Three Valleys South Australia Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Deep, rich, corpulent, and profoundly structured, the 2002 Three Valleys Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine to ward off the chill of a cold winter’s night. Upon first airing, this Australian rendition of “Bordeaux visits Hermitage” exhibits a ripe core of blackberry, angostura, and finely fired barrel that captivates the senses. In addition, oodles of layered fruit lay over textured tannins and a boatload of flavor in this comely beauty. With additional airing, the distinctive flavor of mulberry and the telltale essence of eucalyptus mend their way through this outstanding offering and further flesh out its already highly developed center. Hints of black pepper, herbs, and Provencal spices begin to emerge as well, adding complexity and flavor to this huggable wine. On the finish the 2002 Three Valleys remains explosive, with both flavor and tannin. Compelling and utterly pleasing at only two years of age, it is indeed difficult to imagine that this wine comes to us as a mere infant, and that additional bottle age will likely enhance all of its inherent goodness. Enjoy this delightful wine now, and for many more years to come.

Lamb, prepared just about any way you can imagine, is our premier choice of accompaniment to the 2002 Three Valleys Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon. A roast leg of lamb that has been thoroughly basted and turned for the first 15-20 minutes of cooking to seal in the juices and flavor makes for the ideal complement to this full-flavored Three Valleys offering. Nevertheless, an artfully prepared beef stew, served with plenty of vegetables and herbs, provides another memorable meal with Rod Hooper’s latest red wine triumph. In a more Mediterranean vein, we suggest serving sautéed filets of beef or lamb with fresh tomato sauce, olives, and Provencal herbs. The latter dish brings out the Hermitage side of this splendid wine. Grilled steaks, shish kebobs, sausages, and well-prepared cuts of game afford other fine pairings. For vegetarians, we suggest the finest selection of natural cheeses money can buy. Bon Appetit!

Three Valleys is a joint venture between two of South Australia’s finest winemakers: Rod Hooper and Tim Gramp. Rod is the driving force behind the Macaw Creek Winery in the Gilbert Valley of South Australia, as well as an oenologist and consultant to many of South Australia’s finest wine estates, while Tim Gramp is one of the world’s consummate producers of Cabernet Sauvignon. Together they have fashioned a very fine wine indeed from an outstanding vintage. The 2002 vintage in South Australia enjoyed a very long warm autumn that yielded perfectly ripe fruit and fine supple tannins – the ideal components for Australia’s quintessential cepage. Under idyllic conditions, a classic Australian blend of Shiraz (70%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) has been fashioned by Gramp and Hooper by drawing from South Australia’s finest wine regions. The Three Valleys Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon combines the boldness of the Barossa Valley with the fragrance and finesse of the Clare Valley, and then adds in the balance and structure that the up and coming Gilbert Valley affords its finest reds. The end result is a very ripe, round, huggable wine that lingers on the palate. We trust you will find this very limited offering as pleasurable as we do.