Chris Ringland Barossa Shiraz 1998
Varietal: Syrah/Shiraz
Vineyard: Chris Ringland
Region: Barossa Valley, Australia
We only get one bottle each year of the 1200 made. Enjoy! A compelling effort from Chris Ringland (the name Three Rivers was dropped because of trademark litigation), this is his classic 1,200 bottle Shiraz cuvee from a 90-year old Barossa vineyard that yielded only one ton of fruit per acre. Aged in 300 liter French hogsheads (100% new) for 42 months prior to bottling, this is a prodigious offering from an exceptional vintage for South Australia. An inky purple color is followed by a gorgeous nose of minerals, blackberry liqueur, barbecue spices, sweet licorice, and a hint of white flowers. Remarkably concentrated, full-bodied, and unctuously-textured, its purity, definition, and compelling palate persistence as well as complexity are awesome. This is a magical wine from a winemaker who is a master craftsman. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020+.
