RedHeads create innovative reds with montepulciano, barbera, nebbiolo, sagrantino and sangiovese
A Barossa winemaker’s gamble on innovative Italian and Spanish varieties pays off with food-friendly red blends scoring a swag of gold medals. Here’s the latest releases.
When it comes to innovation in wine, the RedHeads crew has always enjoyed pushing the envelope.
The inventive spirit was there in the beginning, in the old McLaren Vale restaurant, where RedHeads started life as a place where young winemakers would drop in to make their “own” wines, experimenting away from their day jobs at more established, corporate-type wineries.
That was 20 years ago and nowadays RedHeads flies its flag in the Barossa at a custom-built, cutting-edge winery that has just secured its official organic certification after many years of adopting consistent, sustainable practices.
And when it comes to winemaking, the rebel within RedHeads continues to find a cause, whether it be crafting new blends, working with emerging varieties or coming up with label concepts that stretch the imagination.
The one constant, however, is quality, driven by an almost obsessive attention to detail.
The Australian Wine Club salutes the RedHeads success story this week, offering an eclectic mix of premium wines at affordable prices.
As RedHeads chief winemaker Alex Trescowthick says, the guiding principles haven’t changed since the days in the old restaurant: tiny batches of grapes, hands-on winemaking, interesting blends and big flavours. Apart from crafting the classics such as shiraz, cabernet and chardonnay (check out the bonus deal below), RedHeads is well down the track when it comes to making brilliant food-focused wines from Spanish and Italian varietals, such as tempranillo, barbera and sangiovese.
RedHeads Princess of Thieves GSM 2020
From vines of up to 65 years in age, this grenache shiraz mataro blend entices with strawberry and cherry-chocolate aromas, followed by anise and gentle spice. Generous plum and cherry flavours fill out the palate, with hints of black pepper and spicy richness. Mainly seasoned oak with 25 per cent new American and French. The 2020 continues the Princess’s reign as a genuine crowd pleaser. 94 points and top in category, Winestate Magazine. 14.5% alc; RRP $35 a bottle.
SPECIALS $26.99 a bottle in any dozen; $22.99 a bottle in RedHeads dozen
RedHeads Coco Rotie Shiraz Viognier 2019
Old-vine shiraz from McLaren Vale is co-fermented with 4 per cent viognier in the old-school Rhone style. Aromas of black and red fruits leap from the glass, leading to a lavish palate of plum and blueberry flavours, with a touch of orange peel. Matured in French and American hogsheads for 12 months. Dripping in gold medals across the globe, including from the Catavinum World Wine and Spirits Competition, the Berliner Wine Trophy and the International Wine Awards. 14.5% alc; RRP $30 a bottle.
SPECIALS$19.99 a bottle in any dozen; $22.99 a bottle in RedHeads dozen
The creative types at RedHeads were inspired by the story of R’dotto, an 18th-century gambling house in Venice. One of the popular winner-takes-all games was called Rosso, where players chased the ultimate five-card trick: four red aces plus a joker. RedHeads’ gamble was to take the unorthodox step of blending together five locally grown Italian varieties: montepulciano, barbera, nebbiolo, sagrantino and sangiovese. The bet has paid off with a swag of gold medals since launching the blend in 2016, with this new vintage picking up a gong at the Winestate Magazine Best of 2022 Awards for “best of new releases”. Bursting with red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate flavours and lingering spice. Medium-bodied. Super drinkable – with only the very, very best pizza. 14.5% alc; RRP $30 a bottle.
SPECIALS$19.99 a bottle in any dozen; $22.99 a bottle in RedHeads dozen
RedHeads March of Progress Shiraz 2021
Created from McLaren Vale shiraz organically grown from one of RedHeads’ trusted vignerons, Jock Bosworth. This wine leads RedHeads’ march towards sustainability. Pretty aromatics turn on the lights, with plums, cherries and violets holding centre stage and chocolate notes and toasty spice in the background. Chalky tannins keep the beat towards a long and clean finish. High quality. 14.5% alc; RRP $40 a bottle.
SPECIALS $33.99 a bottle in any dozen; $22.99 a bottle in RedHeads dozen
RedHeads Catbird Seat Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Fruit destined to be blended into a big, premium wine brand has been given the chance to show off as a solo act in this single-vineyard boutique offering. And show off it does: dark berries, vanilla and chocolate aromas roll forward to blackcurrant and plum flavours, layering over capsicum and tomato leaf nuances. Classic Coonawarra earthiness, flecked with savoury spice, sits assuredly in the background. Will cellar for a good 10 years. 14.5% alc; RRP $30 a bottle.
SPECIALS $19.99 a bottle in any dozen; $22.99 a bottle in RedHeads dozen
Redheads Blue Belle Tempranillo 2019
Give this 20 minutes to open up and you’ll be greeted with waves of rich cherry and blackberry aromas. A big, plush, soft palate follows, with ripe dark fruits, spice and hints of soft tobacco; kept in check with a nice burst of natural acid. Matures for 30 months in oak; crafted in the style of a Rioja grand reserva. A taste sensation by itself but a chorizo and tomato stew would combine nicely. 16% alc; RRP $36 a bottle.
SPECIALS $26.99 a bottle in any dozen; $22.99 a bottle in RedHeads dozen
REDHEADS DOZENTwo bottles of each wine above for $22.99 a bottle
BONUS Add three bottles of RedHeads Harmonie Rox Chardonnay 2021 for $21.99 a bottle across the 15 bottles
Order online or telephone 1300 765 359 Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm AEST. Deals only available while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine, LIQP770016550.
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