AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION 2008 James Halliday
Unusual finesse, delineation and line for this variety; no more than medium-bodied, with the finest imaginable tannins. French oak somewhere in the mix but not easy to pinpoint. 94 points!
VOYEUR APRIL 2008
Although highly regarded by the locals the Barossa Mourvedre is largely ignored elsewhere. Wines such as this black beauty are laden with spicy, blackberry scented fruit and a distinctively intriguing earthy undertone.
THE 2007 ADELAIDE REVIEW HOT 100
'A brooding deep-hearted wine with earthy varietal character, dried dark berries and dried herbs, very direct but not overbearing. Typically demanding savoury tannins, tarry notes and toasted spices, all wound in at the finish.'
THE WINE FRONT – Campbell Mattinson, May 2007
The first release of a varietal Mourvèdre from Turkey Flat, the grapes till this vintage destined for the winery's Butchers Block blend. Great to see an increasing number of varietal mourvedres being released too – it's a wonderful variety. This rendition is sweet, silken-threaded, raisiny and supple and easy, a generous, malty, chocolaty flavour oozing through the finish. It is fresh with acidity too, and a touch leathery, which makes it almost feel like an aged wine even in its youth. It will age, but there is no need to. It is soft, cuddly, sweet and ready to rip now. Rating: 90 Points
THE ADELAIDE REVIEW – Nick Stock February 16th – March 1st, 2007
This first brand-new varietal Mourvèdre wine from the Schulz shed on Bethany Road is somewhat of a landmark for vignerons Peter and Christie. A nice progression from their Mourvèdre-based Butchers Block blend, this varietal Mourvèdre is a triumph. They've captured the variety in essence. Rugged yet attractive, there's plenty of fragrant lift and dark brambly fruits, a hint of tarmac, a dusting of pepper, then cola and sweet spices that bridge the oak nicely. Filled with ripe dark fruit flavour in the mouth, they've tamed the tannins into deceptively smooth shape and laced together a toasty delicious finish. Rating: 90 Points.
THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN MAGAZINE - June 16-17/2007 - Max Allen BLOOD OF THE EARTH
This brilliant new wine from Turkey Flat starts with typically varietal forest-floor and blackberry aromas, then goes all luscious modern Barossa red in the middle before finishing with mourvedre's trademark web of firm tannin.
THE AGE - EPICURE UNCORKED INDULGE YOURSELF - Ralph Kyte-Powell
The first straight Mourvedre from historic Turkey Flat in the Barossa. Normally blended with Grenache and Shiraz, the makers reckon the 05 can stand alone. It has a penetrating armoa reminiscent of blackcurrant pastilles touched by sweet spice and vanilla. It's juicy and middling in body, with lip-smacking acidity and moderate tannins.
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE – Issue 167, October 2006
The pure, dense blue/purple coloured 2005 Mourvèdre offers up scents of flowers, blackberries, blueberries, tree bark, and earth, sweet tannin, and nicely integrated wood and acidity. It should drink well for a decade. Rating: 92 Points.