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Award Winner
Bethany Wines of Barossa
LE Shiraz 2021
LE Shiraz 2021
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Sourced predominantly from a single beautiful vineyard in the Flaxman Valley area, this Shiraz demonstrates the heady combination of purity, power and elegance of which the Eden Valley is capable. A subtle nose of fresh black fruits is lifted by hints of clove spice and bay leaf. This complex nose leads to a full bodied but incredibly lithe palate that is intense, driven and bursting with dark cherries and cooking spices. The velvet tannins provide a smooth framework and lead to a long and balanced finish of lingering black fruits.
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Wine Details
It is a fitting tribute to fourth generation Lawrence and Edna Schrapel who, for over 50 years, were resolute and caring custodians of the Bethany vineyard.
Picked in the early morning, the fruit for this wine was destemmed but not crushed to give a whole berry ferment to maximise fruit expression. After a gentle fermentation on skins for 8-10 days wth twice daily pumpovers the wine was pressed to combination of 72% new and seasoned French oak (both hogsheads and puncheons) before resting for its 18 month maturation prior to blending.
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Tasting Notes
Colour
Rich purple with crimson rim
Aroma
A delightfully intertwined blend of dark cherries, cooking spices and spicy clove oak. Blue fruits and florals give an aromatic intensity and lift.
Palate
Full of dark fruits, ironstone and spiced summer puddings. There is a dazzling blend of intensity, power and beauty on the palate of this wine, sweet dark fruits are balanced by filigreed tannins and lifted florals. The palate has pace and precision as well as mouth coating fluidity. The finish is redolent of dark fruits, turned earth and warm kitchens.
Food Pairing
Roast red meats, game birds and pasta with ragu
Notes
Viticulture
2021 provided us with exceptional conditions for growing high quality grapes. It was one of those years that had a little bit of everything but not too much of anything. We had good winter and spring rains with total rainfall for 2020 being right on the money for a normal average Barossa year (around 450-500mm). This lead to good fruiting conditions and a much more balanced yield than previous, drier years. The growing season then proceeded to give some nice warm conditions. Critically, the evening and night temperatures were always on the cooler side
Ageing Potential
10-15 years
Technical
Oak
100% French Oak, 72% new French hogsheads and puncheons.
Alcohol: 14%
pH: 3.49
Titratable Acidity: 6.2g/L
Gluten Free, Suitable for vegan and vegetarian
Reviews & Awards
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May 2025
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Erin Larkin
The 2021 LE Reserve Shiraz leads with a cacophony of blue fruits, cold tea, raspberry, pink peppercorn, crushed quartz and a pure, saline drive. The tannins are seamless and chewy and create pliable structure from which the fruit can hang. I find the acidity to be bright, almost akin to plum-skin tartness. This is a gorgeous, elegant wine, with black cherry and pomegranate to close. It is warmly recommended. 14% alcohol, sealed under natural cork and wax.
95 pts
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July 2024
Wine Orbit
Sam Kim
Wonderfully fruited and richly expressed, showing black and purple fruit intensity, violet, warm spice and toasty oak characters on the nose. The palate deliers terrific weight and plump mouthfeel, wonderfully supported by velvety texture and beautifully melded tannins, finishing persistent and sumptuous. At its best: now to 2037.
96 pts
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July 2025
Wine Reviewer
Patrick Eckel
A glossy deep red in colour with a generous yet layered nose of plum and blackberry that enjoys a vanillin lift and understated impact of oak. The wine has great balance on the palate with blue and black fruits having drive and impact before fine but firm tannins give structure and length. The sheen of quality oak coats the mouth but remains a supporting role, a touch of bramble and bitter dark chocolate gives nice contrast to finish.
95 pts