Shiraz
75cl * Vegan * 14.5% ABV * Barossa Valley, Australia
Dandelion Vineyards is the venture of talented winemaker Elena Brooks, and her husband Zar. Their project makes wines from the Barossa and Eden Valleys, Fleurieu, the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale.
Elena hails from Bulgaria. Her mother worked for a local producer, and so much of Elena’s childhood was spent in a winery. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Bulgaria’s rich winemaking history attracted visiting winemakers from across the globe. As a result, Elena met many international winemakers visiting her mother's workplace. As the only English speaker, she began interpreting barrel room tastings for these visitors at the age of 12. By 15 she was well-versed in the ins and outs of the winemaking process and by 16 she had made her first wine. After formal study and stints making wine worldwide, Elena eventually settled in McLaren Vale with Zar and founded Dandelion Vineyards.
This wine comes from ancient, gnarled vines, some approaching and many over a hundred years of age. These vines not only survive, but thrive, on their own roots in some of the oldest soils on the planet. The vines are planted at an elevation of 221 metres.
Intense crimson with youthful purple hues. Lifted blue fruits of blood plum and ripe blackberries along with Christmas pudding spice, hints of bramble and dark chocolate. Generous mouth-filling sweet blackberry, raspberry and plums cover the palate with lashings of sweet spice. Firm but fine tannins and dark chocolate nuances continue throughout the lengthy palate with its youthful finish. Pair with a mixed grill.