“96 points. There's a lot happening here, all of it good. 80% is sourced from the Eden Valley, 20% the Barossa Valley, co-fermented on skins for 14 days, matured in French oak (10% new), the barrel size ranging from 225l to 2250l. There's a poultice of red and black fruits and ribbons of fine, ripe tannins. You can't deny a wine like this.” James Halliday
The 2018 Head Red Shiraz is an outstanding Barossa Shiraz with great elegance and exceptional length which belies its modest price.
Alex Head’s dream to make elegant Barossa wines began while travelling through some of Europe’s greatest wine growing regions, along with his long-held fascination with the synergy of good wine, fine food and happy company at the table.
Alex founded Head Wines in 2006. It focuses on single site Rhone varietals from the Barossa and Eden Valleys that are memorably balanced whilst pursuing styles that are intentional and truly of the place.
The grapes are sourced from 10 Barossa vineyards mainly located in the higher altitude and cooler sites of the Eden Valley. A real patchwork of different soils (sand, red/yellow clay, limestone, bluestone, quartz & ironstone) brings a true complexity to the blend.
One of the cornerstones of Alex's winemaking philosophy is a meticulous approach to vineyard selection. He carefully sources grapes from old vines, many of which are decades old, ensuring that each grape expresses its unique character and the nuances of the specific vineyard site. This commitment to showcasing the intrinsic qualities of the land sets Head Wines apart.
"I’ve been blessed to find unique, elevated sites in the Barossa where the geology and climate allows me to explore my take on these Old World styles. Here in the Barossa, Eden Valley is my Côte-Rôtie in a New World. Its elevated slopes on an east-west aspect are ideal for exploring Shiraz of contrasting styles."
These sites rise from the Barossa floor and continue all the way up to the cooler reaches of some 500m. Yes, there’s attention to detail around mainly older vines, but also on the ancient bedrock — shallow sites of loamy sand to clay to quartzite gravel. It’s what makes this an exceptional growing region. Ideal for variety of fruit profiles and superb acid retention.
2018 Head Red Barossa Shiraz 14.5% 6x75cl £140.00
A rich full flavoured Shiraz with a good mix of red and black berries, dark plums, pepper and spice, toasty balanced oak, firm tannins and exceptional length.
Impenetrable inky black colour with a deep bright dark red black hue. Elevated freshly crushed blackberry, liquorice and plum aromas emerge followed by vanillin confectionary, toasty cedar and pepper.
Rich and full the palate is both succulent and inky in its feel with blackberry, liquorice and plum in the drivers seat. Toasty vanillin cedar, earth and spicy pepper characters make an appearance on the back half. This is a wine of great elegance and exceptional length.
Alex's dedication to minimal intervention winemaking is another hallmark of his approach. By allowing the grapes to shine through naturally, he creates wines that are a true reflection of the vintage and the terroir. This philosophy has earned him a reputation for producing wines that are elegant, balanced, and capable of ageing gracefully.
Go to Head Wines NOW to enjoy this exceptionally fine Shiraz.