2016 Brave Souls The Able Seaman Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre

The Brave Souls labels take their inspiration the remarkable heroics of three men who risked their lives to help save the survivors of the famous Admella shipwreck of 1859.

This blend of 45% Grenache, 29% Shiraz and 26% Mourvedre has great depth of colour displaying a totally opaque black dark red core with a dark red hue. Nosing dispels aromas of dark plum, liquorice and dark raspberry over hints of scorched cedar, earth and spice. Rich and juicy the palate is awash with ripe black cherry, liquorice and black raspberry flavours which sit over lightly smoked oak, subtle earthy incense characters and spice. There’s good flesh to the mouthfeel with a sense of vibrancy on the finish. Velvety tannins. The length and power outstanding concluding with a long lingering aftertaste of spicy black raspberries, liquorice, ripe black cherries, lightly smoked oak and pepper. A very moreish GSM.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
The 45/29/26% blend is assembled from vines across the Barossa Valley aged between 15 and 100yo, matured for 16 months in new and used oak. A lot of winemaking IP is on show with this vibrant wine, a light year away from some of the stodgy dead fruit blends of prior times. This will also develop secondary flavours ex the cherry of the grenache. Drink by 2031.
95 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion