An Australia Shiraz Wine Review

Peter Lehmann’s 2006 Barossa Shiraz is the third in a consecutive of great vintages from this Barossa wine producer following the earlier years of 2004 and 2005. The 2006 Shiraz has been given a 91 point rating form Wine Spectator and has also been given the #54 spot in the best 100 wines of the year.

Australia’s Barossa; Meant for Shiraz Wines

The Barossa Valley of Australia is one of the world’s great wine regions; revered alongside Bordeaux, Napa and Tuscany with good reason. With consistently outstanding vintages over the past 150 years, six generations of grape growers and winemakers have established the Barossa as Australia’s leader in crafting wines. Peter Lehmann once said that when God created Shiraz, he did so with the Barossa in mind as both the soil and climate are ideal for producing full flavored, fruit filled Australian Shiraz wines.

Indeed, God has shine upon the Barossa. The direct descendents of Rhone Valley cuttings have lived on in Barossa since the 1840’s. When so much of the great vines of the world were destroyed by phylloxera, Barossa was spared. When asked why the Barossa could make so many different wines, Peter Lehmann replied, “Because we can!”  and, it’s safe to add, that he should.

Peter Lehmann 2006 Barossa Shiraz Tasting Notes

When poured into my glass, the color literally made me gasp. Here is the most beautiful dark red that I think I have ever seen. So dark, almost black within its depths, but then the riches ruby red shines along the rim. If I could get my hair this color I would be the happiest person in the world. Seriously, someone should tell Clairol.

The nose is a bit strong in the alcohol content at first, but deeper fruits shine through; black fruits, dark plums, some bittersweet chocolate, and the oak. Makes sense as the wine has been matured in French and American oak hogsheads for 12 months prior to bottling.

The 2006 Barossa Shiraz is a robustly structured wine, with mouth-filling generous fruit. It finishes firm with powdery tannins that continue to soften when it is allowed to breath. Not for the more delicate of food paring, this Shiraz needs something strong and bold to compliment. I have a strong urge for a gorgonzola stuff rack of lamb and am thinking that my mere lunch salad will not be what I am looking for.  The winemakers site recommends rich meat casseroles, steak and roast beef and wonderful with an aged cheddar or pecorino to which I would concur.

Beautiful, strong and rich, yet soft and fruitful; give it some time to open and breath to get the full enjoyment from this ruby delight. It would look just smashing in an antique glass decanter. Wine on the Way is thrilled to be able to offer you Peter Lehmann 2006 Barossa Shiraz on sale for $12.00 a bottle.

And Clairol, take notice; I will be looking for a special read called Barossa!