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BACKGROUND
Michael and Annabelle Waugh are uncompromising in their desire to produce the best possible wines. Established in 1978 on the western edge of the Barossa Valley, in the rolling hills between the hamlets of Greenock and Marananga, Greenock Creek only produces 2500 cases a year. Its first release was in 1988. A disciple of Rocky O’Callaghan from famed winery Rockford, Michael Waugh is no stranger to the ultra premium wine scene. In fact, only grapes grown on the property are used, making it truly an estate winery and with fans like Robert Parker Jnr., these wines have attracted a cult following in the same vein as Chris Ringland’s ‘Three River’s Shiraz and Rockford’s ‘Basket Press’ Shiraz.
Another example of young vines making profound wines. Spending 26-28 months in old American oak barrels and small foudres (hogsheads), these wines are bottled unfiltered, and exhibits the intense extract, and style unique to Australia. Made from ultra ripe fruit, they show purity of the Shiraz grape, rarely seen, without being monolithic or heavy.
REVIEWS
“It has plenty of spicy piquancy, from its oak, but there’s no chance of that carpentry getting much of a say in. Kahlua and licorice, plum liqueur, Cherry Heering and deep framboise and cassis liqueur swim lazily about in its incredibly intense bouquet; there’s even that wicked black smell of freshly-polished Spanish leather, like great tempranillo. The palate is an unctuous anointing oil from some heavenly religion not yet invented. While it’s in your mouth it’s all velvety and thick; as it leaves it gives the mouth a creamy coating of bitter chocolate and cherry dessert, and the breath a drying adult tang of alcohol, as if you’d just swallowed a Kahlua and vodka cocktail, with maybe a dribble of Campari. I have never had a wine like it. It is not porty, but more like some of those devilish coffee/chocolate/orange liqueur cocktails I blended in the Exeter as a kid. Magic. Hot. Scary. Impossible.”
94++ Points Phillip White, 1st August 2007
"From the estate’s youngest vineyard (seven years), the 2005 Shiraz Alice’s (approx 600 cases) spends 26-28 months in old American oak barrels and small foudres (hogsheads), and is bottled unfiltered. It is a riveting example of richness, concentration, and body. It should drink well young, but evolve nicely for 12-15 years" 17.5% Alc. 98 points, The Wine Advocate
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