2019 Gibson The Dirtman Shiraz

Rob Gibson’s story began in the early 1980s when Penfolds 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 earned the nickname ‘Dirtman’ because of his obsession about vine growth which led him to dig deep pits in between vines in order to discover the secret workings of the root system and whether there is any correlation between soils, minerals and the ultimate quality of the wine.

Irresistibly rich and satiny this is one seductive Barossa Shiraz.

Matured for 18 months in a mixture of new and used American oak hogsheads. Deep inky black heart with a dark red black hue. Wafting out of the glass are potent scents of ripe blackberries, liquorice and dark chocolate which meld into vanillin oak, mocha and spice. Luxuriously plush and rich, the mouth is drenched with opulent ripe blackberry, liquorice, dark chocolate and dark plum fruits. Filling out the back half is toasty vanillin oak, mocha and spice. Silky smooth tannins. Layered end to end with sumptuous black fruits the aftertaste is long and fleshy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%