Potts was one of the original settlers of South Australia. He arrived in Adelaide on the HMS Buffalo in 1836. Potts was so impressed by the potential of the floodplains along the Bremer River, that on April 4, 1850, he purchased 120 acres of land at Langhorne Creek for the princely sum of $1 per acre. In addition to growing various crops, he cultivated 30 acres of vineyards, planting mostly Shiraz and Verdelho, a white variety from Spain. Today, 50 hectares of vineyards yield around 100,000 cases per year. Bleasdale's main varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec and Verdelho. In the last 20 years, new trellis systems have greatly increased the number of open canopies, helping even grape maturation and ripening.

Langhorne Creek is an important but little known viticultural region 80 km southeast of Adelaide in South Australia, boasting around 2,000 hectares of vineyards. Mostly red grape varietals grow on the naturally flooded plains along the Bremer River and in the surrounding area. During the dry winter months, a system of floodgates, banks and ditches irrigates the vineyards, supplementing the low seasonal rainfalls. The area's top varieties, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, thrive in these rich, alluvial (well draining) soils. Cooling breezes from nearby Lake Alexandrina moderate the hot summer weather, creating a cool-climate effect in the area. Recently, water was brought from the lake, enabling large plantings off the floodplain. This caused the combined size of vineyards to more than triple from the original 600 hectares.

The 2000 Bleasdale Shiraz Reserve was made from mostly older single wire trellis vines (20-40 years old). Due to the climate in 2000, yields were low, around 8 tons per hectare, and 30% below average, resulting in smaller bunches with more flavor concentration. Because the Shiraz Reserve is Bleasedale's flagship wine, only the best Shiraz grapes, best pressings, and best oak are used for its production. It is aged in both American oak hogshead and barrique for 18 months. Just 2,000 cases of the Shiraz Reserve were produced.

The 2000 Bleasdale Shiraz Reserve has very pretty aromatics, Northern Rhône-like minerality, spicy black fruit, bacon fat and wild flower notes with a dash of wood vanilla. Roasted dark plum and cured pork flavors add complexity on the palate. The wine's big size in the mouth is carried by the fruit, but there’s more of a mineral aspect than is typical, making its character more like Côte Rôtie than Aussie Shiraz. The finish shows good acidity, but it is not out of keeping with the fruit. Pair this with grilled steak, roasts, leg of lamb and heavy stews.

—Chris

“The 2000 Shiraz Reserve boasts complex aromatics of coconut, blackberries, currants, and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, supple-textured flavors with no hard edges suggest consumption over the next 4-5 years.” —WA 89

“Rich in texture, but not heavy, with wonderful plum and cherry fruit shaded with touches of meaty game and tar. The fruit persists against fine tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 2,000 cases made.” —WS 89