Product Information:
Robert O’Callaghan’s evocative Rockford Basket Press Shiraz is 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. This embodiment of the region's rich history and diverse terroir ensures that each bottle of Rockford Basket Press Shiraz carries the legacy of the Barossa, creating an extraordinary sensory experience that speaks to the heritage and artistry of winemaking.
Rockford's flagship wine is the Basket Press Shiraz, aged in French and American oak hogshead barrels for two years prior to release. It is one of Australia's more sought-after wines and has regularly achieved high scores from critics. Acquiring one of these bottles can be quite the challenge, especially when it comes to securing a museum release.
The beauty of the wine truly lies in its unique wine making techniques. Embracing a tradition that sets it apart, every step is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of its origin. The journey begins with hand-picked fruit, carefully selected for its optimal ripeness and quality. Following this, classic Barossa techniques come into play, including the utilization of a 19th-century wooden Bagshaw crusher, open fermentation, and the time-honoured method of basket pressing. As the wine matures, it is nurtured in seasoned 300-litre French and American oak hogsheads, along with 2500-litre vats, allowing it to develop and evolve over a period of two years. This patient process ensures that the wine attains a remarkable balance, as the oak imparts its subtle influence, enhancing the complexity and depth of flavours.
The result is a wine that embodies the rich heritage and craftsmanship of its winemaking techniques. Each sip unveils a symphony of flavours, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail and dedication that goes into creating a truly exceptional wine. Discover the beauty that lies within, as this wine tells a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and the artistry of winemaking.
Maker:
Discover the essence of Barossa Valley's heart in Tanunda at Rockford, where a legacy of tantalizing taste experiences has been crafted since the 1980s. During those times, the land was more accessible, offering an inviting opportunity for aspiring winemakers to thrive. Robert O'Callaghan, the visionary founder and proprietor, seized the moment and acquired the property that is now home to Rockford. Building strong connections with local grape growers and acquiring top-notch winemaking equipment, Robert embarked on his remarkable winemaking odyssey at Rockford, paving the way for unforgettable wine journeys.
Since its inception, Rockford has embraced a small-scale approach, nurturing close relationships with growers and forging genuine connections with customers. This steadfast commitment to personal connections sets Rockford apart, a competitive edge that stems from decades of fostering rapport within the local community. The land upon which Rockford stands boasts a rich history, its buildings and equipment carefully preserved throughout the years, exuding an enchanting antique charm. During the exploration of the premises, the captivating aroma of wine production permeates the air, immersing individuals in a sensory experience that harmoniously blends with the site's distinctive ambiance. Amidst the allure of Rockford's surroundings, the wines themselves take centre stage. Crafted with passion and meticulous attention to detail, they encapsulate the essence of Barossa Valley's terroir. Each sip unveils a delightful flavour profile, a testament to Rockford's dedication to producing wines that captivate the palate and evoke a genuine sense of pleasure.
Vineyard:
In addition to the small home vineyard, Rockford works in partnership with several independent wine growers around Barossa, with vineyards in Kalimna, Ebenezer, Moppa Springs, the Eden Valley and central Barossa. This gives Rockford a wide variety of soil types, mesoclimates and altitudes for its grapes. Many of the vines are planted on their own rootstocks and range up to 130 years old, giving intense, concentrated grapes, and wines with the same attributes. Winemaking is largely traditional, using basket presses, open-topped slate fermenters and a 1880s petrol-driven Bagshaw destemmer/crusher.
Tasting Note:
Nose - Liqueured Black Berry, Raspberry, Tobacco
Knockout aromas of blackberry liqueur intermixed with licorice, smoke, and meaty notes.
Palate - Musk, Blueberry, Chocolate
Deep, musky and perfumed, its spicy and accentuated cassis, plum and blueberry shiraz flavours are balanced by chocolate/cedary oak and fine, tight-knit tannins.
Finish - Power, Richness, Harmony
A wine of majestic strength and power, richness and harmony, this full-bodied behemoth shows velvety tannin, 45+ seconds length.
I prefer the wines of 1996 to any other Barossan vintage of the 1990s. Rockford has played it truly. Big and dense and imposing, with oak and volatility splashing about in the glass. Move past that, and find liqueured blackberry, a touch of spice, raspberry and tobacco complexity. There’s no shortage of interest here, nor of fruit concentration. It hits your mouth like a perfect cover drive, it flows through the finish like Kim Hughes has just lofted one over the bowler’s head. - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 Points.
A wine of majestic strength and power, richness and harmony, this full-bodied behemoth shows velvety tannin, 45+ seconds length, and knockout aromas of blackberry liqueur intermixed with licorice, smoke, and meaty notes. The wine is viscous yet nicely supported by acidity and ripe tannin. Still extremely youthful and unevolved, this wine will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring and keep for 20-25 years. This is undoubtedly a great vintage of Rockford. - Robert Parker
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Barossa Valley
Vintage - 1996
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%
