This is an outstanding vintage of this "GSM". In the Barossa, there are years when Shiraz is king and years when Mourvedre and Grenache thrive. 2001 was such a year for the Mourvedre and Grenache - in this vintage they make up 83% of the blend. The result is a finer, fresher and fruitier wine, with the softness of the Grenache coming right through on the generous palate. Great rhone-style blend from the Barossa's best!

0

Robert O'Callagan's vineyard sourcing contacts are unmatched in the Barossa. They come both through his work in the 60's and 70's as vineyard liasion officer for Seppelts and through his campaigning through the 1980's to prevent the venerable old Shiraz vineyards from being pulled out. Such great support generates great loyalty.
So when Robert sources his fruit for this fabulous blend of Shiraz and Cabernet he can source fruit from some of the very best vineyards in the region. Given a fabulous vintage like 2002, the quality is exceptional.
Good colour, Medium in weight, very complex and superbly balanced. There are exceptional fruit flavours of blackberries and blackcurrants, fine tannins and subtle oak lead into a long, luxurious finish. It carries its 14.9% alcohol with ease.

8

Rockford's access to some of the finest old vineyards in the Barossa shows in this classic blend. 2003 was a "Shiraz" vintage, hence the greater proportion of Shiraz in this year.

0

A great Cabernet, probably the Barossa's best. It proves the old adage that great winemakers make great wines in tougher years as well as in standout vintages. The various individual vineyard parcels were kept separate and underwent a rigorous selection process before the final blend was assembled.
It's about time that Rockford's top class Cabernet Sauvignon moved from out of the shadow of their icon Basket Press Shiraz and this is the vintage that should do it!

0

A unique wine that shows that Aussie whites do not need heaps of alcohol to be rich and full-bodied.
A traditional old-style full blooded Semillon awash with plenty of guts and lemony flavours. It is a wine that is great with food (chicken dishes and pasta) and has therefore gained a good following, including some of London's leading restaurants.
This will age magnificently for 10+ years.

0

"Light straw-green; tight, fine lime and apple blossom aromas, moving in to slate and mineral on the palate; long, fine finish; still very youthful." 94 points.
James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion.
A wonderful wine.
A few year's cellaring has really brought out the wonderful Eden Valley "steeliness" and lime and mineral flavours. Will improve further over through to 2013.


0