Artisans of Barossa Six Origins of Shiraz 2018

Six Origins follows in the footsteps of the hugely successful Grenache Project by the Artisans of Barossa.

Whereas the Grenache Project explored the influence of the winemaker on the flavour and character of Grenache, the Six Origins project will turn your attention to the influence of origin on Barossa wine.

The first Six Origins release focuses on Barossa’s hero – Shiraz. Six Origins by Artisans of Barossa features six Shiraz wines from the outstanding 2018 vintage, each from a different vineyard, each produced by a different artisan winemaker.

Collectively, Six Origins showcases the range of expression in Shiraz made possible by the rich diversity of the Barossa landscape and presents you the wine lover with a ‘journey of discovery’ opportunity. To travel confidently across the Barossa vineyard map through a sequenced tasting guided by the insights of each winemaker into the origins, flavour, character and texture of their wine.

Vintage: 2018

Grape Variety: Shiraz

Region: Barossa Valley and Eden Valley

Reviews & Awards: 

96 points Gary Walsh, The Wine Front Interesting project, I must say. 800 bottles of each wine produced, so 800 six packs available. Particularly amazing hue of purple in these 2018 Shiraz wines, I note. 

John Duval Ebenezer Barossa Shiraz 2018

John Duval selected a parcel of Shiraz from a single vineyard in Ebenezer as his contribution to the first release of Six Origins.

“This Shiraz was sourced from the Ebenezer district, which lies to the north of the township of Nuriootpa in the driest and warmest part of the Barossa. The landscape here is predominantly ironstone rich red-brown loamy soils over sub surface claydeposits. Formed over 200 million years ago, that positions Ebenezer amongst the oldest viticultural landscapes on the planet. The excellent water holding ability of the soils, and the east/ west orientation of the vine rows which positions the canopy to shade the fruit from the western sun ensures the vines perform well in these dry conditions.Flavour descriptors are typically in that blackberry, Christmas cake and spice territory, with overall style parameters closely associated with the plusher, textured styles of Barossa Shiraz. This is certainly a flavoursome and mouth filling wine, yet it still reflects the Ebenezer vineyard character and echoes our stylistic preference towards wines of restrained power and fine tannins.” 

John Lienert Gomersal Barossa Shiraz 2018

John Lienert from Jack West Wines selected a parcel of Shiraz from his own vineyard at  Gomersal on the Barossa’s western ridge as his contribution to the first release of Six Origins.

“Gomersal lies at the southern end of the Barossa Valley’s western ridge. The soils here are mostly brown loamy earth, with rich deposits of red ironstone over limestone scattered across the higher elevations. Good country for bold Shiraz. What defines the western ridge is the extended exposure of the vineyards to the sun, and our vineyard possibly sees more sunlight hours each year than any other in the region. That makes for small berries and thicker skins which produce wines of great colour, intense flavour and firm tannin. For the Six Origins wine, I selected a wine displayed a  heady mix of black/ blue spiced fruits on the nose that flows through to a palate loaded with black cherry and sarsaparilla spice wrapped around a firm tannin backbone. To me, a classic expression of Gomersal Shiraz.”

Corey Ryan & Simon Cowham Angaston Barossa Shiraz 2018

Corey Ryan and Simon Cowham from Sons of Eden selected a parcel of Shiraz from a vineyard at Angaston on the Barossa Valley’s eastern edge as their contribution to the first release of Six Origins.

“We selected a wine made from fruit grown in a vineyard located on the eastern slopes of the Barossa ranges in the Barossa Valley region. The landscape here is challenging, the sub surface geology dominated by rich deposits of marble covered by thick sediments of pebble and bright red soils which have washed down from higher parts of the ranges over the last few million years. The vineyard is at 360 meters above sea level and has an easterly facing aspect, with vines planted east-west. It receives excellent exposure to the soft morning sun, with the ranges behind providing shade in the afternoon which assists with slowing down ripening. Hence whilst located in the Barossa Valley, the distinctive geography of the site results in the fruit being harvested at the same time as Shiraz from Eden Valley. What makes this wine so intriguing is that you can detect both classic Barossa Valley and Eden Valley Shiraz characteristics in a wine made from a single vineyard location. The wine smells and tastes the way it does entirely because of the unique location of the vineyard. Deep crimson in colour with a perfumed spicy mix of wild-berry and dried Spring herbs. The palate is richly concentrated with a focused red fruit core surrounded by delicious, supple layered tannins.” 

