Region: South Australia
Sub Region: Barossa Valley
Variety: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2012
The Wine
Basket Press Shiraz is Rockford’s defining wine and one of the great traditional expressions of the Barossa Valley. Rather than coming from a single vineyard, it draws together established Shiraz parcels from grower families with whom Rockford has cultivated relationships over decades.
The winemaking remains deliberately old-fashioned. Fruit is open-fermented in Rockford’s historic winery, gently pressed through traditional basket presses and matured in seasoned American and French oak. The approach favours depth, earthiness and texture over polished oak or winemaking gloss.
The 2012 is a more restrained and savoury expression of Basket Press. Redcurrant and blackberry sit alongside black pepper, dried herbs, liquorice and gentle vanilla oak. Bottle age has begun to soften the wine’s powdery tannins and reveal more earthy, secondary complexity, although the fruit and acidity remain comfortably intact.
Cellared Says
The attraction here is genuine maturity. While younger Basket Press demands patience, the 2012 is entering the point where fruit, spice and savoury development begin to meet. It is not the biggest expression of the wine, but it has balance, detail and the unmistakable character of traditionally made Barossa Shiraz. Stand the bottle upright before opening and decant gently for 30–60 minutes.
Reviews
“A great classic from a great vintage. There are no magic tricks in the winery, just attention to detail.”
96 Points – James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
“Lighter style of Basket Press Shiraz with a distinct herb and pepper top note, some char, red and black fruits and liquorice.”
91 Points – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
Region: South Australia
Sub Region: Barossa Valley
Variety: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2012
The Wine
Basket Press Shiraz is Rockford’s defining wine and one of the great traditional expressions of the Barossa Valley. Rather than coming from a single vineyard, it draws together established Shiraz parcels from grower families with whom Rockford has cultivated relationships over decades.
The winemaking remains deliberately old-fashioned. Fruit is open-fermented in Rockford’s historic winery, gently pressed through traditional basket presses and matured in seasoned American and French oak. The approach favours depth, earthiness and texture over polished oak or winemaking gloss.
The 2012 is a more restrained and savoury expression of Basket Press. Redcurrant and blackberry sit alongside black pepper, dried herbs, liquorice and gentle vanilla oak. Bottle age has begun to soften the wine’s powdery tannins and reveal more earthy, secondary complexity, although the fruit and acidity remain comfortably intact.
Cellared Says
The attraction here is genuine maturity. While younger Basket Press demands patience, the 2012 is entering the point where fruit, spice and savoury development begin to meet. It is not the biggest expression of the wine, but it has balance, detail and the unmistakable character of traditionally made Barossa Shiraz. Stand the bottle upright before opening and decant gently for 30–60 minutes.
Reviews
“A great classic from a great vintage. There are no magic tricks in the winery, just attention to detail.”
96 Points – James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
“Lighter style of Basket Press Shiraz with a distinct herb and pepper top note, some char, red and black fruits and liquorice.”
91 Points – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
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