Bethany Gr Reserve Shiraz 2016 750ml

Sourced from the very finest parcels of Bethany Shiraz from the wonderful 2016 vintage, this wine has all the hallmarks of a great Barossa Valley Shiraz with a unique Bethany personality and character. Made from very old, low yielding vines on the Schrapel family vineyards in the Barossa, harvested at optimum flavour development and complexity, and matured in a blend of new French (42%) and seasoned French and American (58%) hogsheads.

The GR series evolved after 10 years of Shiraz making. The variety which the Barossa is most famous for was also the most widely planted in our family vineyards and when we made our first wine in 1981 we decided to keep parcels of fruit from different vineyards separate.

The classification was made in the vineyard on the basis of micro-climate, soil type and viticultural technique, the parcels were processed separately in four tonne fermenters, and matured separately in new and seasoned French and American hogsheads.

Over a decade one parcel of fruit kept grabbing our attention. It came from a small vineyard of less than 5 acres in the foothills of the Barossa Ranges, from old vines on classic Barossa red brown earths overlaying limestone. The vines produce small berries which provide maximum flavour and colour and the breezes on the foothills ensure gradual ripening and fine tannins. - Bethany Wines

Halliday Wine Companion - 96 Points 
Released only when the stars align (as they have done here), the previous release in '13. Matured for 18 months in used French and American oak and 58% new French oak, a barrel selection returned to oak for 3 months. Perfect balance, line and length, a mix of velvet and silk, a lingering, high quality finish. - James Halliday, Wine Companion, 2021