2017 Rockford Black Sparkling Shiraz
96 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
Disgorged Aug '17. The price of the wine is irrelevant, the challenge is to find a bottle(s) for sale - it disappears into starless black nights the moment it's released (on strict allocation). Liqueur plums and cherries for openers, then Swiss chocolate with the highest cacao content to provide a momentary flavour balance, then a cupboard full of spices, rose petals and biscotti. This release is magically fresh and light on its feet. It's a national treasure. Drink by 2025.
Words from the Winery
Unlike many of the newcomers, the Rockford Black Sparkling Shiraz uses the time honoured method of ageing quality Shiraz in wood for many years prior to blending and bottle fermentation. The result is softness, depth and complex flavours that are impossible to duplicate in young wines. Sparkling Shiraz made like this is a key-stone of Australia's wine heritage; Black Shiraz ensures that this very Australian wine, nurtured by generations of wine makers is never lost.
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)
5 Star Winery - Halliday Wine Companion
"Rockford can only be described as an icon, no matter how overused that word may be. It has a devoted band of customers who buy most of the wine through the cellar door or mail order (Rocky O'Callaghan's entrancing annual newsletter is like no other). Some wine is sold through restaurants, and there are two retailers in Sydney, and one each in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Whether they will have the Basket Press Shiraz available is another matter; it is as scarce as Henschke Hill of Grace (but less expensive)." James Halliday
"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."
Tourism Barossa
96 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
Disgorged Aug '17. The price of the wine is irrelevant, the challenge is to find a bottle(s) for sale - it disappears into starless black nights the moment it's released (on strict allocation). Liqueur plums and cherries for openers, then Swiss chocolate with the highest cacao content to provide a momentary flavour balance, then a cupboard full of spices, rose petals and biscotti. This release is magically fresh and light on its feet. It's a national treasure. Drink by 2025.
Words from the Winery
Unlike many of the newcomers, the Rockford Black Sparkling Shiraz uses the time honoured method of ageing quality Shiraz in wood for many years prior to blending and bottle fermentation. The result is softness, depth and complex flavours that are impossible to duplicate in young wines. Sparkling Shiraz made like this is a key-stone of Australia's wine heritage; Black Shiraz ensures that this very Australian wine, nurtured by generations of wine makers is never lost.
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)
5 Star Winery - Halliday Wine Companion
"Rockford can only be described as an icon, no matter how overused that word may be. It has a devoted band of customers who buy most of the wine through the cellar door or mail order (Rocky O'Callaghan's entrancing annual newsletter is like no other). Some wine is sold through restaurants, and there are two retailers in Sydney, and one each in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Whether they will have the Basket Press Shiraz available is another matter; it is as scarce as Henschke Hill of Grace (but less expensive)." James Halliday
"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."
Tourism Barossa
96 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
Disgorged Aug '17. The price of the wine is irrelevant, the challenge is to find a bottle(s) for sale - it disappears into starless black nights the moment it's released (on strict allocation). Liqueur plums and cherries for openers, then Swiss chocolate with the highest cacao content to provide a momentary flavour balance, then a cupboard full of spices, rose petals and biscotti. This release is magically fresh and light on its feet. It's a national treasure. Drink by 2025.
Words from the Winery
Unlike many of the newcomers, the Rockford Black Sparkling Shiraz uses the time honoured method of ageing quality Shiraz in wood for many years prior to blending and bottle fermentation. The result is softness, depth and complex flavours that are impossible to duplicate in young wines. Sparkling Shiraz made like this is a key-stone of Australia's wine heritage; Black Shiraz ensures that this very Australian wine, nurtured by generations of wine makers is never lost.
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)
5 Star Winery - Halliday Wine Companion
"Rockford can only be described as an icon, no matter how overused that word may be. It has a devoted band of customers who buy most of the wine through the cellar door or mail order (Rocky O'Callaghan's entrancing annual newsletter is like no other). Some wine is sold through restaurants, and there are two retailers in Sydney, and one each in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Whether they will have the Basket Press Shiraz available is another matter; it is as scarce as Henschke Hill of Grace (but less expensive)." James Halliday
"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."
Tourism Barossa
Style: Sparkling Wine
Varietal: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Vintage: Disgorged 2017
Bottle Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%