Wine Spectator – Juicy notes of ripe black cherry and spiced plum are thick and velvety, oozing with details of baking spices, tobacco and Earl Grey tea on the finish. Concentrated and complex. The thick tannins add some charm. Drink now through 2030.
The Wine Front – GARY WALSH - THE WINE FRONT
This is our regular Provence rosé, and I’d reckon we’ve knocked off (easily) more than 20 bottles since last spring, so I thought I’d better push out a note. Pale. White peach and redcurrant, a bit of tang and ruby red grapefruit, light chalky feel, freshness and vibrancy. Good zesty length. Such a good drink. It keeps you coming back for more…
Antonio Galloni/Vinous – ‘Brilliant ruby-red. Spice-accented dark berry, cherry pit and succulent flowers on the perfumed nose. Fleshy and
broad in the mouth but lively as well, offering sappy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter
with air. Closes gently tannic, with very good energy and persistence, leaving a spicecake note behind. Drink 2018-
2022.’
The Wine Front – Cherry and mixed berries, a whiff of spice and dill, vanilla and toast. Medium bodied, confident in its delivery of classic Barossa Shiraz flavour, has a certain lightness with gently juicy fruit mixed in with umami flavour, fine-grained tannin, well-pitched acidity and a satisfying finish.
James Halliday – Matured for 12 months in new and used oak (88% French, 12% American). Bright crimson colour heralds a wine full of vitality; red berry flavours surge through the mouth, gauzy tannins in the background adding to the exuberant mouthfeel and length.
The Wine Front – Grown mostly on the Rayner vineyard in McLaren Vale. 43 year old grenache vines; 65 year old shiraz vines; mataro from nearby. Some whole bunches, mostly with the mataro. All old oak. Bottled unfined/unfiltered. Another fantastic release from Bondar. Just the right mix of structure, flavour and interest. This is a savoury, sinewy wine first and foremost though flavours of graphite, woodsmoke, black cherry and fennel mean that there’s plenty else going on. Those strains of spicy tannin though; those fistfuls of smoked twigs and spices; they really set the scene. It twirls and twists through the mouth like it’s mapping out genes. A light-but-exquisite red wine. 93 points, Campbell Mattinson, winefront.com.au
Wine Enthusiast – This wine is dark and earthy at first, but opens with airing to reveal bold notes of blueberry, mocha and peppery spice. This 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah is full bodied, richly textured and finishes long.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – It offers fabulous black cherry, licorice, wet gravel and ample crushed rock like minerality. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, elegant and polished.
James Halliday – From the sixth-generation Riebke growers, deeply coloured and unashamedly full-bodied, gritty tannins standing guard over wild blackberry fruit. A degree of patience is absolutely essential, but will be rewarded thanks to the overall balance of the wine.
The Wine Front – Shiraz from Greenock and Stonewell in the Barossa Valley. Open fermented, basket pressed, no new oak, bottled unfined and unfiltered. Old school Barossa, in a new school way.
Barossa shiraz is such a pleasurable beast when it’s allowed to run free. This is the famous fruit in all its deep, dark, blackberried glory. It’s fresh but intense, simple in a straight-shooting way, intricately tannic and lengthy. I’d reckon they’ve nailed it. It’s sturdy but pretty; it drinks ever-so-well.
Sweet and ripe. This is luscious red wine drinking. Tar, honey, baked plums and dried herbs. It loads up the palate with flavour, all sweet and loose and delicious.
The Wine Front – Blackberry and blueberry, spice and aniseed, a lick of vanilla. Full bodied, but kind of smooth with it, dark chocolate and black olives, balanced acidity, and deep fleshy tannin rolling onto the finish. Richness of fruit, grounded by the earthiness of Kay’s. It’s entirely convincing, and good.
James Halliday – "An incredibly dense and luxuriant palate grabs all the attention; how this has been achieved with 14% alcohol is anyone's guess, but I'm not disposed to argue, because the outcome is a totally serendipitous, supple, full-bodied shiraz replete with dark Swiss chocolate wrapped around luscious black fruits." Halliday Wine Companion '16
Shiraz and Syrah are essentially two names for the same grape variety, renowned for producing full-bodied red wines. The distinction often lies in the wine's origin and style. Historically rooted in France's Rhône Valley, Syrah wines tend to possess a more elegant profile with nuanced flavors of blackberries, herbs, and sometimes even olives. As the variety migrated to other parts of the world, particularly Australia, it adopted the name "Shiraz" and became associated with a bolder, fruitier style. These wines often exhibit luscious notes of plum, chocolate, and spices. The versatility of this grape is truly astounding, adapting uniquely to its terroir. The aging potential varies, with some meant for early enjoyment while others can be cellared for years, developing complex tertiary flavors. Whether enjoyed young or aged, Shiraz Syrah offers a fascinating exploration into the world of red wines.
Shiraz Syrah wine refers to a red wine produced from the Syrah grape variety. Depending on the region, the wine is referred to either as "Syrah" or "Shiraz." At its core, this grape is known for producing wines that are deeply colored and full-bodied, with a wide array of flavors ranging from fruits like blueberries and black cherries to more earthy tones. The name distinction often emerges from the wine's stylistic and regional differences. While both names reference the same grape, they evoke different wine profiles and traditions, depending on where the wine is crafted.
Historically, the Syrah grape finds its origins in the Rhône Valley of France. Here, especially in regions like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, the grape produces wines of elegance, complexity, and longevity. However, when we shift to Australia, particularly regions like Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, the grape, referred to as "Shiraz," gives wines with a bolder, fruit-forward expression, often with notes of chocolate and spices. Both regions, despite their differences, are considered world-class producers of this grape variety.
Popularity often intertwines with both region and producer. In the Rhône Valley, labels like Guigal's Côte-Rôtie and Chapoutier's Hermitage are celebrated. In Australia, Penfolds Grange and Henschke's Hill of Grace Shiraz are iconic labels, recognized globally. These wines represent the pinnacle of Shiraz Syrah's expression in their respective regions.
Value is subjective, but there are numerous Shiraz Syrah wines that deliver exceptional quality for their price. In Australia, wines from regions like Langhorne Creek or Clare Valley often provide remarkable value. Similarly, in France, the broader appellations of the Rhône Valley, like Côtes du Rhône, frequently offer wines that punch above their weight in terms of price to quality.
Shiraz Syrah, with its robust and versatile profile, pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Think hearty meat dishes such as grilled steaks, lamb shanks, or even spicy barbecue. For Syrah from the Rhône, consider duck or other game meats, accompanied by herbs and olives. The wine's inherent peppery notes also make it a great companion to dishes with a bit of spice or smoked flavors. Whether you're enjoying a French Syrah or an Australian Shiraz, there's a myriad of culinary delights that can complement this wine's rich profile.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.