Grant Burge Chief Winemaker, Craig Stansborough

Barossa Valley winery Grant Burge has just (Aug 27) introduced its latest range of vintage red wines and this year’s releases absolutely impress.

For this year’s annual vintage offering, Grant Burge will release eight highly anticipated reds, including the standout 2016 Meshach Shiraz, 2016 Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon and 2018 Filsell Shiraz.

Grant Burge Chief Winemaker, Craig Stansborough, says the latest releases have again been sourced from the Barossa’s finest vineyards and combine the best fruit of vintage with a modern, yet meticulous winemaking style.

“Grant Burge wines represent the very best of premium Australian wine – distinctive, balanced and full of flavour – and the new release Meshach, Shadrach and Filsell are no different,” he says.

Grant Burge’s flagship wine, the Meshach Shiraz – now available in the 2016 vintage

“This year’s vintage release brings the uniqueness of the Barossa region to life through elegant and structured wines that have great length and splendid natural acidity,” Stansborough says.

In honour of Meshach Burge, the great grandfather of founder Grant Burge himself, Meshach is the flagship of the winery’s portfolio and is only released in exceptional vintages. Dense and elegant, the 2016 Meshach offers dominating aromatics of cinnamon, clove, dark chocolate, black pepper and mulberry, and is described by Stansborough as “an outstanding wine from an outstanding vintage”.

One of the other standout wines in this year’s vintage release is the award-winning 2016 Shadrach, which received a Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon in Show at both the 2018 and 2019 Barossa Wine Show, along with Gold at the 2019 Adelaide Royal Wine Show and 2018 Barossa Wine Show.

Specifically sourced from Barossa vineyards that are renowned for producing luxury Cabernet Sauvignon, Stansborough says this wine features great depth and sophistication, and unveils a mix of tobacco leaf, mint chocolate, cassis and freshly ground coffee on the nose. It is abundant in character, this magnificent wine will go the distance and age gracefully with the right cellaring, the leading winemaker says.

Grant Burge’s multi-award-winning 2016 Shadrach

Like the Meshach and Shadrach, Stansborough says the 2018 Filsell exemplifies the unique Barossa climate and terroir and is sourced from a very special vineyard of near century old vines – considered one of the best in the Barossa Valley. On the nose, this incredibly intense wine is a mixture of vanilla cream, plum, milk chocolate and Christmas spice.

A harmonious balance between oak and fruit with a hint of popcorn kernel at the back of the palate, this wine will also age beautifully, slowly evolving into an absolute Barossa classic.

“The 2016 Barossa vintage was an exceptional year for reds in the region,” Stansborough says. “The late January rain combined with milder months allowed for a smooth harvest and favourable flavour development in the grapes.

“While the 2018 harvest was dryer, the water retained in the soils during the wetter months leading up to the vintage produced high quality wines. Warm conditions coupled with the cool night-time temperatures coached the vines nicely to produce vibrant and balanced fruit of exceptional character and flavour, and lower alcohol,” he says.

The Grant Burge range is available for hotels and resorts nationwide from Accolade Wines.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management