Squeezed between two outstanding Barossa Valley vintages, 1997 was greeted with modest enthusiasm on release. If the 1997 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz is anything to go by, some of the wines of this middling year have developed extremely well. It has developed genuine complexity in bottle and is drinking near the peak of its powers now.
Notwithstanding its warm climate origin, this is an elegant Shiraz, certainly not a blockbuster. Oak is in the background, allowing the spicy fruit to speak for itself. Without a doubt, 1997 is a classy Rockford Basket Press Shiraz, one really impresses.
1997 BASKET PRESS SHIRAZProducer: Rockford
Variety: Syrah/Shiraz
Vintage: 1997
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
ABV: 14.5%
Price: N/a
Closure: Cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 25 September 2011
Tasting Note:
Some development evident; slightly leathery and spicy. Full bodied, but with elegance, raisins, lots of spice and a touch of leather. Well balanced acidity. From an unheralded year, this Basket Press is drinking extremely well now and displays a degree of elegance not often associated with Barossa Shiraz.
Score: 17/20
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