Vintus

Reiver Shiraz, Barossa Valley

• 2009 Vintage

  The growing season began with average rainfall in winter months for the first time for some years. The wet ground coupled with a dry, warm spring led to strong canopy growth. A small rain event in December followed by a largely mild January delayed what looked like another very early vintage.  A heat wave hit at the end of January, but the strong canopy growth from earlier in the season provided the shelter that helped to protect the fruit from the extreme heat. Following the heat spike conditions were very favorable, with warm sunny days and cool nights, Shiraz flavors developed beautifully, along with deep color and excellent structural tannin.

  The fruit was fermented for 10 days on skins in open fermenters. The wine was then pressed and run down to barrel to complete fermentation. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally after which the wine was racked and returned to the same oak.  Aged in fine grained oak predominantly hogsheads (70% new being a blend of 80% French and 20% French coopered American oak, plus 30% being one and two year old French/American oak) for 16 months. The lees were left in contact with the wine and stirred in the barrel to enhance typical Barossa earthy, truffle characters in the finished wine.

  A deep garnet red with purple tinges, this 2009 Reiver on the nose is full of dark mulberry and plummy fruit with earthy, leathery almost spicy tones and a healthy dose of vanilla oak aromas. The palate is rich, full flavored and velvety, it is quintessential Barossa Shiraz.  It truly sings of its origins: Earthy, spicy notes compliment the plum and raspberry fruits- all framed perfectly by restrained tannins. This leads to a palate that is cleverly balanced.

  • "Coming from a 60-year-old vineyard in Greenock, the 2009 Reiver Shiraz was matured for 14 months in oak hogsheads, 70% new and 90% French. It reveals a deep garnet-purple color and an intensely perfumed nose of black cherries, blackberries, mulberries, potpourri and anise over baking spices and violets. Full bodied and voluptuous in the mouth, it is elegantly structured with a medium level of velvety tannins and refreshing acidity, finishing long with plenty of spice layers. Approachable now, it should develop further and cellar to 2019+."  93 Points Wine Advocate

  • "Bright violet.  Black and blue fruits on the nose, with smoky oak, cola and mocha nuances adding complexity.  Lush and expansive, offering sweet blackberry and boysenberry flavors lifted by gentle acidity.  Aeration brings up an exotic floral pastille quality that carries through the finish, which hangs on with serious tenacity.  This is still a baby." 92 Points International Wine Cellar

• 2008 Vintage

  • "Strikes a wonderful balance between ripe fruit and savory overtones, with rich blueberry, blackberry and plum flavors." 94 Points Wine Spectator

• 2007 Vintage

  Vintage 2007 was dominated by very low rainfall- approximately half the average of the previous recorded growing seasons. The extreme growing conditions resulted in a harvest that saw crop loads 45-50% below the average due to lighter bunches, resulting from drought conditions. 

  Harvest was the earliest on record with some varieties being picked mid to late January due to accelerated ripening as a result of small, low weight bunches. All red varieties were down substantially in yield due to smaller berry size, however quality across the board at Mitolo was very good to exceptional.

  The 2007 Reiver has a black/purple color with stunning concentration.  Blueberries and mushrooms on the nose are intermingled with hints of smoked wood.  It is lushly textured with excellent length. 

  • “Dense plum hue. Complex scents of black cherry, plum and mocha. Sweet flavors of blackberry and black cherry. Big, refined tannins and continued impressions of blackberry and mocha in the lingering close.” 94 Points Wine News

• 2006 Vintage

  In 2006, a dry winter, followed by heavy rains, in spring, resulted in vines with healthy, balanced canopies on moist soils. A mild, early summer leading to a warmer period during veraison stopped vegetative growth, allowing vines to channel energy into the fruit. Hot weather conditions caused some stress in late summer, with balanced vines showing great resilience and high potential.  Winemakers and growers did  however  observe crops to be 20-30% lower than the 2005 vintage. Reds were very fragrant with good acidity and length. Shiraz showed excellent quality.

   The 2006 Reiver has earth and spice, some dusty notes from the fine-grained French oak adding further interest and complexity.  Briary fruit and blackcurrant ntoes also provide a freshness to the nose.  The 2006 Reiver shows more restraint than previous vintages, with flavors of dark chocolate, Satsuma plums and crushed leaves mingling with supple tannins and refreshing acidity.

  • "The 2006 Shiraz “Reiver” is sourced from a single vineyard in the Greenock region of the Barossa Valley. The average age of the vines is 60 years. Opaque purple in color, it has a enthralling perfume of saddle leather, truffle, violets, pepper, blueberry, toast, and blackberry. This leads to a full-bodied wine which manages to retain elegance. Opulent, ripe, and layered with spicy blue and black fruits, the wine has enough underlying structure for extended cellaring. Nicely integrated and long in the finish, it can be enjoyed over the next 12-15 years." 94 Points Wine Advocate