Not to be confused with the "standard" Barossa Growers Shiraz, or with the Barossa Shiraz Viognier: this one is labelled "hand-picked". As you can see, the 2002 vintage has been very, very favourably reviewed and rated, and the 2004 has also been well received.

2004

93/100 points from Robert Parker Jnr (Wine Advocate, Oct. 2006); 4/5 stars in Winestate Magazine Australia (April 2007); top 100 wine Sydney International Wine Competition 2007

gold medal: blue-gold Sydney International Wine Competition 2007

silver medal: NZ International Wine Show 2006

bronze medal: Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2006.

Winemaker’s tasting notes: "Deep, dark purple-red in colour; it opens with mulberries, black cherries and sweet anise, overlying subtle flavours of musk, violets, exotic spices and hints of white fleshy fruits; the palate is big but stylish with a velvety smooth mouth-feel, displaying sweet chocolate, dark fruits and musk combined with an exotic spicy compote; a complex wine held together with well-integrated oak and soft fine tannins". 14.5% alc.

2003

88/100 points from James Halliday in his Australian Wine Companion 2007; 89/100 points from Robert Parker Jnr (Wine Advocate, Oct. 2005); 91/100 points from Wine Spectator Magazine (Oct. 2006)

gold medal: NZ International Wine Show 2006

silver medal: Royal Hobart Wine Show 2005, Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2005;

bronze medal: Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2005.

Winemaker’s tasting notes: "Deep, dark purple-red in colour; full, opulent aromatics with mulberries, black cherries, liquorice and plums, overlying subtle hints of apricot kernel and musky perfume; the palate is big but elegantly soft with a velevety smooth mouth-feel: dark chocolate, cocoa and figs combine with an exotic spicy compote; a stylish wine held together by well-integrated oak and minerally fruit tannins". 14% alc.

2002

93/100 points from James Halliday in his Australian Wine Companion 2006; 93/100 points from a very impressed Huon Hooke (Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine, November 2004); 4/5 stars from Winestate Magazine, Australia (July, 2004); highly recommended by Jeremy Oliver ("On Wine", Oct. 2004); 93/100 points from Robert Parker (Wine Advocate, Oct. 2004); highly recommended by Winewise Magazine, Australia (Dec. 2004); 89/100 points from Harvey Steiman in Wine Spectator Magazine (Sept. 2004); 92/100 points from Joshua Greene in Wine & Spirits Magazine USA (Oct. 2004); 92/100 points from Campbell Mattinson in Winefront Monthly (Aug. 2004); top 100 wine Sydney International Wine Competition 2005

gold medal: Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2004, Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2004, Royal Brisbane Wine Show 2004

silver medal: London International Wine Challenge 2005, Royal Perth Wine Show 2004, Royal National Wine Show Canberra 2004, Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2003

Winemaker’s tasting notes: "Deep purple-red in colour; a splash of viognier adds a sweet, floral, perfumed lift to aromas of cloves, spices, plums and dark cherries, surrounded by vanilla-chocolate oak; an elegant and alluring wine, quite supple, with an expressive palate of small dark berries, plums and licorice; the viognier also creates a richer mouth feel and silky texture; velvet-smooth tannins and a savoury finish". A sensibly light touch with new French and American oak (only 10%) rounds off a very good wine.