Winestate, March/April, 2010
Best buys under $ 20 - Wine and Spirit Insider March 2010

The Shiraz grapes for this outstanding wine has been hand harvested from 60-80 year old vineyards from the Barossa Valley floor in Greenock, Nuriootpa, and Ebenezer. The selected Shiraz bunches were hand sorted, destemmed and crushed into 3 Tonne wooden Vats. The fermentation at temperatures 20 – 25 degrees continued on skins for 30 days. Careful pumpover and cooling of the must took place daily after which the free run wine was run-off directly into new French Oak barriques. The remaining Shiraz must was transferred to a small wooden Basket Press with the dark pressings transferred to one year old French oak barrels for maturation. After 18 months aging in the cellars the barrels were meticulously blended to form this quite brilliant 2008 Tendril Shiraz.

MERITS

JAMES HALLIDAY 2011 WINE COMPANION - 4.5 STARS

Good colour and depth: well structured and full of flavour: has blackberry, plum and dark chocolate aromas and flavours supported by ripe tannins. 14 % alc.

Rating 90. Drink to 2016. Rated as Special Value.

COMMENTS

A standout Harbord from 2008, very small production cult Barossa Valley Shiraz. A superlative concentrated pure Tendril Shiraz has once again been produced.

Deep dark red colour. Intense ripe wild berry fruits with hints of black licorice and dark chocolate. Full rich and concentrated with subtle new oak. Excellent layered structure of opulent fruit and big velvety tannins. Very fresh and fine, powerful but balanced.

Cellar and ready to drink 2015 – 2020.

ROGER HARBORD - WINEMAKER