Schild Estate Barossa Valley 2018 Grenache Mouvedre Shiraz (RRP $25)
This blend of three very complementary varieties, which originate from the Southern Rhone Valley, has become a highly recognised Barossa style. The focus is on retained fruit character with oak only in the background if there at all. This wine is dominated by the characters of Grenache with its beetroot red colour, confectioned and spicy nose, softness and rounded fruit flavours, and the warmth from alcohol 14.5%. A welcoming wine, easy drinking, showing blackberry and allspice, brambly, with savoury edges. Drinks well now, but will be enjoyable for a further few years.
Schild Estate Barossa Valley 2018 Shiraz (RRP $25)
A very drinkable medium-bodied Shiraz. The nose is inviting with fruit, pepper and spice to the fore. Leads to a palate of dark plum, blueberry, a touch of clove and white pepper. Oak is subtle from ageing in the larger, seasoned hogshead barrels. Enjoyable now, but has a few more years.
This is a step up the quality ladder. Vibrant deep ruby red in colour; aromas ethereal, spicy, complex, oaky, intense; flavours rich and concentrated with blackberry, black olive and menthol. It’s structural, yet mellow with ripe tannins, balanced acidity and integrating oak. A wonderful lingering fruity finish. Wow – a wine great now but has a 15 to 20-year journey ahead of it. Tuck some of this away in the cellar.
Schild Estate Barossa Valley Narrow Road Vineyard 2017 Small Batch Shiraz Cabernet (RRP $70)
Another great wine! The marriage of Shiraz and Cabernet varieties must be uniquely Australian as I don’t recollect seeing it anywhere else in the world. This wine, as the name implies, is from a single site and produced in small quantity. The wine did not start well for me due to the traditionally styled capsule which I found difficult to remove as was the cork. However, the wine that followed was delightful. A sublime, supple, poised, balanced wine that just glides across the palate. Aromas of dark fruits and spice followed by smooth flavours of blackcurrant, black plum. Oak is so structurally integrated, the tannins so fine, smooth and velvety, the finish so clean and long. A 10-year wine.