Australia has become known as the land of big, jammy, robust wines - especially when it comes to Shiraz. All too often winemakers in Australia have given into to the juicy fruit that they are working with and leave no room for nuance and texture. And while the Avatar is full bodied, it is not overly aggressive. It manages to balance the big 'Aussie' fruit with prominent earthiness.
Avatar is a Rhone style blend of Grenache, Mourvedre (Mataro) and Shiraz from 15 to 60 year-old vines. The gnarly and twisted character of these Barossa vines is tribute to their age and stress from the climate. The result is a gaminess from the Mourvedre, underpinned by a spiciness of ripe Grenache, and richness and depth from a touch of Shiraz. Robert Parker, Jr. rated this wine 92 pts and characterized it as having "sumptuous aromas of blackberries, currants, licorice and subtle smoke. This layered opulent effort reveals good acidity, a delicate touch of wood...full bodied with no hard edges."
This is a rare Australian red that is rich, bold, and racy -- yet nuanced and terroir driven. It is equally at home to be enjoyed on its own or as a compliment to a variety of foods, especially ripe cheeses, roasts and grilled lamb. Enjoy with friends.
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