2008 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz

96 Points - Sarah Ahmed, Decanter

“Tradition at its best. Small batch, hands on winemaking at Robert O’Callaghan’s retro-fitted bluestone winery employs a 1910 vintage petrol driven Bagshaw crusher, old basket presses and open slate fermenters. This is an expansive old vine Barossa Shiraz with earthy chocolate undertones and perfumed oak vanillin to its fleshy plum, spicy plum pudding, blackberry and cherry fruit flavours. Juicy with supple tannins, the finish is sustained and very satisfying. Terrific balance.”

95 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion

“Strong red-purple; right in the mainstream of the Rockford Basket Press style, with blackberry, plum and a hint of mocha driving the bouquet, and the smooth, supple palate; you absolutely know the wine is idling along, unused power under the bonnet; perfect balance and structure. Drink by 2028.”

93 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review

“Terrific colour, deep dark red-purple. Very impressive nose: powerful oak and superripe fruit, but coconut American oak is very evident. It's intense and certainly dense, not especially fleshy. Lots of licorice, aniseed, dark chocolate and vanilla aromas and flavours. I like that it's concentrated and ripe but not obviously high in alcohol. Good wine but needs time: there is a surprising amount of oak here. It's looking more like a Grange than the Basket Press of yore! Tourism Barossa Robert O’Callaghan’s evocative Rockford Basket Press Shiraz is a tribute to the Barossa’s 19th and early 20th-century heritage. Made from grapes sourced from 60 to 140-year-old dry-grown vineyards (most from independent growers) across a range of Barossa soils, altitudes and micro-climates, the wine represents a rare and important post-colonial Australian aesthetic. (Rockford) Rockford Wines feature high quality traditional wines made from some of the best old Barossa vineyards. The winery and cellar door sales are part of a paved courtyard surrounded by stone buildings dating back to the early settlement of Krondorf. We're committed to keeping the best of traditional winemaking alive and sharing that joy with our customers.”