Barossa Valley Estate
Barossa Valley Estate 1996 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
- $65
Offers a compelling, unusual mix of Christmas spice, Worcestershire sauce, tawny Port, meat and pepper on the nose. Bright acids and chewy tannins characterize the palate, which offers juicy, meaty flavors but not the full-throttle, over-the-top lushness that characterizes some other vintages. Finishes long, with dust and bacon notes. Drink now–2010.
— W.E.
(3/1/2005)
Barossa Valley Estate 1997 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
- $65
Super chunky, with hickory-smoked bacon and buttery oak aromas. The fruit is thick like pie, veering toward jammy blackberry. Finishes wall-to-wall, with licorice flavor, medium tannins and heavy oak. A heavy wine that may be tough to match with food, but will no doubt appeal to many people.
— W.E.
(10/1/2000)
Barossa Valley Estate 1997 Ebenezer Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
- $29
Concentrated and rich, from the chocolaty, woody, big-berry aromatics through the black-fruited and oak-laden palate. It’s nothing less than an oaky, mouth-filling fruit bomb, with coffee and smoky wood blanketing the viscous finish.
— W.E.
(10/1/2000)
Barossa Valley Estate 1999 Ebenezer Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
- $30
This isn’t a wine to be held until the next century, but it’s such a ringer that you probably wouldn’t be able to save it that long, anyway. You’ll recognize in Barossa Valley Estate’s second wine E&E’s trademark caramel, mocha and plum flavors. It’s medium-bodied though muscly, with an alluring bouquet of jammy blackberry, chocolate and soil. Yum. —D.M.
— D.T.
(3/1/2003)
Barossa Valley Estate 2000 Ebenezer Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
- $28
Assistant Winemaker Will Thompson calls it “a hug from the inside,” and it’s easy to see what he means: There’s warming, concentrated cassis and mixed plums on the palate, with smoky barbecue aromas on the nose. But be forwarned that the fruit here is so rich that it is liable to suffocate folks who prefer pecks on the cheek to large-scale embraces.
— D.T.
(2/1/2004)
Barossa Valley Estate 1999 Black Pepper Sparkling Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
There’s not much of this sparkler made, because the winery has to make the difficult decision of parting with E&E-quality grapes to do it. Has spicy, fireplace-smoke and plum aromas, with meaty, plummy flavors. On the palate, it offers good mousse, and steady bead. Not currently available in the U.S.
— W.E.
(3/1/2005)
Barossa Valley Estate 2002 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
- $85
A puzzle. An excellent wine with an excellent reputation from an excellent vintage, but one that we felt didn’t quite live up to some of its past incarnations. Has aromas of plum, raspberry, vanilla and oak, with many of the same notes reprising on the palate. As good as it is, there’s something missing this year. Tasted twice; note reflects the higher score…
— W.E.
(6/1/2006)
Barossa Valley Estate 2001 E&E Sparkling Shiraz
- $70
The famous E&E Shiraz also comes in a sparkling version. There’s no denying the quality of the 2001, which boasts bold aromas of toast, cedar, vanilla and blackberries. The mouthfeel is full, creamy and lush, and while it finishes a touch sweet, there’s just enough tannin and acid to keep it balanced. Delicious now, but these wines can age 10 or more years from the…
— J.C.
(12/31/2007)
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