2008 Barossa Gold Fool's Gold Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre

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 Family Vineyards planted three generations ago Fool’s Gold is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 10% Mourvedre that was matured for 23 months in a combination of new and seasoned French oak. Near opaque deep dark crimson red colour with deep black dark red mauve hue. The nose is quite perfumed with aromas of dark ripe raspberry, liquorice and dark chocolate to the fore followed by some confectionary and spice end notes showing excellent intensity and varietal character. Medium to full bodied the palate is both generous and opulent with flavours of ripe raspberry, dark chocolate, liquorice and a hint of mocha with a spicy back palate. Fleshy texture with fine grained soft tannins and aftertaste of spice, dark raspberry, liquorice and dark chocolate.
Drink over the next 3-4 years (2011-2015)
Alc 15.5%