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  • 97

2010 Gibson Reserve Shiraz

Barossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
$37. 99
Bottle
$455.88 Dozen
Cellar: 5 - 8 Years (2017-2020)
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Screw Cap

Regular readers will be familiar with the exploits of Rob Gibson. Briefly, his story began in the early 1980s when Penfold's Chief winemaker formulated a project to identify the very best quality Shiraz grapes for Grange Hermitage. This ground breaking work developed new assessments about the production of the best Shiraz and connected vineyard block characteristics at verasion and again prior to harvest with the resultant wine characters and wine value.

Gibson led the project until he left to start 'Gibson Barossavale Wines' in 1997. He is also the worthy custodian of some of the oldest Shiraz vines on the planet. Describing 2010 as an extraordinary year, Gibson recalls "...it was dry with frost damage in the spring leading to very low yields in the cold northern Barossa. Shiraz character was very fruit driven in flavour". Harvested in late March, this is a much smaller Reserve blend than normal with just 650 cases on offer. Fruit from his ancient vineyards (Light Pass/Langmeil) has contributed to 30% of the wine which was subsequently matured for 26 months in predominantly French oak.

Impressive, totally opaque inky black dark purple colour with deep dark purple black hue. Ripe dark plum, blackberry and liquorice scents make their presence felt on the nose followed by some vanillin confectionary and dark chocolate with some cedar undertones. Rich sumptuous palate flavours adorn the palate with layers of opulent liquorice, ripe blackberry and dark chocolate followed by some toasty oak, mocha and spice. Soft plush mouthfeel with silky smooth polished tannins. Superb length with very long persistent plush ripe blackberry, dark plum, liquorice, dark chocolate and toasty oak aftertaste.
Cellar 5-8 years (2017-2020).
Alc 14.5%