Icon Wines Meshach Shiraz
{THE FRUIT}
The fruit for this Iconic Shiraz is carefully handpicked from the Filsell Vineyard, where the vines are nearing 100 years old. Smaller parcels are also sourced from even older premium vines in the Barossa to add further complexities to the wine. The age of these vines means Meshach is made from fruit with tremendous concentration and intensity. The 2004/5 growing season saw average winter rainfall and good summer rains with mild ripening conditions which saw slightly above average crops of excellent quality; giving rise to powerful and stylish Shiraz wines.
{THE WINEMAKING}
After crushing, the juice was fermented down to a Baumé of approximately 1°, then pressed before being transferred to barrel, mainly American and a small portion of French oak hogsheads, to complete primary and secondary fermentation. After the wine was racked and the barrels cleaned, the wine was returned to the same oak for 22 months maturation. The wine was then bottled and aged for another three years before release.
{THE COMMENTS}
The 2005 Meshach shows great depth and intensity in the dark red colouring of the wine, together with its youthful purple hues. The wine shows intense lift from the glass with a complex array of aromas including; raspberry coulis, Irish moss, old leather, and some subtle confectionary marshmallow like notes. These aromas are complimented with cocoa powder, milk chocolate, a hint of bitumen, sweeter tar characters and fresh green pine needles. The palate is sumptuous and carries on with flavours of swiss chocolate, savoury spices, raspberry fruit, a hint of toasted oak and bushfire ash. The powerful palate shows a complex combination of flavours, with excellent length and balance; this 2005 Meshach will not disappoint. As with the Meshach’s gone before it, the elegant 2005 vintage should be enjoyed on special occasions and will appeal to the collector in you with this Grant Burge Wines flagship Shiraz’s ageing potential upward of 20 years with careful cellaring.
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{THE REVIEWS}
- Vintage: 2005
- Wine Enthusiast — November 2007
- 2010 Australian Wine Companion — James Halliday
- National Liquor News April 2010
- WBM — April 2010
- Illawarra Mercury — April 2010
- Tony Love — April 2010 Adelaide Advertiser, Sunday Times, Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph *95 points*
- John Lewis Newcastle Herald Apr 10
- Newcastle Herald — April 2010
- Huon Hooke- Sydney Morning Herald — Mar 2010
- John Fordham — Sunday Telegraph March 2010
- Selector — April 2010
- James Halliday — The Weekend Australian — May 2010
- Louise Radman — Adelaide Advertiser May 2010
- Jeff Collerson — Daily Telegraph May 2010
- Mike Burnett — Meshach asking price a fair trade for fine flavour — Launceston Examiner May 2010
- Rob Ingram — Country Style July 2010
- James Halliday — Australian Wine Companian 2011 Edition
- Huon Hooke — Gourmet Traveller August 2010
- Chris Shanahan — Top Drops Canberra Times August 2010
- Vintage: 2004
- 22/3/2009 By John Fordham
- wine — Mike Frost, May 2009
- 2010 Australian Wine Companion -James Halliday
- Wine & Spirits USA
- Vintage: 2003
- Illawarra Mercury, May 2008
- Liquor Watch May 2008
- John Lewis, Newcastle Herlad, 7th May 2008
- Graeme Phillips, Sunday Tasmanian, 18th May 2008
- James Haliday-2009 Australian Wine Companion
- 2009 Australian Wine Annual- Jeremy Oliver
- Vintage: 2002
- Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury, Drop of the Week, April 2007
- Australian Finacial Review -Tim White-April 2007
- Adelaide Advertiser- Tony Love- June 2007
- Launceston Examiner- Mike Burnett- April 2007
- Sunday Canberra Times- April 2007
- Border Mail- June 2007
- Sunday Telegraph- April 2007
- Hobart Mercury- Graeme Phillips- April 2007
- Herald Sun- Paddy Kendler- April 2007
- Courier Mail- Ken Gargett- May 2007
- Daily Telegraph- Jeff Collerson- July 2007
- Wine Spectator USA- July 2007
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar July/ August 2007
- 2008 Australian Wine Annual — Jeremy Oliver; July 2007
- Wine Enthusiast -November 2007
- Wine Advocate- Jay Miller November 2007
- James Halliday- 2009 Australian Wine Companion
- Max Crus — July 2010
- Vintage: 2001
- Harvey Steiman Editor at large, Wine Spectator USA Jan 2006 & May 2006
- Sunday Times, Western Australia, May 06
- The Many Shades of Shiraz by Paul Foster, Charter Journal, August 2006
- Decanter UK, September 2006
- James Halliday, Wine Companion 2006
- Darryl Thomas, Sunday Territorian October 2006
- Winestate Magazine January 2007 4.5 stars
- Vintage: 2000
- The Herald, December 2004
- The Sunday Telegraph, October 2004
- Vintage: 1999
- OnWine Report December 2002 – January 2003
- Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
- James Halliday, December 2002.
