Rockford Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet 2020
Rockford Wines is a renowned wine producer located in the iconic Barossa Valley of Australia. Established in the early 1980s by Robert O'Callaghan, it has gained recognition as one of the most distinguished wineries in Australia, producing premium Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. O'Callaghan commenced his career as a trainee winemaker in 1965 at Seppelt in Rutherglen, Victoria. In 1971, he relocated to the Barossa and acquired two hectares (five acres) of land beneath the Barossa ranges, where he planted vines and built a winery in the style of the 1850s stone cottage. Rockford's first vintage was released in 1984. Rockford's commitment to producing exceptional wines involves working in partnership with several independent wine growers around the Barossa region. Many of the vines are planted on their own rootstocks and are up to 130 years old, resulting in intense, concentrated grapes and wines with the same attributes. The winemaking process at Rockford is largely traditional, utilizing basket presses, open-topped slate fermenters and a 1880s petrol-driven Bagshaw destemmer/crusher.
The Barossa is a wine region in South Australia named after an English victory in the Spanish Peninsular War. It has two sub-regions, the Eden Valley and the Barossa Valley floor. The area experiences a warm Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and low rainfall, and is characterized by rich brown soils and alluvial sands. The Barossa is home to Australia's largest concentration of old-vine Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre, with many vineyards dating back over a century, making it a popular destination for wine enthusiasts. The Barossa Valley is a world-renowned wine producing area, home to over 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors. It is distinguished by its rich reds and fortified wines. Interestingly, the region is also home to the world's oldest continuously producing vines of Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro, Cabernet sauvignon and Semillon. These vines are a testament to the region's long-standing history and expertise in winemaking.
The Rockford Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet 2020 is a unique blend of two-thirds Shiraz and one-third Cabernet, named after the rod and spur method of pruning. This wine is known for its versatility, sometimes dominated by Shiraz and other times by Cabernet, with the Shiraz component providing spice and soft tannins, while the Cabernet adds a lifted chocolate mint character and tightens up the palate. In spite of being a potent Cabernet year, the wine's texture is loose-knit and supple, with a perfume of blue fruits, mint, gum leaf, and salt bush. The palate gently stains the tongue and has a soft finish, with a ghostly train track of tannins that give the wine a sense of structure and length. This red wine has a beautiful velvety feel and a great sense of freshness and lift, making it a delightful drinking experience.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz 72%, Cabernet Sauvignon 28%
Country - Australia
Region - Barossa Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.8%