Rockford

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Rockford 2004 Basket Press Shiraz (Barossa Valley)

This superb wine features elements of cola, smoke and earth, but rising above all is the wonderfully pure raspberry fruit. Delicate in texture, with a long, silky finish, this is almost Burgundian in style, not a huge blockbuster, but a model of elegance and finesse. Drinks well now, but as a recent taste of the ’96 showed, these are wines that can age 10 years… — J.C. (11/1/2007)

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Rockford 2001 Rifle Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $40

A beautiful wine whose plum fruit is juicy and pure. Crème brûlée rounds the fruit out on the palate, and lingers on the nose, where there’s also some cocoa. Balanced, restrained and well behaved, with the capacity to make some noise. Absolutely drinkable now, but one of those wines that you’ll just be sad to see go. — D.T. (2/1/2004)

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Rockford 2002 Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa Valley)

Price $53

This Cabernet is a youthful wine, with tannins that are still grabby. There’s a lot to like here—briary, earthy aromas; taut, tightly wound fruit and a fresh eucalyptus bite on the finish. Best to wait a couple of years to see it at its best. Imported by The Grateful Palate. — D.T. (8/1/2005)

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Rockford 2001 Rod & Spur Red (Barossa Valley)

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A blend of two-thirds Cabernet and a third Shiraz, this is a wine with awesome balance and beautiful, pure plum fruit on the palate. Bouquet shows soft red plum and pine needles. — D.T. (2/1/2004)

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Rockford 2001 Basket Press Shiraz (Barossa Valley)

Price $55

Closed on the nose, with traces of mint and black pepper showing through. In the mouth, it’s subtle, with juicy black plum flavors and a great, lasting grip on the palate. I could be crazy, but is there a Grand Marnier-esque orange liqueur note on the finish? Winemaker Chris Ringland calls this wine “a baby,” and suggests aging for at least 4–5 years. — D.T. (2/1/2004)

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Rockford 2003 Moppa Springs G-M-S Red (Barossa Valley)

In contrast to many of the Barossa’s Grenache-dominant blends, this is not a punchy, fruity, glug-it-down style. In fact, the operative word here is delicate, referring to the intricate interplay of spice, tea, herbs, rose petals and red cherries on the nose and the silky tannins on the palate. Drink now–2015, and serve it with some of the same dishes you might… — J.C. (11/1/2007)

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Rockford 2003 Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa Valley)

Despite a challenging year in the Barossa, especially for Cabernet, this is a charming, medium-bodied wine that should drink well for the next 8 years or so. Aromas are slightly leafy and herbal, but also feature plenty of red currant fruit, while the tannins are well-ripened but still show typical Cab structure. Long on the finish. — J.C. (11/1/2007)

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Rockford 2001 Hand Picked Riesling (Eden Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $25

Perfume on the nose is beautiful, like light jasmine or honeysuckle. It’s a feminine wine, delicately built, with more floral flavors bolstering white stone fruit on the palate. Finishes long. — D.T. (2/1/2004)

Most Reviewed Designations

Basket Press Black Hand Picked Moppa Springs Moppa Springs G-M-S Moppa Springs GSM Rifle Ranch Rifle Range Rod & Spur

Most Reviewed Varietals

Alicante Bouschet Cabernet Blend Cabernet Sauvignon Grenache-Shiraz Red Blend Rhône-style Red Blend Riesling Semillon Shiraz Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon

2010 Gauthier Rockin H Ranch Vineyards

Lots to like in this dry, smoothly tannic Pinot. It has complex berry…

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