Fruity, soft, very drinkable — a year ago
This Ironstone Vineyards wine is mainly Merlot and Zinfandel, with a splash of Petite Sirah. The nose gives off a blast of smoke which layers over dark fruit, such as plums and blueberries, and spices. Most of the spice apparently comes courtesy of the grapes, since only three months of oak aging was employed. The palate suggests more oak, with plentiful spice to join the bold fruit. It's a bit of a belligerent wine, with the tannic structure to handle a juicy ribeye steak. — 4 years ago
Intense sweet herbs like menthol, fennel, anise, with a touch of vanilla and black cherry on the nose. Tertiary, smoky notes on the palate, smooth finish and delicate tannins — 2 years ago
The final wine at the Peter Lehmann dinner at the Downs Club and the whole point of the dinner. Delectable: this new cuvée is called the Masterson and is a Barossa Valley Shiraz. Wine Pricing in Australia has become an arms race and this new Cuvée has set the benchmark at $1650 for a magnum - only available in magnum. This was sourced from a vineyard in the Moppa sub district of the Barossa owned by Glen Hammerling from vines planted in 1992 on original rootstocks, dry grown in deep sandy loam with ironstone over clay. The wine itself is an exercise in restraint. Matured in a large 2500 litre fourdre imparting minimal oak influence. You could happily drink this wine now or cellar for over 30 years. It is so well balanced. A brilliant wine but is it worth $1650? I think the pricing is too ambitious but the owner of Peter Lehmann, John Casella, the owner of export star, Yellow Tail, probably doesn’t care as he continues to make money from his budget line. 1458 magnums created and only 1000 released for purchase. — 3 years ago
Amazing mid sweet white. Enjoyed poolside in Vacaville CA on a C-5 break 7/21. Very refreshing and mid sweet. Notes of per diem and ambien. 9.4/10. — 8 months ago
Interesting! Strong mesquite and leather, yet still smooth and juicy. Firm but mellowing tannins. — 2 years ago
Vineyard sits in high elevation area on sandy ironstone soils, deep Ruby, purple edges, aged for 15 months in 35% new French oak, with aromas of dark fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe cherry with espresso, leather and vanilla oak. Tannins are a bit tight and rustic on a long finish, good balance, ending with fruit, spice and mineralogy. Just starting to taste well but a few years in the cellar will benefit. — 2 years ago
Peter van den Besselaar
Vintage 2020 | — 23 days ago