2019 Greenock Creek ‘Barossa Valley’ Shiraz

And yet, with so much aplomb, what’s fascinating about this wine brand is the story of the original owners. If you’ve been reading this wine blog for a while now, then you know that wine lovers, and future winemakers, come from all walks of life, but the origin story of Greenock Creek deserves to be right up there at the top of the list for fascinating and unusual career changes. 

Greenock Creek was founded by a humble bricklayer turned winemaker named Michael, and his wife Annabelle Waugh, in 1984.

It took just about a decade for things to click for Michael at Greenock, and by the mid-90s critic Robert Parker began to take notice of the magic happening in Barossa Valley. At this time, the wines of Greenock Creek were big, bold red wines that were high in alcohol; in other words, they fit the exact profile of the bottles that Parker was championing at that time. With Parker’s spotlight, and a slew of 100 pt scores, Greenock vintages sold out in a matter of weeks.

In 2018, after 34 years in the business, Michael and Annabelle Waugh decided it was time to sell the business. Thankfully, Sydney-based entrepreneur, Jimmy Chen, who was a huge fan of Greenock Creek, stepped in and acquired the brand with a handful of other investors.  

Under the stewardship of Jimmy, the brand has expanded its vineyards to 26 hectares, and branched out into areas beyond the original estate in Barossa. New sites now include small vineyard holdings in Lyndoch, Tanunda, Koonunga, and Rosedale.

Chen’s goal is to revitalize Greenock to the glory days of the 90s and early 2000s, which is no small feat, but he has already implemented changes that appear to set this Shiraz-heavy brand on sturdy footing.

The Winemaking Team

When Jimmy Chen took ownership of Greenock, he hired a new head winemaker named Alex Peel, whose previous experience includes Ross Estate and Chateau Yaldara, both in Barossa Valley. Supporting Alex in winemaker duties, and overseeing vineyard management, is Peter Atyeo, who has been with Greenock since 2007.

Shiraz vs. Syrah

A different spelling and a different-sounding name. It’s understandable that there’s a lot of confusion when it comes to the difference between Shiraz and Syrah. But did you know that Shiraz and Syrah are actually the same grape?

The name ‘Shiraz’ was created to refer to a style of Syrah wine that became popularized when Australians were trying to differentiate themselves from the French. In other words, it was a marketing decision that was meant to act as a guidepost for customers.

Old World Syrahs, like the kind that originated in France, are light, lower-alcohol wines with elegant tannins. Australia’s interpretation of Syrah as Shiraz, on the other hand, is bigger and bolder. These wines exude rich aromas, and they have powerful palates.  Both styles share a pepperiness due to the grape’s rotundone compound.

As Shiraz’s style began to take a foothold in the wine marketplace, other regions began adopting the name Shiraz, or Shiraz-style wine, when describing their wine to customers. 

Interestingly, while we consider places like Australia to be New World, Syrah/Shiraz was first planted there in 1832 when James Busby brought cuttings back from Montpellier, France. Since then, the grape has become the most widely planted grape in the country.

Tasting Notes

Shiraz from Greenock Creek is known for its intense, bold palates, and the ‘2019 Barossa Valley Shiraz’ certainly fits that profile. The nose is enticing. Spools of vanilla, cedar, and blackberry are unmistakable. Lighter aromas of smoke and cedar box emerge as the wine opens. The palate is rich and layered. Expect flavors of black currant, cream, and graphite, with hints of black pepper, cedar, and clove, which add expression to each sip.

The wine has a softness to it, thanks in part to this Shiraz being aged in 20% new French oak. In the glass, the wine is gorgeous deep red with purple undertones. The finish is long, intriguing, and balanced. A very nice bottling and expression of Barossa Valley.

This is definitely one to try.