Head Old Vine Shiraz 2021

Description

Winemaker Alex Head’s dream to make elegant Barossa wines began in 1999 while travelling through some of Europe’s greatest wine growing regions, along with his longheld fascination with the synergy of good wine, fine food and happy company at the table. Head Wines is all that and more.

Alex follows a traditional négociant model, an old practice where the winemaker does not grow their own grapes, instead working with a number of small growers. Around three-quarters of the grapes that end up in Head Wines’ bottles are sourced from a carefully chosen selection of these elevated Eden Valley sites. All of these vineyards are farmed sustainably using organic principles where possible; yields are controlled and grapes are hand-picked.

Not being tied to his own vineyards has allowed Alex to spend years understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a number of sites in pursuit of his individual style. Alex creates great Barossan wines that are memorably balanced whilst pursuing styles that are intentional and truly of place. This is sublime winemaking.

“Some say I have a contrary approach. But my motivation is simple. Old World wines captivate me and no place lets me express that better than the Barossa.” Alex Head

About this wine and the vintage from the winemaker: “2021 had its third coolest and driest ripening period in 25 years. Combined with the cool, night time temperatures, Barossa was blessed also with a return to above average yields — happy growers, happy life.”

“We were utterly spoilt for choice in 2021 for blocks going into ‘Old Vine’ Shiraz. At Wilton Hill Vineyards we were able to use what normally goes into The Brunette i.e. Blocks 9 & 10 (Planted 1965) as the base and then a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon from Moculta planted on deep red clay in 1980. We do not push the ripeness here and instead ferment with 10% whole bunch and a gentler extraction. Combined with only 20% new Burgundian barriques (the rest ex-white barriques) for 17 months, the wonderful richness and sweetness of ‘Old Vine’ fruit remains in focus. The 2021 has an extra layer of richness and texture — its flamboyance will surely blossom when approached by richer protein dishes.” Alex Head.

86% Shiraz, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Top 50 Australian Wineries for 2023 by The Real Review.

95 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review  “Deep, bright red-purple hue; intense spice aromas layered with graphite and ironstone; a touch of dark chocolate too. It’s rich in the mouth, full-bodied and deep, with some alcohol warmth and a powerful, emphatic finish that rolls on and on. Deep core of black fruit-sweetness. Superb wine.”

94 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “86% Shiraz from Flaxman Valley and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon from Moculta. I do like that bit of perfume and lift that the Cabernet provides here.
A fair amount of spice and perfume, black and blue fruit, a praline richness, and choc-mint. It’s medium to full-bodied, pliant and rich in sweet dark fruit, supple fine-grained tannin, again that choc-nougat nutty thing, with a stony feel and perhaps a slight warmth on a finish of excellent length. Lovely wine. Fragrant and engaging.”

RRP $43  Our Special Intro Price $32.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine