THE WINES
The wine where it all began – Jason approached his father to buy some of his Nitschke Block fruit in 2001, producing two hogsheads. This dry grown vineyard produces intense and clear flavours, maximized here by smart winemaking and a restrained use of oak. Schwarz’s most classically styled Barossa Shiraz, though the house style of freshness, fineness and balance reigns supreme this release.
Power meets vibrancy. Aromas of blackberry jam, warm earth, prosciutto/charcuterie, which leads into a further suggestions of saline notes, via brine and soy sauce. Has great focus on the palate, black fruits, mulberry, that saline/umami component giving balance; a decent fist of tannin here but they’re ripe and fine. Creosote/tar, and sweet blueberries reveal further with air in the glass. For me, still Schwarz’s most classically Barossan expression of Shiraz, though maintains the house style of freshness and approachability. Fabulous release here.
on any dozen* or non dozens over $350
Any 12 bottles bought together
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Additional Information ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Find great fruit. Handle minimally to allow full expression of vintage and place. A deceptively simple philosophy to raising some phenomenal wines.
Schwarz Wine Co has for some time been at the forefront of contemporary Barossa winemaking, crafting site and vintage transparent wines of perfume, structure, and finely etched detail. The family vineyards provide the backbone of the label, though Jason Schwarz’s relationships with talented growers are paramount to an enviable cache of old vine fruit sources. Touch the fruit lightly, don’t pick too late, keep oak use in check – the house style here is pure and vibrant.
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Biodynamic Minimal Intervention Wines From A Beautiful Adelaide Hills Estate
Owner Damon Nagel started life as a sommelier in Adelaide, moving to London to further his wine education whilst working in top end dining restaurants. Achieving success in London property, he would eventually return to Adelaide, purchasing the beautiful undulating Brackenwood farm in the early 2000s, first releasing wines from vintage 2005.
Winemaking is today overseen by Daniel Zuzolo, ex Primo Estate, with the stable offering interesting blends and lesser seen plantings of Barbera and Gamay alongside more traditional offerings such as Shiraz and Riesling.
Growing and winemaking is strictly along biodynamic lines, with no additions bar minimal sulphur at bottling. A pure set of releases very much at home alongside Felixir’s European offerings, fun styles of personality with enough depth and interest to be taken seriously.
