We recently decided to begin presenting Greenock Creek wines to a select list of Australian wine commentators. Validation of our wine quality is not necessarily the prime motivator, although seeing them listed amongst the ranks of Australia’s finest is very comforting. We’ve always aimed to be a proud standard bearer for rich and powerful Barossa red wines, and believe adopting a proactive approach to creating engaging conversation with leading wine commentators is an important element of that process.
For over 40 years, James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion has been the guide to Australia’s best wineries and finest wines. The 2022/23 edition was released in early August, and scores and comments by Barossa reviewer Dave Brookes of new vintage Greenock Creek wines are consistently strong, rising to exceptional. The winery also achieved a 5 star rating in just the second year of listing in the Companion, and our 2019 Fifteen Claims Shiraz was selected for the ‘Best of Shiraz’ list.
We are happy to share this short summary of scores and reviews.
2019 Fifteen Claims Moppa Shiraz – 97 points & ‘Best of Variety’ list
“Weighty, full bodied and super-concentrated, with ripe, sandy tannins retreating back into the fruit and intense blackberry jam and a cedary plume on the long finish.”
2020 Third Estate Moppa Shiraz – 96 points
“Dredged with deep spice, licorice, dark bitter chocolate and earth. Pitch-perfect tannin support, incredible fruit density and balance despite heady alcohol levels. Super-impressive.”
2020 Alices Shiraz – 95 points
“There's some assertive fine-ground tannin, dark chocolate-dipped raspberries, plenty of spice and licorice and it's a wonderful, voluptuous sashay of fruit across your palate.”
2020 Seppeltsfield Cabernet Sauvignon – 95 points
“Deep, impenetrable red-purple colour with a wash of concentrated red and black berry fruits, cedary oak, some prune, deep spice and earthen tones in the mix also. Incredibly concentrated and dense, which is a Greenock Creek trademark, an impressive trademark at that. A ripper.”
2019 Seven Acre Shiraz – 93 points
“Densely packed and super-concentrated cassis, dark plum and blackberry jam notes underscored by dark spice, cedary oak, blackstrap licorice, dark chocolate and earth. Ripe chewy tannins and bright acidity drive it along nicely. Classic Greenock Creek.”
2020 Apricot Block Shiraz – 93 points
“Super-ripe and concentrated blackberry fruits are joined by hints of dark spice, salted black licorice, dark bitter chocolate, dried citrus rind, pressed flowers and earth. Rich and opulent, it cuts a thick-shouldered path across the palate, chewy black-tea tannins in support and substantial weight on the finish.”
2021 Cornerstone Grenache – 92 points
“Bright red purple in the glass with vibrant, floral-flecked red plum, raspberry and mulberry fruits, exotic spice, gingerbread, red licorice and frangipani high tones. Lovely fruit and bright acid cadence, a little alcohol poking through but that fruit is killer.”
2019 Stone Block Shiraz – 91 points
“Deep blackberry, dark plum and cassis notes cut with oak spice, dark chocolate, strap licorice, clove and brandied fruits. Full bodied, rich in black fruits with strong, grainy tannin heft and a bit of warmth on the spicy finish.”
2019 Barossa Valley Shiraz – 91 points
“Deep red in the glass with bright blackberry, black cherry and plum, dark spice, blackstrap licorice, crème de cassis and earth. Full bodied and intensely concentrated, with strong sandy tannins, bright acidity, a little warmth on the exit and a tail of unctuous black fruits.”
2020 Casey’s Block Shiraz – 91 points
“Deep, impenetrable red in the glass with aromas of ripe blood plums, blackberry and dried cranberry underscored by salted black licorice, dark spices, macerated prunes and dark chocolate. Impressive fruit density and heft with super-ripe tannin heft and a velvety spiced plum and fig exit. Just a touch of heat on leaving.”
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