Climbing Shiraz 2005
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Winemaker Philip Shaw describes this wine as "having good intense color, rich vibrant fruit and a touch of oak with intense plum fruit dominating. What I like about this wine is that under the plum, some white pepper flavors are emerging, very typical of the Orange region. The Climbing 2005 Shiraz will evolve well with up to 10 years cellaring."
The name Climbing is an active reference to our high vineyard and our continual quest for adventure. The passion of winemaker Philip Shaw has unleashed the potential of the vineyard and the region.
Though Syrah originated in the Rhône Valley of France, Australia is home to the oldest Syrah (called Shiraz here) vines on the planet. Found in Australia’s Barossa Valley, where phylloxera has never threated viticulture, these ancient vines are between 140 to 175 years old!
Having brought fame and merit to the country’s wine scene since the early 1950s, namely via the debut of Penfolds Grange, today Syrah (Shiraz) claims rank as the most widely planted grape in Australia. In fact, the amount of land dedicated to Shiraz in Australia is now almost equivalent to what it is in France. Australian Shiraz has its own personality with flavors and aromas of intense blackberry, fruitcake, menthol, tobacco leaf and umami. Conveniently one can find great Australian Shiraz at a variety of price points but the very best will be dense, gloriously complex and capable of long aging.