Dutschke - Barossa Valley

2002 Oscar Semmler

94 points – The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker (October 2004)

Each year I make a barrel selection our most flavoursome and best structured parcels of Shiraz and blend together for the “Oscar Semmler”, representing “the best of the vintage.” Only 14 barrels have been chosen to produce this small quantity of 440 dozen bottles.

This special selection of Shiraz grapes was harvested at optimum maturity from our vineyard planted in 1975, and the must fermented warm (22-28C) for 7 days, before transferring to new and one year old French Oak Hogsheads to complete fermentation. The wine was then matured for a further 24 months in these same French oak barrels.

Again, as with the previous vintages of Oscar Semmler Shiraz the 2002 shows big and full, almost “juicy” flavours of plum and red berry fruit. Spicy French oak characters give support to the sweet fruit mid palate concentration. The finish is long, highlighted by fruit clean acidity and soft drying tannin.