2004 Tatiarra Shiraz Cambrian
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92 WA
The Victorian outpost of Barossa, Taitiarra is one of the most exciting operations in Heathcote. Produced from fruit grown in what many believe to be the oldest land on Planet Earth (the Cambrian soils are thought to be 500 million years old), the 2004 Shiraz Cambrian (aged 16 months in French oak) exhibits an opaque purple color in addition to notes of minerals, spring flowers, black currants, and graphite. This full-bodied, complex wine possesses moderately high tannin, and plays it close to the vest, but it is bursting with potential and sophistication. It’s accessible enough to be drunk now, but promises to evolve for 10-15 years.
Issue #161, October 2005 --The Wine Advocate
91 ST
Inky ruby. Youthful, tightly wound aromas of dark cherry, blackberry and black raspberry. Deep and powerful, showing great intensity to the dark fruit flavors, with earth and mineral tones adding complexity. With extended aeration, notes of dried flowers, tar and black cardamom came up. A very well-balanced wine that finishes with excellent focus and depth. Serious stuff, but in need of patience. The Cambrian soil in Heathcote is some of the oldest on earth, at 500 million years of age. 91(+?) points
By Josh Raynolds Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jul/Aug 06 --International Wine Cellar
90 WS
Bright, juicy and nicely focused to show its blackberry, espresso and spice flavors. Rides on a velvety background of fine-grained tannins, lingering well on the expressive finish. Best from 2007 through 2014. 1,200 cases made. –HS
October 15, 2006 --Wine Spectator
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| Description | ||
| Winery Notes: The Cambrian Shiraz represents a wonderful expression of the Tatiarra Vineyard’s terroir and is a classic, big Heathcote Shiraz. The grapes for this wine were cropped at 1.6 tonnes per acre, producing a wine of immense power and concentration. The name Tatiarra is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘Beautiful Country’. Tatiarra does not have a grand history. There are no generations of grape growers or winemakers on the board or amongst its shareholders. It is not in the possession of a heritage building nor is it the culmination of a long and colourful past. On the contrary, Tatiarra is a modern company firmly rooted in the terroir of the vineyard and sustained by a dream that is now in the process of becoming a reality. That original dream belonged to Bill Hepburn. The selection of a vineyard site is of paramount importance and it can take years to find the right piece of terroir. Bill discovered his dream on the west slopes of Mt.Camel in the Heathcote district, planting a 10 acre vineyard of Shiraz vines on 143 acres of rare, north facing Cambrian Earth. It was a modest start, with borrowed equipment, friendly neighbours and supportive family. Bill spent those early years camped in a caravan, which remains on site, not far from a large gum tree under which he built a ‘thunderbox’ (the Australian country version of an outdoor toilet). The cold nights finally got to Bill and he decided it was time to pass the dream on. In 2001, Domaines Tatiarra purchased the property and continues to develop the original dream. Bill Hepburn oversaw the growing of the grapes used in the first vintage of Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz and remains involved with the development of the company as a very interested outsider. The Caravan of Dreams Shiraz Pressings is made in Bill Hepburn's honour. Today Tatiarra vineyard continues to attract visionaries. Tatiarra winemaker, Ben Riggs has his own dream about Heathcote and Shiraz. Ben is based in McLaren Vale, South Australia where his obsession for producing extraordinary Shiraz is well known. With Tatiarra, he was challenged to produce a wine that would rank amongst the giants of the Shiraz world – Tatiarra Trademark Shiraz – a unique blend of McLaren Vale and Heathcote fruit. |
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