2005 Chris Ringland Dry Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz 750ml

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Vintage: 2005

Region: Barossa Valley

Drinking Window: 2014-2035

Alcohol ABV: 17.6%

Critic Score: 98 Points, Robert Parker The Wine Advocate

The Chris Ringland Dry Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz, originally Three Rivers, is a modern classic representing the best of Barossa terroir, early 20th-century vine stock, Australian inventiveness and modern winemaking practices.

The north-east facing vineyard, located on the corner of Flaxmans Valley Road and Stone Chimney Creek Road, was established by Thomas Randall in 1910. It was acquired in 1994 by winemaker Chris Ringland who gradually restored the vineyard.

The soils are shallow and skeletal, with granitic sandy loams over underlying clay and moisture-holding podzols. The dry-grown low-yielding vines, on their own roots, are pruned hard and expected to adapt to the growing season. As a consequence the postage stamp-sized vineyard, at only 1.5 hectares, is renowned for its unusually thickskinned shiraz. Deep in colour, exquisitely concentrated and laden with tannins, the fruit character exemplifies the enduring quality of pre-phylloxera vine stock.

Made with fruit coming from 3.5 acres of 100-year-old vines, the deep garnet-purple colored 2005 Shiraz is a 17.6% alcohol wine that spends more than 40 months in oak. The nose flaunts beautiful notes of black fruit preserves, sandalwood, mocha and dark chocolate allied with licorice, earth, toast and a subtle nuttiness. Very big, rich and concentrated, the full-bodied palate is framed by medium to firm, very fine tannins and a vibrant line of acid that gives nice lift at the end. This gorgeous wine shows a very, very long finish. Only 1,650 bottles and 50 magnums were produced.