Review: Grant Burge 1994 Shadrach Cabernet
- vinterest
- Jun 30, 2015
- 2 min read
The low-down: We're back from Sydney but the festival of vintage Aussie cabernet continues! Following the 1987 Orlando St Hugo and the 1972 Wynns Cabernet this evening we're opening a 1994 Grant Burdge Shadrach.
The Burge family have been making in the Barossa for five generations! Their history can be traced back to March 1855, when noted tailor John Burge immigrated to the Barossa from Wiltshire, England with his wife Eliza and their two sons. John worked as a winemaker at Hillside Vineyards and his love of viticulture was passed onto his son Meshach.
This cabernet is one of their "icon wines". It is named after the biblical figure Shadrach, one of three (Meshach was another) noble youths of Jerusalem, condemned to death in a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon because of their faithful refusal to worship any god but the God of Israel. You may recall that a 15L wine bottle is also a Nebcuhadnezzar...zing!
The blend is 100% cabernet sauvignon - interestingly the grapes are sourced from both the Coonawarra and the Barossa Valley. This set us back A$70 - yeah a little pricey but its 20 years old!
The take: Light, browny-red appearance, runny legs. The nose is chalk, syrup, coffee, chocolate and rose perfume. The attack is initially light, slight acidity, and that substantial, jammy texture of older reds. With time it settles, into a juicy, sweet, satisfying wintery wine with hints of apricot and port.
In closing: Sweet, satisfying, no sign of old age!
Rating: 7 out of 10.
Fact corner:
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra, Barossa
Producer: Grant Burge
Vintage: 1994
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Serving temperature: n/a
Price range: Premium
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