2020 SHIRAZ
BAROSSA VALLEY, SA
VINEYARD
Basileus is a Greek term that has signified various types of Monarchs throughout history.
In the English speaking world, it has most widely been understood to mean ‘King’. Shiraz is
the King of red grapes in Australia and the Barossa Valley is world renowned as the King of
Australia’s Shiraz regions.
This wine has been carefully crafted from grapes grown predominantly in a single vineyard
in the Stockwell area to the north of the region blended with smaller parcels from Bethany
in the south and Angaston to the east, Basileus really is a taste of the best of the Barossa.
The 2019 Barossa Valley vintage is regarded as a standout with very high quality but well
below average yields.
The growing season started dry and continued that way throughout with budburst delayed
until early September. The region was hit by 2 frost events – one early on in September and
another in early November, if the frosts and dry conditions were not enough, the flowering
period was windy and unsettled, and a hailstorm on 22 November topped it all off. These
events conspired to greatly reduce the vines eventual yield.
The summer months of December and January experienced above average maximum
temperatures but in the critical month of February temperatures cooled allowing the
flavour and phenological ripening to keep up with the sugar development. This cooler
month was the saving of many vineyards, the timing perfect for ripening their smaller crops
and by the end of March almost all the Barossa Valley grapes were harvested – one of the
earliest on record. The good news is that flavours and colours in Shiraz and overall quality is
exceptional.
WINEMAKING
Upon arriving at our 110-year-old winery the grapes were gently de-stemmed and
fermentation in small open fermenters was initiated by the indigenous yeasts of the winery.
The must was carefully plunged and pumped over twice daily to coax colour and flavour
from the skins. Once dry the wine was basket-pressed to French oak to patiently mature
and meld the multitude of flavours and aromas. The resultant wine reflects our philosophy
of letting the Barossa Valley soils and environment express themselves through the wine.
Intense blue/black with magenta hues.
Exotic spice, licorice, blackberry and dark plum.
Soft and succulent on the palate with plum and blackberry
spice and well considered French oak with and a long soft finish.
CELLAR POTENTIAL 10+ years.
HAVE IT WITH …
Slow Cooked Beef Cheeks in red wine sauce or Vegetarian Lasagne

$23.67,

Basileus Barossa Shiraz 2020 x 6

Basileus Grenache 2020 x 6

Basileus Riesling 2024 x 6