Red Wine

Piping Shrike Shiraz

Piping ShrikePiping Shrike

Shiraz

Barossa Valley, Australia

2008

Producer Notes

This Shiraz is produced at Charles Cimicky. Charles Cimicky produces rich, voluptuous, generous wines with superb balance. Apart from minor drip irrigation in January and February, the vines are dry grown, cover-cropped and organically fertilized. Now in his late forties Charles Cimicky is one of the most quality-driven, meticulous winemakers in South Australia. Piping Shrike Shiraz is named after for the Australian Magpie whose territorial diligence ensures the protection of the Barossa Shiraz grapes from thieving Blackbirds.  Charles Cimicky is fastidious. The winery is completely air-conditioned and individually temperature-controlled tanks are employed in the making of all Cimicky wines. Updated technology includes the unse of a membrane press and rotary fermenters. The Cimickys also have their own bottling and packaging line which is a rarity in a winery of this size.  The shiraz for this wine came from Lyndock & Gomersal in the southern part of the Barossa valley where the Charles Cimicky winery and vineyards are located.

Winemaking

Grapes: 100% Barossa Valley Shiraz from 10-80 year old vines in Lyndoch & Gomersal Yields: 3-5 tons/acre Aging: 35% was aged in new American oak, the remainder in 2-3 French and American oak for 14 months.

Reviews

“Ruby-red. Spicy red berries and flowers on the nose, plus a hint of black tea.  Fresh, precise strawberry and raspberry flavors are enlivened by tangy acidity.  Clean, mouthwatering and extremely appealing shiraz with impressive finishing clarity and cut.”
— 90 points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Jul/Aug 10

“Another perennial Best Buy, the 2008 Piping Shrike Shiraz continues the tradition. Made at the excellent Charles Cimicky winery, it was aged for 14 months in a mix of French and American oak with 35% of the latter new. It offers up a fragrant nose of smoke, bacon, and blueberry leading to a supple, smooth-textured sweetly-fruited, easy-going wine that could use a bit more depth. Drink this crowd-pleaser over the next 4-5 years.”
— 89 points, Robert Parker

Average Price: $14.99
Find it at  B-21.com