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Sapphire Label St John Shiraz 2012

Sapphire Label St John Shiraz 2012

Sapphire Label St John Shiraz 2012

Overview

Overview

From Ebenezer road in the Barossa’s North, this is a Shiraz of power and opulence. A sumptuous, multifaceted nose of dark fruits, mocha and charcuterie gives way to a fleshy palate, rich with velvety plushness, restrained with perfectly balanced tannins.

Sourced from three remarkable vineyards at the eastern end of Ebenezer Road in the Barossa Valley’s north, which features a flat to gently undulating terrain with an elevation of around 280m. Vineyards are planted in unique soils comprising Barossa Ironstone, with its exceptional water-holding properties, red clays and dry alluvial sands deposited up to 50 million years ago. At the far north of the valley, the climate is more continental, with the warmest daytime temperatures and lowest rainfall and humidity. The area also experiences some of the coolest nights, leading to longer, slower, later ripening, allowing flavours to fully develop. As a result of this unique terroir, Shiraz in the area tends towards small berries with tough, dark skins producing concentration and depth, with opulent, fleshy fruit and full, ripe tannins.

Harvested at optimum maturity, fruit from individual blocks was crushed separately and fermented in small open-top fermenters. A mix of plunging and gentle pumping over was used to optimise flavour, colour and tannin extraction, giving the wine rich concentration and depth of fruit while retaining plush, supple tannins. The wines were left on skins until dry to lengthen tannins and enhance palate line and finish.

Varietal Shiraz
Vintage 2012
Country Australia
Region Barossa Valley
Volume 750 mL
Closure Screw Cap
Alc/Vol 14.5%
Peak Drinking Enjoy Now
Winemaker The Wolf Blass Team

Awards and Accolades

Awards and Accolades

96 points James Halliday
95 points Huon Hooke
Gold 2014 China Wine & Spirit Awards
Gold 2015 San Francisco Wine Competition
Gold 2015 China Wine & Spirit Awards
Gold 2015 Decanter Asian Wine Awards
Gold 2016 San Francisco International Wine Competition
Gold 2016 Royal Adelaide Wine Show

James Halliday

"The juicy mouthfeel of this wine, with its delicious display of peppery blackcurrant fruits puts it in a category all of its own."

Huon Hooke

"Deep red/purple colour. Mocha, chocolate aromas, big ripe solid wine on the nose and palate; very dense and very full-bodied, with lots of alcohol warmth, the tannins are very soft and cuddly, though. Generous and plush. (14.5% alcohol)"

Food Pairing

Food Pairing

Beef
Lamb
Duck
Veg
Pizza

Taste Description

Taste Description

Nose

A sumptuous, multifaceted nose of dark red berries, cassis and prunes with complex shades of charcuterie, mocha, panforte, chicory root, chinotto and black olive.

Flavours and Palate

Fleshy, opulent dimensions and a velvet plushness are defining elements on the palate, with full, firm tannins pulling everything into line and providing balance and foundation. Lingering dense fruit flavours and refined French oak are a captivating enhancement to the finish.

Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking

Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking

Barossa Valley, South Australia

Just one hour’s drive from South Australia’s capital, Adelaide, lies its gourmet capital (and wine Mecca), Barossa. One of the country’s most beautiful and historic wine regions, Barossa is a magnet for lovers of fine food and wine. Its classic Mediterranean climate, and free-draining red brown soils, makes the region ideal for growing grapes. Barossa produces excellent Shiraz, Cabernet, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Riesling and Semillon.

Good winter rain set the vines up well, which, with a warm early spring, resulted in healthy vines and an early onset of the growth cycle. Wind during flowering resulted in a slightly poorer set, which, along with a cool summer, reduced bunch and berry size. Mild days and cool nights during ripening allowed for optimal development, resulting in exceptionally well-balanced fruit with bright, rich varietal character, great intensity of flavour and good natural acidity.

Wolf Blass Team

The Wolf Blass team of winemakers share a similar working ethos – to boldly chase the pursuit of excellence, to uphold and represent Wolf Blass' proud history, and to create wine of exceptional quality.