1999 Jim Barry Armagh Shiraz

Jim Barry is in the Clare Valley in Australia. It was founded in 1959 by the late Jim Barry, who studied viticulture and winemaking in college before moving to the Clare Valley. Today the estate is run by Peter Barry, Jim’s son, and Peter’s two sons. The estate makes Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that “a case can be made that Jim Barry is the finest estate in the Clare Valley…Their Shiraz The Armagh is one of the iconic wines of Australia.”

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.