Barossa’s big reds from Zonte’s Footstep, Schild Estate, Thorn Clark and Irvine
The Barossa is still the granddaddy of Australian wine: home to ancient vineyards, glorious hospitality and these big-flavoured reds.
With a name like Lehmann, it’s no wonder I have a Barossa bias. To me, the Barossa is still the granddaddy of Australian wine.
I think of pioneers like Joseph Seppelt, who tried to grow tobacco but ended up creating Seppeltsfield, the only winery in the world that today lays claim to an unbroken lineage of single vintage wines spanning 142 years. I think of storeyed sites like Langmeil’s ancient Shiraz vineyard planted in 1843, stony Steingarten and its sublime riesling and, of course, the fabled Hensche Hill of Grace in Eden Valley.
There’s the power of Penfolds, the Hill-Smith lineage at Yalumba and legends like Peter Lehmann and Wolf Blass who resurrected the Barossa’s fortunes in the 1980s. I salute the dozens of boutique winemakers and viticulturists of today like Laughing Jack’s Shawn Kalleske, Dave Lehmann at David Franz Wines, the Holts of Poonawatta and the guys at Smallfry – they are small in size, big in character.
And never far from my mind are the delights of a Friday long lunch at Rockford, cold Coopers over a pool table in the Greenock Creek hotel and fossicking in the rabbit warren of Tanunda Cellars.
I almost feel guilty singling out these thoughts because there are so many other special places, experiences and people that make the Barossa truly unique. If you’ve never been, go.
Our wine club today gives a nod to the glory of the Barossa with a selection of reds that represent high quality at affordable prices.
Zonte’s Footstep Baron Von Nemesis Barossa Shiraz 2018
One of the wine club’s most popular choices, Zonte’s 2018 Shiraz picked up a swag of gold medals. Sourced from hand-tended blocks in Eden Valley, Baron Von Nemesis arrives with a flurry of blackberries, dark chocolate and plums on the nose, delivering rich dark fruits, cocoa, Christmas spice and a pinch of pepper across the palate. Generous in spirit, like classic Barossan hospitality. 14.5% alc SPECIAL PRICE $29.75
Irvine Spring Hill Barossa Merlot 2018
Jim Irvine’s Grand Merlot become an icon of Australian wine in the early 1990s, stunning the world by winning a string of global awards against the best French chateaus. Nowadays his daughter Jo continues the family’s unrelenting quest for excellence. The Spring Hill Merlot is a stylish entry point, with hints of violets, red cherries and graphite on the nose, leading to a beautifully textured palate and a super soft finish. Medium-bodied, this is merlot for those who think about their wine. 13.4% alc. SPECIAL PRICE $15.99
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Quartage 2017
While the Barossa is famous for its shiraz, the Shotfire Quartage 2017 takes its lead from Bordeaux, combining cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot and merlot. But the Shotfire is truly Barossan: intense and rich. The fruit comes from three of Thorn Clarke’s prime Barossa vineyards: St Kitts in the north, Kabininge on the Barossa floor near Tanunda, and Milton Park in the higher country of Eden Valley. Blackcurrants, mulberries, cloves and dusty dried herbs combine with toasty oak in a wine that’s hard to fully appreciate in just one glass. Scored gold at the New Zealand international Wine Show, 2020. 14.5% alc. SPECIAL PRICE $24.99
Schild Estate Prämie Narrow Road Vineyard Shiraz 2017
The Schilds are among the oldest grape growers in the Barossa and custodians of vineyards like Moorooroo, planted in 1847 by Willam and John Jacob. Fruit for the Pramie comes from high on the hills behind the township of Rowland Flat. The 2017 is sumptuously rich, full-bodied signature Barossa Shiraz. Black and blue berries, ripe plums and cream flow through the palate. Pramie is German for “bonus” or “reward” and the 2017 rewarded Schild Estate with 95-point ratings from James Halliday and Huon Hooke. 14.5% alc RRP: $50
SPECIAL BAROSSA DOZEN (including two Schild Pramie bottles) $24.99 a btl
Order online or telephone 1300 765 359 Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm AEST The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaite’s Wine People
Afraid of cooking a whole fish? This is how to do it
If cooking a whole fish isn’t an option but you love the sound of this recipe, thick white fish fillets will work wonderfully.
These sweet treats are fit for a queen
Legend has it these cookies were created by an Italian chef for royalty in the mid-1800s. The two small, round biscuits come together with a chocolate filling – a perfect kiss.