1998 Greenock Creek Creek Block Shiraz

Greenock Creek Vineyard & Cellars is known for its single vineyard Shiraz and Roennfeldt Road Cabernet Sauvignons, all of which are made in very limited quantities and win international praise. Established in 1978 in Barossa Valley, the winery is owned by Michael and Annabel Waugh, who practice traditional winemaking with their relatively old, very low-yielding vineyards. The winery’s most acclaimed wines are Roennfeldt Road Shiraz and Cab, and such single vineyard Shiraz as the Apricot Block and Creek Block Shiraz. Greenock has 45 acres of vineyards planted to Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, and the average age of the vines is 35 years. Annual production of the Roennfeldt Shiraz is 2,500 bottles, and annual production of Roennfeldt Cab is 600 bottles. The winery makes an additional 30,000 or so bottles of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.

South Australia is the nation’s most important wine region. South Australia is to Australia what California is to the U.S. About half of Australia’s wine comes from South Australia and many of the country’s most acclaimed producers are there. Wineries based in South Australia include Penfolds Grange, Torbreck, Amon Ra, Henschke and Jacob’s Creek. The prestigious Barossa Valley is located in South Australia, and is often compared to Napa Valley because it is gorgeous topography covered in grape vines. First farmed by 19th century German-speakers who immigrated from what is now Poland, the Barossa Valley is the crown jewel of the region. South Australia has widely varying climates, from very hot, dry areas to cooler, high altitude areas. There are more than 150,000 acres of vineyards in South Australia, with more being planted each month. Shiraz is king, though the region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Semillon.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.