2017 Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz

Dandelion Vineyards is a venture between marketing guru Zar Brooks and his winemaking wife, Elena. ‘When I see a weed I see the Devil' is an old viticulturist's mantra, which makes the labelling of this wine rather quizzical. However, at Dandelion Vineyards, we're told they actually encourage the dandelion to grow amongst the vines as it suppresses winter weeds and provides mulch in summer.

Their Lionheart Shiraz is so named after Barossa ‘s lifelong champion of old vines, Carl Lindner. This wine is sourced from a selection of his ancient, gnarled vines, some approaching and many over a hundred years of age that not only survive but thrive on their own roots in some of the oldest soils on the planet.

Matured for 18 months in French oak barriques. Magnificent inky black core with a very deep bright dark purple black hue. Pronounced dark plum, liquorice and blueberry aromas sail out of the glass with elements of lightly smoked vanillin cedar, fennel and spicy pepper also evident. Medium to full bodied with a rich fleshy yet elegant feel and fresh finish, the palate dishes up delicious ripe plum, liquorice and blueberry flavours underpinned by subtlety smoked vanillin cedar, fennel and spice. Concludes with a lick of bright acidity. Fine grained well integrated tannins, excellent depth and a long juicy blue to dark fruit aftertaste.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
Hand-picked, crushed to open fermenters, 8 days on skins, matured for 18 months in mainly used French oak. High quality Barossa fruit, part grown by famous vignerons, floods the mouth, and the cool vintage has preserved the elegance and juicy highlights of the fruit. Oak has made a perfunctory contribution to a lovely wine. Drink by 2032.
95 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion