Barossa Valley South Australia
Soul Growers is small operation and the work of four good mates; David Cruickshank, Paul Heinicke and the Lindner brothers of Langmeil fame, James and Paul. Together they share almost 80 years wine industry experience, but what is most important for them is that they have access to some great vineyard material. Paul Heinicke, who is the driving force behind this small label sums it up best “Slow Grown has multiple meanings for us, particularly with our flagship Shiraz. -it takes time to make great wine – from vineyard selection, oak selection, winemaking techniques and blending the right mix of vineyards depending on the year. It also has reference to enjoying the wine now or ageing for 7-10 years. Our first vintage was 2004 and every vintage is still drinking very well.”
They are old school artisanal winemakers, with wines made in small parcels, using open fermentation techniques and old basket presses. They use no fining and filtration when it comes to bottling, as they want to be as natural as possible. The Slow Grown Shiraz is their flagship wine, from the great 2012 vintage. Only 200 cases were made of this wine, so we are over joyed to include it our selection
The 2012 is a modern take on the Barossa. It is sourced from both the cooler Eden Valley and the warmer Barossa. The wine spends 2 years in oak but where these guys are smart is that they have throttled back on new American oak which represents only 10% of the blend. There is 20% new French Oak with the balance in older oak. What this means is that the wine is not overpowered by the oak and it compliments rather than dominates the fruit. It also gives the wine more elegance and freshness, avoiding the raisiny/ jammy/ stewed fruit that characterised the wines of the 1990’s.
Don’t worry it is still a big, full bodied wine, but there is no way you would describe this wine as a brute. Thankfully it is made for drinking now, so there is no need to put it down for 10 years. The wine is very dark and vibrant in colour. The nose is lifted and perfumed, with spicy fresh fruit which carries onto the palate of rich plum and berry characters. The palate is complemented by subtle, but high quality oak adding a depth of flavour and an elegant mouthfeel.
If more Barossa Wines tasted like this, there would be more bottles in my cellar.