Wine of the Week Profile 12/04/06
2002 Ross Estate Barossa Shiraz Reserve

’02 Ross Estate Barossa Shiraz Reserve (Net) $26.97
Ross Estate is a relatively young winery on an old vineyard site in Lyndoch, which lies in the very heart of what is arguably Australia finest wine growing region, the Barossa Valley. The vineyards were founded by German immigrants in 1847 who attempted to farm the land for a decade and were eventually wiped out by floods. Extremely determined single-minded individuals adapted winemaking techniques that eventually won out over harsh growing conditions and have gradually evolved over the decades. The wines from Ross Estate are stellar representations of the high quality and robust elegance that are signatures of the wines from this storied region.

All the Shiraz grapes were sourced from a few tiny elevated vineyard sites along the valley at their maximum ripeness and were then fermented in open fermentors. The wine was pumped over the cap for eight solid days of on skin fermentation. After 16 months of maturation in American Oak hogsheads the various batches of Shiraz were carefully and skillfully blended together and made ready for bottling.

The color of this Shiraz is an intense deep crimson and carries ample aromas of dark cherry and plum as well as smoky cassis notes that are complemented with a pepper-infused hint of oak. The long rich palate shows well-balanced fruit and licorice-like Shiraz flavors that are carried along with firm tannins and creamy notes of mocha-inflected oak. I had a few glasses of this robust wine with leg of lamb the other night and it was a perfect fit. The following afternoon I had another glass with a lamb sandwich and the wine was still showing beautifully.

—Donald

“The most expensive offering in this portfolio is still fairly priced. The dense purple-colored 2002 Shiraz Reserve offers up aromas of chocolate, blackberry liqueur, new saddle leather, and spice box. Powerful, potent, and rich, this full-throttle offering is only the second Reserve cuvee produced by Ross Estate. Aged in 100% American oak hogsheads (15% new) for 18 months, it is an impressive effort.” —WA 92