Make no mistake, 2008 wasn't an easy vintage in Barossa, it was a dry growing season with a mild summer that provided the potential for an outstanding vintage with great colour and flavour. Rockford pulled up their boostraps that year and turned out an authentic and honest wine. A wine with plenty of lift and vanilla perfume in amongst plum and blackberry, new leather, pepper and cacao nibs. Medium to full bodied with slightly tarry fruit married to malty oak. A charismatic release from Rockford, plenty to love.
Robert O’Callaghan’s evocative Rockford Basket Press Shiraz is made from grapes sourced from 60 to 140-year-old dry-grown vineyards (most from independent growers) across a range of Barossa soils, altitudes, and micro-climates, the wine represents a rare and important post-colonial Australian aesthetic. This embodiment of the region's rich history and diverse terroir ensures that each bottle of Rockford Basket Press Shiraz carries the legacy of the Barossa, creating an extraordinary sensory experience that speaks to the heritage and artistry of winemaking.
Rockford's flagship wine is the Basket Press Shiraz, aged in French and American oak hogshead barrels for two years prior to release. It is one of Australia's more sought-after wines and has regularly achieved high scores from critics. Acquiring one of these bottles can be quite the challenge, especially when it comes to securing a museum release.
The beauty of the wine truly lies in its unique wine making techniques. Embracing a tradition that sets it apart, every step is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of its origin. The journey begins with hand-picked fruit, carefully selected for its optimal ripeness and quality. Following this, classic Barossa techniques come into play, including the utilization of a 19th-century wooden Bagshaw crusher, open fermentation, and the time-honoured method of basket pressing. As the wine matures, it is nurtured in seasoned 300-litre French and American oak hogsheads, along with 2500-litre vats, allowing it to develop and evolve over a period of two years. This patient process ensures that the wine attains a remarkable balance, as the oak imparts its subtle influence, enhancing the complexity and depth of flavours.
The result is a wine that embodies the rich heritage and craftsmanship of its winemaking techniques. Each sip unveils a symphony of flavours, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail and dedication that goes into creating a truly exceptional wine. Discover the beauty that lies within, as this wine tells a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and the artistry of winemaking.
