The Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro combines all three of the great Rhone red varieties, harmonising the unique attributes of each variety into a complete wine. The blend is predominantly Grenache (approximately two thirds – vintage dependent) from mature Barossa Valley Grenache bush vines, with Shiraz and Mataro making up the balance. The vines range from 80 to 120 years old and are all dry grown. The parcels are matured for 18 months in 2,400 litre French oak foudres prior to blending and bottling. As the dominant component, Grenache offers powerful aromas of red fruits, kirsch and black cherries, complemented by mincemeat, leather, game and heavy spices from the Shiraz and Mataro influences.
“The Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro is intense in its perfumed aromas of cherry liqueur and blackberry compote, with notes of spice and anise. The palate is voluptuous and supple, with the Grenache component shining through. Flavours of dark fruits predominate with velvety tannins providing a backbone to carry the flavours through to the finish.”
DAVE POWELL
The 2018 Powell & Son Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro is a masterful blend of classic Rhône varieties sourced from historic, mature bush vines across the Barossa Valley floor, benefiting from a low-yielding and deeply concentrated 2018 vintage.
- Aromas: Intense aromatics of cherry liqueur, black raspberry, and blackberry compote, followed by complex wafts of aniseed, vanillin cedar, and woodsmoke.
- Palate: Full-bodied and plush, featuring a kaleidoscope of dark berry fruits, leather, and black pepper wrapped in a polished yet muscular tannin profile.
- Style: Rich and opulently textured, balancing the vibrant red fruit perfume of Grenache with the dense, savory depth and structure of Shiraz and Mataro.
- Winemaking: Composed of 60% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, and 20% Mataro, fermented separately, and matured for 15 months in large, premium French oak foudres.
- Cellaring: Showing magnificent savory integration and silken harmony right now, but possesses the outstanding backbone to continue aging gracefully through 2030.
- Food Pairing: Pairs magnificently with slow-roasted pork belly, juniper-glazed rack of lamb, wood-fired wagyu steak, or rich duck breast ragù.
This exceptional GSM blend represents a seamless execution of Dave Powell's signature style, expertly marrying the vibrant fruit perfume of ancient bush vines with the unapologetic structural power and old-school craftsmanship that defined his global winemaking legacy.
Powell & Son
Powell & Son may be a relatively new label, but it is the creation of a man with one of the most formidable reputations in Australian wine. Dave Powell is the founder of Torbreck — the Barossa juggernaut that took the wine world by storm in the 1990s — and he brings that same depth of knowledge and conviction to everything he does.
That inspiration is reflected in the varieties Powell & Son work with: Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro for the reds, and Roussanne, Marsanne and Eden Valley Riesling for the whites — the classic Rhône palette transplanted into two of Australia's most celebrated wine regions, and interpreted with the kind of quiet mastery that only comes from a lifetime in the vines.