- Robert Mayne, The Canberra Times, May 2003
- Illawarra Mercury, 28 May 2003
- Vintage: 1998
- Jeremy Oliver, OnWine Report, April 2002
- Robert Mayne, Canberra Times, 9th April 2002
- John Fordham, Sunday Herald, 19th May 2002
- Bill Thompson, The Sunday Times, 17th March 2002
- Miles Nolier, The Good Wine Guide, May 2002
- Winestate Magazine, March/April 2002
- Charmian Smith, Otago Daily Times, 15th May 2002
- Winestate Magazine, May/June 2002
- Ralph Kyte-Powell, Uncorked, The Age, July 23, 2002
- Jeff Collerson, The Daily Telegraph, July 3, 2002
- Graeme Phillips, The Sunday Tasmanian, July 21, 2002
- Winestate, September/October 2002
- Ray Jordan, The West Australian, July 24 2002
- Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
- Robert Mayne, Canberra Times, 9th April 2002
- Tim White, Decanter Magazine, March 2003
- Wine Enthusiast — November 2007
- Vintage: 1996
- Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
- Ray Jordan, The West Australian, 25th July 2001
- Vintage: 1995
- Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
- Jeremy Oliver, OnWine Report, October- November, 1999
- Vintage: 1994
- Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
- Jeremy Oliver, OnWine Report, Oct — Nov, 1999
- Vintage: 1993
- Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
- Winestate Magazine, May/June 1997
- Vintage: 1992
- Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
- Jeremy Oliver, OnWine Report, Oct- Nov, 1999
- Vintage: 1991
- Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
- Winestate Magazine, May/June 1997
- Vintage: 1990
- Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
- Winestate Magazine, May/June 1997
- Vintage: 1988
- Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
- Winestate Magazine, May/June 1997
Wine Enthusiast — November 2007
“ Wine Enthusiast — 91 points As might be experience from a wine not to be released until 2010, this is showing little development or complexity at this stage. What it does have is bountiful raspberry and blueberry fruit and lashings of vanilla, caramel and cedar. Should be a good one down the road. ”
2010 Australian Wine Companion — James Halliday
“ 95 POINTS Deep, dark, brooding and absolutely jammed with fruit and personality; the palate is dense, the flavours compelling, and despite the obvious weight of the wine, the finish is poised, fresh and very long; often one of the best wines in the stable. ”
National Liquor News April 2010
“ April 2010 GRANT BURGE WINES received two distinguished Blue Gold awards for its super premium Icon wines — the 2005 Meshach Shiraz and 2006 Shadrach Cabernet — at the 2010 Sydney International Wine Competition. Attributing the success to his determination to produce more elegant wines, Grant Burge said he was delighted with the result "There was a tendency in the 1990s to produce Barossa red wines that delivered very powerful up front fruit supported by obvious American Oak and probably a bit too much alcohol in some o fthe warmer years," Burge said. "We've worked really hard in both the vineyard and he winery since the 2000 vintage to change that. The goal has been to make a flagship wine that can be enjoyed now for its elegance, as a complement to subtle dishes, but it will still have the structure and intensity in ten years time to match the heartiest meal" ”
WBM — April 2010
“ The new 2005 Meshach has been launched to key consumers and media at a series of events around Australia. Now in it's sixteenth vintage, the wine has been through a lengthy process of evolution and refinement. … at the time the 2005 vintage wasn't celebrated as much as 2004. It was a textbook year with a long slow Indian summer and so there were no extremes to complain about. But those cool Autumn evenings always create long-living wines with elegant structures. I think collectors of the Meshach will be delighted. … however the winery isn't planning to let that much of it reach the shelves in the first place. Membership of the exclusive Meshach Club, which was started last year, is strictly limited and already over half full. Membership to the consumer direct-mail based club guarantees a six-bottle pre-release of the flagship wine, and includes quarterly deliveries of premium wines as well as 15% off cellar door prices……. ”
