Hobbs Gregor Shiraz 2007, Barossa Valley
A high quality wine that is probably not everyone's cup of tea, but there would always be fans. Full-bodied and familiar. Dark and dangerous; dense and weighty; rich and layered. The concentrated flavours gained from the Amarone style of sun-dried fruit before fermentation is apparent, and it finishes smooth and sweet with ripe and vivid plums, currant fruit rounded with white chocolate and slight warmth. Yes, Hobbs Shiraz 2007has considerable alcohol content(probably 16%), acidity is nice. Wow.
Secondary sources quoted that the grapes sourced from dry grown vines that are over 100 years old produce wines of richness and intensity and are a pure expression of their unique terroir. Made with minimal intervention and are bottled unfined and unfiltered from hand-picked grapes, this is an iconic wine with status in the rank of formerly Three River, Torbreck 'the Laird', Kaesler' Old Bastard', First Drop 'The Cream', and maybe Peter Lehmann Stonewell, Grant Burge Meshach and St Hallett Old Block.
Overlooking Flaxman's Valley, Hobbs Estate is next door to Chris Ringland, who has been a consultant to owners Greg and Allison since 1995. He is also a consultant to Pete Schell of Spinifex, whose wine we also manage to feature infrequently.
Scores are consistent, such as 94JH and 93WS. For example:
JH94. "Exceptional hue for age; 30 months in French oak may be part of the reason why the wine carries its alcohol as well as it does, 90+-year-old vines another part; the richness of the black fruits is only gently warmed on the finish; 200 dozen made. 94 points, Wine Companion."
