2008 Barossa Gold Black Money Shiraz

Damien Tscharke's 2008 Barossa Gold reds Making "a fair go" mean something.
When the Australian population began moving en masse to Bendigo and Ballarat to dig for gold, they did more than change the landscape. The instant wealth of migrants and exconvicts subverted the hierarchical British class system and in a definitive moment, the Gold Rush laid the foundations for the egalitarian Australian ethos of 'a fair go for all'. It's something most Australians still put at the top of their list when it comes to values. It's also why Damien Tscharcke is one winemaker who is set to enjoy many seasons of support and endorsement. A genuine eureka moment.
Here are two reds that go some way to levelling the playing field in the Barossa, and which for ourselves, after six weeks of tasting, were akin to discovering a nugget. They come from a small plot, part of a fifth generation family estate located in the prestigious Barossa sub-districts of ‘Marananga’ and ‘Seppeltsfield’, first planted in 1961 by Damien's Grandfather (though the family traditionally operated a mixed farm and stud piggery). After being introduced to winemaking & viticulture at University, the young Tscharke realised the untapped potential of the family's site, already a reliable source of 'A' grade fruit for Rockford, Peter Lehmann and Penfold's top wines. Damien subsequently inherited the vineyard. When you're in a family business it's not an easy thing to break with tradition, but since 2001 Damien has never looked back. In 2008, he's made a further decision to keep all the estate fruit for his premium 'Glaymond' wines, while also sensing potential at the opposite end of the market for which a new label was developed - "Barossa Gold". Consumers and professionals alike would argue that the last thing the Australian Wine scene needs is another brand (there are around 3500 active producers currently in Australia - multiply that several times for a label count). In fact, right now the only way to ensure the success of a new venture is to over deliver on both quality and value plus, plus. If for you 'a fair go for all' is just historical frippery or something facile, try these wines to relieve the bitterness of empty sentiment. The difference between a ‘good deal’ and an exceptional one seems to be growing every day. 'Eureka' moments like this are getting harder to come by. Dig in!
Tasting note...
Sourced from the Tscharke Seppeltsfield vineyard, planted by Damien Tscharke’s Grandfather in 1965, this stand out value Shiraz was matured for 23 months in a combination of new and seasoned French oak. Totally opaque black dark crimson red colour with deep black dark red hue displaying excellent colour saturation. Aromas of liquorice, black plum, ripe blackberry, confectionary and spice. Full bodied the palate possesses an abundance of flavours with exuberant ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum flavours followed by a very spicy back palate. Superb richness and concentration for its price. Fine grained perfectly balanced tannin structure. Excellent length with long aftertaste of spicy dark plum, blackberry and liquorice.
Drink over the next 3-4 years (2011-2015)
Alc 15.5%