Illawarra Mercury — April 2010
“ "One of Australia's iconic reds and yet another triumph for the master Barossa Valley winemaker Grant Burge. Seductive and sexy, powerful and poised, layers of red and black fruit, integrated spice and chocolate characters, beautiful oak and silky tannins, Drink with Kangaroo fillets but its pedigree will see it still drinking perfectly in 20 or more years time." ”
Tony Love — April 2010 Adelaide Advertiser, Sunday Times, Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph *95 points*
“ In Tony Love's article — which appeared in several major newspapers he quizzes those close to the source…- Can a bottle of wine be worth hundreds of dollars? Read the article for the answer… click on this link http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/news/05%20Meshach%20Advertiser%20Tony%20Love%20Apr%2010.pdf Tony rates the Meshach above the Grange at 95 points. ”
John Lewis Newcastle Herald Apr 10
“ Meshach still a great name in wine. John Lewis tells the story of Meshach and rates the 2005 Meshach as the best he has ever tasted. For the full article click on this link http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/news/John%20Lewis%20Meshach%20Story%20Newcastle%20Herald%20Apr%2010.pdf ”
Newcastle Herald — April 2010
“ "As with the 2004 version, this 2005 Meshach manages to combine a degreee of elegance with the trademark Barossa Valley shiraz power. The wine is dark garnet and the nose brings forth aromas of plum pudding, tar and potpourri. Rich, ripe blackcurrant flavour rolls onto the front of the palate and lush blood plum, mocha coffee and dark chocolate fruit characters meld with savoury oak on the middle palate. Persistent fruit elements and dusty tannins combine at the finish. Drink with: braised venison shanks, rack of lamb loin with beetroot relish or rib of beef with bearnaise sauce. Aging 18 years. Rating 5 stars" ”
Huon Hooke- Sydney Morning Herald — Mar 2010
“ After reviewing previous vintages of Meshach Huon said… "The best wines — 2004, 1994, 1998, 1990 and 2005 — are all terrific. They're worth the premium price and fully live up to expectations." ”
John Fordham — Sunday Telegraph March 2010
“ "Again, vinges dating back to 1890 have allowed the master vigneron to craft an exceptional Meshach that easily qualifies as a member of the Barossa's super-premium shiraz club alongside leaders Penfolds Grange and Henschke Hill of Grace. The good news is Meshach is only one-quarter the price!" ”
Selector — April 2010
“ "…the 2005 vintage will again attract a flurry of interest from collectors and following recent releases it is expected to sell out within months. It will appeal to the collector for its fine ageing potential" ”
James Halliday — The Weekend Australian — May 2010
“ *96 points* Evolution of a classic — James Halliday states "Burge's belief that the optimum age for Meshach is between 10 to 15 years is conservative". Here is the full article http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/news/James%20Halliday%20Weekend%20Australian%20May%202010.pdf ”
Louise Radman — Adelaide Advertiser May 2010
“ The latest release of this Barossa big-hitter exhibits astounding concentration and aromatic lift with deep-sea depths. Inky black raspberry, tarry wood-smoke and polished leather on a sumptuous palate. Match with cured and smoked meats, venison and red wine reduction. ”
Jeff Collerson — Daily Telegraph May 2010
“ "… Burge's answer to Grange: Meshach Shiraz" ”
Mike Burnett — Meshach asking price a fair trade for fine flavour — Launceston Examiner May 2010
“ "They say it is tough at the top… As a wine writer (and collector) who has been fotunate to taste most of the Meshach releases, the 2005 vintage seems to roll up those years of refinement into a single package.." Click here to review the full article http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/news/Mike%20Burnett%20Launceston%20Examiner%20May%202010.pdf ”
