Bethany 2017 GR12 Shiraz 2017

The GR12 Tasting Notes

The 2017 vintage is regarded as one of the best vintages in the Barossa and the 2017 Bethany GR12 Shiraz is certainly an outstanding wine.

Cooling breezes fanned the vineyards during the spring and warmer summer months allowing for a gradual, extended ripening period. The vines were in excellent health leading up to harvest with balanced canopy growth and fruit development.

The nose shows fresh, vibrant plum and blackberry aromas which extend to the full varietal flavours on the palate. A richly structured wine displaying an excellent balance of fine grain tannins and natural acidity. The GR Shiraz expresses to the fullest the true characteristics of Shiraz grown on the foothills of the Barossa.

“Reserve wines are a product of evolution rather than creation…” In our case, the GR series evolved after 11 years of Shiraz making. The variety which the Barossa is most famous for was also the most widely planted in our family vineyards and when we made our first wine in 1981 we decided to keep parcels of fruit from different vineyards separate. The classification was made in the vineyard on the basis of micro-climate, soil type and viticultural technique, the parcels were processed separately in four tonne fermenters, and matured separately in new and older French hogsheads.

Over a decade one parcel of fruit kept grabbing our attention. It came from a small vineyard of less than 5 hectares in the foothills of the Barossa Ranges, from old vines on classic Barossa red brown earths overlaying limestone. The vines produce small berries which provide maximum flavour and colour and the breezes on the foothills ensure gradual ripening and fine tannins.

“First tasted 3 years ago, and seems to have been suspended in time since then. The colour is as bright as it was in ’11, the hand-inserted cork looking as if it was inserted yesterday, the plum and blackberry fruits as fresh as a daisy, the overall balance and length impeccable.” Rating 95 to 2023” James Halliday Wine Companion 2016

The GR Philosophy

We aim to produce a traditional wine which expresses the varietal Shiraz fruit flavour as much as possible. The bouquet should be ripe and powerful, the tannins fine and elegant and a palate that has extraordinary weight and length, balanced, to support and express the fruit flavour.

Awards:

This wine comes from a lineage of award winners; the 1998 GR6 vintage took the title of The Visy Board Great Australian Shiraz Challenge Trophy, and The Frescobaldi Trophy at The International Wine & Spirits Competition in London. Both the 2002 GR8 vintage and the 2004 GR9 were highly rated by James Halliday with 5 stars and a score of 94. The 2005 vintage also rated highly, receiving Double Gold at the 2011 San Francisco International Wine Challenge and Gold at the London International Wine Challenge

Barossa Trust Mark – Awarded in 2015 to Bethany GR Reserve Shiraz The Barossa Trust Mark is an honour conferred on Barossa products and experiences that meet an exceptional standard across five values: Origin, Integrity, Quality, Environment, Community

GOLD OUTSTANDING – 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition / SILVER OUTSTANDING – 2014 International Wine & Spirit Competition / SILVER – 2014 San Francisco International Wine & Spirits Competition / SILVER – 2013 International Wine Challenge / BRONZE – 2015 Royal Melbourne Wine Show / BRONZE – 2015 Shanghai International Competition