2013 Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2013 Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz is effusive with roast meat aromas, peppercorns, kirsch, black cherry, crushed rocks and stems. In the mouth, the wine is supple and full, with gentle, resinous (slightly sticky) tannins that uphold the fruit. It has a light finish. It's in a quiet phase, and I daresay not in a "touch me" phase either; hang onto this a while longer, it is transitioning currently. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Tasted as part of a vertical of vintages 2013 - 2020. The Balhannah vineyard (in Balhannah—northeast of Hahndorf and around 30 kilometers southeast of Adelaide city) sits at an elevation of 380 meters above sea level and was planted in 2005. The soils are loam over clay, ironstone, quartzite and shale; Savii17 clones are planted at a north-facing density of 5,555 vines per hectare.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Circumspect nose, but a wonderful purity of fruit on the palate. Compressed and very youthful, and seems to have more to offer in future. Worth keeping. (RH)
Vines planted at 5,555 per ha in 2005 at 380 m on loam over clay, ironstone, quartzite and shale. Mellow, bright fruit with some black pepper on the nose but no shortage of ripeness on the palate. A very gentle hand. Impressive length. Really beautfully balanced. What's not to like? Maybe just very slightly too ripe to last a long time. (JR)
200 cases made, 70% whole bunch fermented. Stinky, reductive nose but the red fruit is juicy and pure on the palate. Precise and punchy. No discernible stemminess. Deserves time. (RH)