Rob Ingram — Country Style July 2010
“ Test of Time… Taking the long view, Rob Ingram looks at the slow rise of an ultra-premium barossa Shiraz — Meshach…. Top Tipple: 2005 Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz, about $145:- A benchmark statement of the power of Barossa shiraz. Impressive depth, intensity and harmony with touches of milk chocolate, raspberries and toasted marshmallow. Finishes with an aftertaste of savoury spices and soft tannins. Move over Chesty Bond, lamingtons and Phar Lap, we've got a new top-shelf icon. Click here for the full article http://www.grantburgewines.com.au/news/Rob%20Ingram%20Country%20Style%2005%20Meshach%20July%202010.pdf ”
James Halliday — Australian Wine Companian 2011 Edition
“ Rating 96 Deep crimson-purple; at this stage the wine is full-bodied, compact and thickly textured, the flavours deep and layered in black fruit spectrum; the abundanat tannins and oak are in perfect balance with the fruit, and a recent verticle tasting put beyond doubt the great future this wine has. Once past its tenth birthday (cork permitting) it will reach its plateau of supple perfection that will last at least another decade. ”
Huon Hooke — Gourmet Traveller August 2010
“ This is a very good Meshach vintage with lots of savoury characters, and barrel-aged effect rather than overt oakiness, plus a dark-chocolate/mocha taste. The palate has loads of extract and is deep, savoury and long. ”
Chris Shanahan — Top Drops Canberra Times August 2010
“ Meshach, looking young at five years, is beautifully proportioned, seductive and silky textured. It's bound to become even finer over time, ultimately emerging as powerful but elegant. ”
22/3/2009 By John Fordham
“ BURGE/TAYLOR ON CRICKET AND WINE All Grant Burge wanted to do was talk cricket. And all former Test skipper Mark Taylor focused on was quizzing the high-profile Barossa Valley winemaker on his latest flagship reds. Burge and Taylor joined this scribbler at the Woollahra Hotel’s Bistro Moncur to put the 2004 Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz ($130), 2006 Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon and 2004 Abednego Shiraz-Mourvedre-Grenache (both $60) to the test. For cricket tragic Burge, picking the Nine Network commentator’s brain on the future of Australian cricket, was deeply informative and satisfying. Barossa aficionado Taylor, on the other hand, was in awe of Burge’s ability to fashion a trio of extraordinary reds. “Meshach rivals the best shiraz coming out of the Barossa,” was Taylor’s verdict on Burge’s trump card shiraz. After running his palate over the other reds he observed “Shadrach has tons of power and elegance and Abednego is a splendidly blended red with attitude”. Taylor, along with other members of Nine’s commentary team, struck up an association with Burge a few years ago on the eve of the Adelaide Test. It’s since become an annual ritual. When Burge released his first Meshach in 1988 it sold for around $24. He quickly discovered it was attracting almost triple that at auction. Although it’s now crept to $130 a bottle, this still makes it a steal considering its superstar quality. While new releases of Penfolds Grange and Henschke Hill of Grace command outlays in excess of $400 a bottle, it’s difficult to see how they’re that far superior to the likes of Meshach and, say, Jim Barry’s Armagh. Although cabernet sauvignon falls well behind shiraz in the Barossa’s pecking order, Burge‘s Shadrach has established itself as a proven performer. The 2006 version, built around the elegance and finesse of Eden Valley fruit, is a true bell ringer. Abednego perfectly marries the influences of three poles-apart varieties, producing a harmonious red that’s amazingly rich and complex. (Disclaimer: Mark Taylor is managed by the writer) ”
wine — Mike Frost, May 2009
