Author: Dirk Chan
Our online feature this week is the 2018 Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz – $19.99 regularly $24.99).
Often referred to as the man who saved the Barossa Valley, Peter Lehmann’s reputation is legendary throughout the region and in Australian winemaking history.
The late 1970s were difficult times for the Barossa Valley wine grape growing community as there was a severe grape surplus where companies refused to buy grapes and honor existing contracts, and Peter Lehmann knew this would destroy the livelihoods of the family growers. In a courageous bid to support his community, Peter took out a loan, assembled equipment and built a small winery to process their grapes. True to his promise to them, when the money started coming in Peter made sure to pay his growers first.
Having gone through the tough times, not just to make great wine but to preserve the future of the land and the Barossa region, the growers gave him unrivalled access to the very best grapes thereafter.
For “The Barossan Shiraz”, parcels of high quality fruit are carefully selected from across the Barossa Valley, the winemaker have identified varying interpretations of “Shiraz” to blend together seamlessly a pretty red, delivering a complex and layered wine with fruit intensity and suppleness.
Fine value here – Full-bodied, creamy vanilla notes accentuate the core of plum and blackberry in a spicy m chocolate smooth package with a slightly smoky finish. Pair with slow roasted meats.
2018 Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $19.99 (regularly $24.99)