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Bottle per case: 6
Under winemaker Michael Fragos and with input from expatriate Daryl Groom, the former Penfolds winemaker who took the U.S. by storm from California’s Geyser Peak, Tatachilla winery has quickly made a name for itself since its relaunch in 1995. Its reds combine typical McLaren Vale richness with an underlying structure that guarantees longevity. Tatachilla and St Hallett, the important Barossa Valley producer, merged in 1999 and the new entity was acquired by Lion Nathan earlier this year.
Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz 1999 cemented its claims when it was named outright winner of the 2002 Great Australian Shiraz Challenge. This competition offers an important form guide to our number one grape variety. There were more than 200 entries and the judges were leading wine critic James Halliday and Australia’s two leading Shiraz winemaking gurus, John Duval of Penfolds and Stephen Henschke of Henschke.
Tatachilla Foundation Shiraz represents a commitment to excellence in both viticulture and winemaking. Fruit was individually selected from low yielding Shiraz vineyards in McLaren Vale, vinified in traditional open fermenters, then aged in American (70%) and French (30%) oak for 18 months.
Meticulous barrel selection has ensured a wine of great depth and richness, with great ageing potential (15 years plus) if cellared properly.
As well as its status as Tatachilla’s flagship, Foundation Shiraz is a flagship for the McLaren Vale region, alongside D’Arenberg The Dead Arm and Kay Bros Block 6. It has claimed a place in the very front rank of Australian Shiraz, together with such wines as Elderton Command, St Hallett Old Block, Jim Barry The Armagh, Grant Burge Meshach and ultimately Penfolds Grange and Henschke Hill of Grace.
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COLOUR:
Deep black with brick-red hues.
NOSE:
Savoury and spicy, rich and brooding.
PALATE:
Super-concentrated, rich, ripe and fleshy, with roasted meat flavours. Prominent, ripe tannins provide structure.
COMMENTS:
A big and bold style - ideal also for the U.S. market.