Greg & Allison Hobbs Keyneton Barossa Shiraz 2018

Greg and Allison Hobbs from Hobbs of Barossa Ranges selected a parcel of Shiraz from a vineyard at Keyneton on the eastern edge of the Eden Valley as their contribution to the first release of Six Origins.

“The fruit for our Six Origins Shiraz was grown by Phil and Sarah Lehmann at their Boongarrie Vineyard in the eastern Eden Valley, adjacent the Eden Valley to Keyneton Road. The vineyard was planted 20 years ago across an undulating landscape of sedimentary soils dotted with rocky outcrops and ancient redgum trees. At 460 meters above sea level, the elevation tempers the daytime heat and provides cool airflows at night. 2018 was a great year for Shiraz in Eden Valley, with the preceding winter and spring rains topping up the dams and providing a good reserve of water to support the vines through the dry harvest season. On the nose, the wine displays plenty of fine pot pouri notes of dried flowers and herbs. The palate is full of rich black fruit and dark chocolate with red fruit nuances adding complexity. A ripe and delicious Shiraz with a plush mid-palate and refreshing minerality built around a wonderfully muscular structure.“

Jason Schwarz Light Pass Barossa Shiraz 2018

Jason Schwarz from Schwarz Wine Co selected a parcel of Shiraz from Colin Kurtz’ 80+ year old vineyard at Light  Pass on the Barossa Valley floor as their contribution to the first release of Six Origins.

“Light Pass surrounds the village of the same name and sits to the north east of the township of Nuriootpa, bounded by Pipeline Road to the north, Research Road to the West, the Penrice Road to the south and Stockwell road along the eastern boundary. Afternoon easterly gully breezes descending from the adjacent foothills of the Barossa ranges are a significant influence on grown at Light Pass. At 180 - 210 meters above sea level, the vineyards floor benefit from their cooling effect, enhancing red fruit and spice expression in wines that are typically soft, supple and flavoursome. My Six Origins wine is from Colin Kurtz’ vineyard planted in 1933 in a patchwork of ancient deep red and brown sandy loam soils over subsurface clay and limestone. The nose shows a fine blend of red and dark fruits and hazelnut, with flows through to a classic ‘black forest cake’ palate of raspberry, red plums and dark cherry. Typical of Shiraz from Light Pass, this is a soft, plush and flavoursome wine with excellent length, soft tannins and a fine line of bright acid”.

Peter Schell High Eden Barossa Shiraz 2018

Pete Schell selected a parcel of Shiraz from a vineyard at High Eden as Spinifex’s contribution to the first release of Six Origins.

“High Eden is an area of approximately 40 square kilometres defined by its high altitude of 400 - 600 meters above sea level. Located in the upper reaches of the western edge of the Eden Valley, the soils here are yellow sandstone, mixed with quartz rock and decomposed granite. Annual rainfall in a typical year can be 720-750mm per annum, making it one of the wettest parts of Barossa. The poor vigour and low moisture retention qualities of the soils combined with elevated altitude and cool temperatures produce very low yields of an average of 2.5 – 3 tonne per hectare. This Shiraz is sourced from a dry grown 20 year old vineyard at High Eden just below 500 meters above sea level. It’s an easterly facing block, with the east-west vine rows adding further protection for the fruit from the heat of the western sun. On the nose there is savoury spice, and dark brambly fruits which flow to a palate of peppery spices and blue and black berry fruits - it’s cool and elegant in feel – without the overt sweetness inherent in Shiraz from warmer, lower parts of Barossa. It’s what you should expect from High Eden Shiraz, mid weight with good strong tannins, firm, fresh and athletic.”