather than stress in order to produce exceptional wine. His expertise comes as no surprise when one learns he was head viticulturist of the Penfolds Grange Vineyards for a number of years. This outstanding Shiraz is a blend of 82% Barossa Valley Shiraz, 9% McLaren Vale Shiraz and 9% Barossa Valley Cabernet. The 2005 growing season was mild in the Barossa and cool in November and December. January and February were warm and dry. Gibson states “Yields were good & styles were big & fleshy. Shiraz was generous and plummy in flavour. Harvested in late March. A much smaller blend than normal with only 730 dozen produced.”

In order to gain maximum complexity, a number of different vineyard sites were selected. “From Stockwell, Wilfreda and Becker, and from Lyndoch, Max’s’ Gods Hill (1999 planting). The Wilfreda 1973 and Becker 1969-70 plantings needed no irrigation. The brown silty loams over red clays held ample water without allowing too much vigour. The Gods Hill vineyard called Max’s is located high on a hill overlooking Lyndoch and the adjacent Ranges .It is planted on sandy soils over iron stone gravels and has distinctive Worcester sauce notes and grainy soft tannins. The McLaren Vale vineyard was located on the leaner soils near McLaren flat. The Cabernet Sauvignon was from the red slopes of Light Pass.”

There's no magic formula here. Gibson simply expends the majority of his time and effort in the vineyard, leaving the winemaking to fall into place, making this wine a reflection of the superb fruit quality. Open fermentation with daily plunging is used, while maturation is carried out over a 24 month period, with 70% French and 30% American oak being employed. The fruit flavours were such that 75% new oak was able to be absorbed without affecting the wines integrity.

The master viticulturalist and Barossa legend, Rob Gibson has produced a superb example of Barossa Shiraz displaying tremendous richness and depth

Almost opaque black crimson colour with black crimson purple hue. Perfumed top note of violet, liquorice allsorts, blackberry and vanilla. The palate has excellent weight and mouthfeel – superb black pepper, vanilla, blackberry and ripe plum flavours. Excellent balance. Fine tannins. Very long aftertaste of black pepper, plum and vanilla.
Cellar 4-5 years (2012-2013)
Alc/Vol: 14.9%