C O L O U R
Deep maroon, with purple hue
N O S E
Lifted aromas of violets, plums, hints of aniseed and chocolate
P A L A T E
Silky mouthfeel. Lucious juicy red and blue berries, spice, aniseed and mocha. Long and delicious finish.
W I N E M A K I N G
Hand-picked fruit. Wild ferment over 10 days, gentle hand plunging daily. Slow press into old French oak and matured for 12 months before bottling. Shiraz and Montepulciano blended 60/40
AWARDS/REVIEWS
New Media Reviews | Q Wine - Steve Leszczynski 94 points
Shiraz and Montepulciano are unusual bedfellows but this Behr Creek release from Hobbs works a treat. One thing I have found in recent months is how well Montepulciano has adapted to the Barossa soils. It's beaming in the right hands, and this blend shows another aspect of its personality.
A 60/40 blend that sees French oak for twelve months, red flowers, violets and squishy blueberries make an exciting impression on opening. The juicy fruit from the Montepulciano component bounds along with the Shiraz wrapping itself around in a neat parcel showing fine sheets of spice that ride out to an elongated finish. This is really clever stuff.
New Media Reviews | Winepilot - Ken Gargett 93 points
Not a common blend but one which works well here. A deep maroon, purple hue, the nose exhibits lifted aromatics and is redolent of bay leaves, plums, blackcurrants, soy, mocha, aniseed and chocolate. Utterly gorgeous with a sweet core of mulberries and cherries, this is a wine with focus and length. Will continue to provide delicious drinking over the next six to eight years. The decision to add this Italian favourite to Shiraz has really paid dividends.
Halliday Wine Companion | Dave Brooks 94 points
60/40% hand-picked shiraz/Montepulciano; wild ferment; aged for 12 months in seasoned French oak. Satsuma plum, dark cherry and boysenberry fruits cut with baking spices, pressed flowers, mocha, tea cake, olive tapenade, chocolate bullets, dried citrus rind and earth. Pure, with a bright energy to the acidity, fine, powdered stone tannins and a touch of cranberry lift right on the exit. This is a lovely, rich yet lively wine.
Robert Parker | Erin Larkin | 92 Points
The 2023 Behr Creek Shiraz Montepulciano leads with a juicy, licorice-laced nose of black berries, exotic spice and sweet charry oak and a jubey sweetness on the middle palate. The wine is rounded and fleshy, yet the acidity still retains a cherry tartness that keeps the finish fresh and alive. This has 60% Shiraz, with the balance Montepulciano from Eden Valley. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
