Robert Parker 100 points!
Robert Parker 100 points!The Chris Ringland (formerly known as Three Rivers Shiraz), which is aged 42 months in 100% new French oak, and is rarely racked until bottling, represents an extraordinary expression of Barossa Shiraz. The perfect 1998, made from a single, 88-year-old vineyard cropped at one ton of fruit per acre, soaked up its wood component as if it is not even present. It boasts a sumptuous texture, great delineation, and a huge fragrance of bacon fat, blackberry liqueur, creme de cassis, toast, espresso roast, and hints of chocolate as well as pepper. Full-bodied yet remarkably well-delineated and fresh, this stunning wine is still a baby, but it promises to evolve for two decades or more.
Wine Advocate #155 (Oct 2004) Robert Parker
Robert Parker 99 points!A compelling effort from Chris Ringland (the name Three Rivers was dropped because of trademark litigation), this is his classic 1,200 bottle Shiraz cuvee from a 90-year old Barossa vineyard that yielded only one ton of fruit per acre. Aged in 300 liter French hogsheads (100% new) for 42 months prior to bottling, this is a prodigious offering from an exceptional vintage for South Australia. An inky purple color is followed by a gorgeous nose of minerals, blackberry liqueur, barbecue spices, sweet licorice, and a hint of white flowers. Remarkably concentrated, full-bodied, and unctuously-textured, its purity, definition, and compelling palate persistence as well as complexity are awesome. This is a magical wine from a winemaker who is a master craftsman. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020+.
Wine Advocate #148 (Aug 2003) Robert Parker
Country:
Australia
Region:
SA- Barossa Valley
Variety:
Wine Red - Shiraz
Size:
750mL
