Winemaker Notes
Nightly dark yet bright as if draped in a violet-plum moonshine. On the nose, damson plums and reduced plums and plum jam made yesterday morning and, oh, plum chutney too. All of this plummy aromaticity is set off by other primary fruit drivers: olives, bay, the more freshly picked woody herbs such as sage and rosemary and thyme. The bouquet whispers of dark liqueur chocolate, cocoa and vanilla. Here is a ripe yet restrained profile of fruit purity; the palate is clean, clear and defined - etched minerality and savouriness runs in fine powdery tannic layers. This is Barossa that is beautiful not brazen; beguiling not boisterous; a balance not a bomb, yet still indubitably - indubitably - Barossa.
This red wine’s minerality, acidity and fruit depth make it extremely versatile with foods: from char siu pork, chargrilled chicken, or casalinga sausages with a hint of chilli. A simple pepper steak? Or your finest beef in black bean sauce. Homemade black bean sauce, of course.
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesRange: 89-91
Dandelion Vineyards are proven plantings that have stood the test of time. We grow our own grapes and source from the best of family vineyards. Our wish is to nurture the unique character of these vineyards and express their terroir in our wines.
We believe that to capture variety, vintage and vineyard requires an enlightened approach. Separating single sites, and even single soil types, vine by vine if need be.
Dandelion Vineyards is a unique fusion of vineyards and vignerons. Our wines represent decades of experience, blending the fruit of our heirloom vineyards with the finest traditions of artisan winemaking. Dandelion Vineyards combination of old vineyards and young winemaker and a couple of mates to help out in-between which we believe makes for the ideal winery.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”