C O L O U R
Deep, dark, youthfully dense purple colour
N O S E
Delightful wild blackberry sweetness with plum and a background hint of cured meats.
P A L A T E
Rich and textural with layers of blackberries, black cherry and plum, mocha and dark chocolate. Well balanced with silky tannins and a luscious long finish
W I N E M A K I N G
This is an Amarone/Appassimento style wine. The grapes are hand-picked and laid onto racks to semi-dry. The length of drying time varies each year and is influenced by the ripeness of the grape, the ambient heat and humidity and the flavour on tasting. The drying process intensifies the flavours whilst maintaining the structure and natural acids of the grape. Wild ferment, open vats, hand plunged daily.
AWARDS/REVIEWS
Halliday Wine Companion | Dave Brooks 93 points
Barossa Ranges shiraz made 'Amarone' style; picked and then semi-dried on racks before fermentation and pressing, a style that the Hobbsys have done very well over the years. Dark berry, cherry and plum fruits with a graphite edge, spice, olive tapenade, tamari, biltong, tea leaves and earth. Rich, smooth and leaning towards savoury on the exit, with bright plum skin acidity driving the wine forward and a distinct meaty edge to the dark, spicy fruit.
Q Wine - Steve Leszczynski 93 points
A really impressive Barossa Shiraz from Hobbs. The label says 14.6% alcohol but that certainly doesn't seem the case given the energy and vibrance on show. This is great stuff.
Loaded with interest, think mulberries, sweet blueberries, dark cherries, strawberries, baked raspberries and plums, there is a fine rub of earthiness with shards of dark chocolate. Time in the glass sees a flicker of soy rise up with everything parcelled up neatly by delicate five spice and black pepper. That spice reaches long and clings to a persistent finish. A fabulous steak night wine, this is really well done, and I'd happily have a glass or two.
Winepilot - Ken Gargett 93 points
This is a wine which will appeal to two (undoubtedly overlapping) groups – wine geeks and winelovers. It is a delicious drink, but what will fascinate the geeks (and I do not use that term pejoratively in any sense, as I consider myself a fully paid up member), is that it is an appassimento style Shiraz (think Amarone). The handpicked grapes are laid out over racks to allow them to (semi) dry – different timing to the extent of the drying every year – and thereby concentrate the sugars within the grape and intensify the flavours. Wild fermentation and daily hand-plunging are used. The result is a lovely and rather exotic style, absolutely chock full of flavour. A crimson magenta hue, though it really is very dark, the wine is big and bold exhibiting cassis, mulberries, chocolate and black fruits, with a touch of earth and graphite swirling throughout. Despite the obvious plushness, there is a line of fine acidity and good freshness. Indeed, it is a surprise as to just how delightfully fresh the wine is. Silky tannins are found on the persistent finish. A wine with a future – at least six to eight years. Delicious. Don’t miss it.
Robert Parker | Erin Larkin | 91 Points
The 2023 Tin Lids Shiraz Aria Secca is made in an appassimento style (i.e., handpicked fruit is semi-dried on racks prior to pressing and fermenting, etc.), which works to concentrate the flavours. It isn't a heavy wine in any respect—alcohol or body—and this is a curiously attractive attribute. There are notes of hot coffee, rocks in the summer sun, dark chocolate, autumn leaves, roast meat crust and pomegranate molasses. 14.6% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
