Grant Burge is shortly to release an as yet unnamed red wine from the 1999 vintage. Made from exclusively Eden Valley shiraz and 100% matured in used and older small French oak casks, it’s a significant departure in style for this highly regarded Barossa maker. The wine received extended maceration treatment to develop an entirely different personality from Burge’s typical Barossa shiraz. It hasn’t much in common with other new Barossa-made French oak-matured wines like Penfolds RWT and Peter Lehmann’s Eight Songs, but is distinctively fine and savoury. I like its sweet musky, earthy and bony aromas and its underlying presence of sweet raspberries and cherries. The palate is fleshy, supple and creamy, finishing long and savoury. I rate the wine at 17.5 and suggest drinking between 2004-2007. It will be released in July this year, around a very reasonable $28-$30 per bottle.
