Region: Barossa Valley
Sub Region: Barossa – Multi-site
Variety: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2019
The Wine
Rockford Basket Press remains a deliberate throwback to the way great Barossa Shiraz was once routinely made. Small parcels from established vineyards and long-standing growers are fermented and pressed using traditional equipment before around two years in seasoned American and French oak.
The 2019 growing season was warm and dry, with low yields producing concentrated fruit. In Basket Press that translates into a darker, more substantial expression than the 2018: plum, dark berries and violet alongside fruitcake, walnut, dark chocolate, roasting meat, coffee and iodine.
There is plenty of weight through the middle, but the wine remains characteristically savoury. Oak stays in the background, while firm, silty tannins give the wine shape and suggest further time in bottle will be worthwhile.
This is not the prettiest Basket Press vintage, nor is it trying to be. It is broad, dark and traditional, with the kind of earthy complexity that becomes increasingly attractive as the wine matures.
Cellared Says
The 2019 is the darker and more muscular wine beside 2017 and 2018. If you like Basket Press for its earthy, savoury Barossa character rather than just its fruit, this is a strong vintage to have in the cellar. It’s starting to come together now but should be better again with another few years.
Reviews
“Plum pudding, fruitcake and subtle herb aromas… restrained fruit sweetness at its heart, and appealing balance.”
95 Points – Huon Hooke, The Real Review
“Rich, dark wine… violet perfume… dark chocolate and toasty oak. It’s full-bodied, has good concentration.”
93 Points – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
Region: Barossa Valley
Sub Region: Barossa – Multi-site
Variety: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2019
The Wine
Rockford Basket Press remains a deliberate throwback to the way great Barossa Shiraz was once routinely made. Small parcels from established vineyards and long-standing growers are fermented and pressed using traditional equipment before around two years in seasoned American and French oak.
The 2019 growing season was warm and dry, with low yields producing concentrated fruit. In Basket Press that translates into a darker, more substantial expression than the 2018: plum, dark berries and violet alongside fruitcake, walnut, dark chocolate, roasting meat, coffee and iodine.
There is plenty of weight through the middle, but the wine remains characteristically savoury. Oak stays in the background, while firm, silty tannins give the wine shape and suggest further time in bottle will be worthwhile.
This is not the prettiest Basket Press vintage, nor is it trying to be. It is broad, dark and traditional, with the kind of earthy complexity that becomes increasingly attractive as the wine matures.
Cellared Says
The 2019 is the darker and more muscular wine beside 2017 and 2018. If you like Basket Press for its earthy, savoury Barossa character rather than just its fruit, this is a strong vintage to have in the cellar. It’s starting to come together now but should be better again with another few years.
Reviews
“Plum pudding, fruitcake and subtle herb aromas… restrained fruit sweetness at its heart, and appealing balance.”
95 Points – Huon Hooke, The Real Review
“Rich, dark wine… violet perfume… dark chocolate and toasty oak. It’s full-bodied, has good concentration.”
93 Points – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
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