Description
Top 50 Australian Wineries for 2023 by The Real Review.
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: “I am privileged to work with small parcels of fruit from old, dry-grown, hand-pruned and picked vineyards across the Barossa.
“We were utterly spoilt for choice in 2024 with many blocks across the Barossa & Eden Valley making a strong statement for inclusion in the ‘Old Vine’ Shiraz. At Ebenezer (Planted 1950s) we used the Riebke SchrapelBlock as the base, then Mengler’s Hill Block 8b & 12 (Planted 1960s), Mattschoss Trial Hill (Planted 1940s) and finally a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon from Moculta (Planted 1980) & Ebenezer (Planted 1950).
“Old Vine is not an exercise in ripeness and we hope the gentler extraction techniques we use help to convey an elegance to our offering. Combine this with 20% new barriques 11 months and the wonderful richness and sweetness of ‘Old Vine’ fruit remains in focus. The 2024 has an extra layer of richness and texture and is our finest to date – it will blossom when approached by richer protein dishes. ” Alex Head
95% Shiraz, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.3% alc.
95 points, Andrew Caillard, The Vintage Journal “This wine is a blend of fruit from old, dry-grown vineyards from both the Barossa and Eden Valleys, a 70/30 split. Maturation included 20% new oak barriques for 11 months. The wine enjoys the inclusion of 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The aim is refinement rather than ripeness. Alex believes that this is the best of this line that he has yet made, and I can find absolutely no reason not to endorse that wholeheartedly. An inky dark purple/maroon hue, the nose is redolent of chocolate, mocha, coffee beans, liquorice, charcuterie and cassis. Generous to a fault, there is a seductiveness to this wine that is compelling. On the palate, we see more and more chocolate emerging with notes of liqueur cherries. There is serious intensity for the full length, while the balance is maintained. A fine line of acidity and satiny tannins complete the picture. Enjoy this over the next 15 years. A cracker.”
93 points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review “Ink black core, deep purple tones at the rim. Mulberry, bitumen and crushed violets on the nose. Powerful and intense but with a sense of freshness throughout. Dark berry fruit and plum notes sit in the centre while anise, ironstone and hints of mocha add character and detail. Finely boned tannins carry it long and they tighten the long finish well. Still very youthful and it will reward cellaring.” Oct 2025.
RRP $44 Our Special Price $34.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.