“ Keeper- 94 points instense plum and berry fruit with chocolate, mint and toasty oak, finishing with fine firm tannins. You could try it now with roast beef but it'll live for more than 10 years in bottle ”
“ 94 Points All the forbidden fruits- opulent in the extreme. Like Grange, at this early stage of its life it more 'have a slice of wine' rather than 'have a glass of wine'. Like the Shadrach it's a big drink that needs age to tame it. Still worth 94 (points) now, with more to come down the track. I think the price is right for this wine- sure it's heavy, but Australia needs world leaders and often it is price that makes leading wines stand out. ”
2010 Australian Wine Companion -James Halliday
“ 95 POINTS Deeply coloured and brightly fruited; a big wine with dense fruit, mocha and blackberry, and a lively splash of attractive red fruits; the palate is dense , yet there is a suppleness that provides a fine and focused finish. ”
Wine & Spirits USA
“ 92 Points Champion of Value ”
Illawarra Mercury, May 2008
“ What better way to celebrate 20 years of operation then with the release of your flagship red. Matured for 22months in oak and three years in bottle, it’s a Barossa blockbuster, intense and powerful with berry and plum fruit on the nose and palate and fine, supple tannins. ”
Liquor Watch May 2008
“ Two Classic Reds In celebration of the 20th year for Grant Burge Wines, the annual release of their two-flagship reds have been staged together. The Meshach and the Shadrach are both champions that have envious show records. The 2003 Meshach Shiraz has an intense nose with aromas of white pepper; rich plums as well as hints of sage and thyme. The 2005 Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon is the epitome of Cabernet excellence due to its intense complexity of red berry fruits and blackcurrant overlay. ”
John Lewis, Newcastle Herlad, 7th May 2008
“ Top of the Table Grant Burge Wines is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year and has released its Meshach Shiraz and Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon reds together. The Meshach gets its name from Grant Burge's great grandfather, Barossa Valley pioneer Meshach William Burge and is his standard-bearer wine. This 2003 is an absolute clinker, dark garnet-hued, it has rich fruitcake and leather scents. Concentrated ripe blood plum flavour rolls onto the front of the palate and blackcurrant, molasses and mixed peel fruit characters integrate with nutty oak on the middle palate. Smooth minty tannins feature at the finish. It would be ideal with rack of lamb with Bordelaise sauce, red curry barbequed duck or braised beef cheeks in red wine sauce with potato dumplings and mushrooms. Ageing: 10 years Rating: 5 stars ”
Graeme Phillips, Sunday Tasmanian, 18th May 2008
“ Fruit of the Vine This is big, bold, sweet, old-vine Barossa shiraz in spades, rich and layered, chocolately, fruit-cakey and spicy, a wine that, although better balanced than many, shouldn't be touched for at least 10 to 15 years when the wine, on past experience, will have morphed into a fabulous drop. ”
James Haliday-2009 Australian Wine Companion
“ has managed to largely surmount the challenges of the very difficult vintage, with good colour and an abundance of quality Americam and French oak helping the cause. Rating 90points Drink 2018 ”
2009 Australian Wine Annual- Jeremy Oliver
“ 93 Points A traditional, richer and riper Barossa shiraz whose slightly jammy and raisined expression of blackberries, sweet plums, briar and raspberries is sumptously supported by a sweet, smoky measure of vanilla, chocolate and mocha oak. It's firm, but fine-grained, long and robust, with deeply concentrated fruit and spicy oak underpinned by a drying, powdery astringency. ”
Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury, Drop of the Week, April 2007
“ Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz $100. Barossa Winemaker Grant Burge reckons this is the best wine he has ever produced. Only time will tell, but he may well be right. Named after his great grandfather Meshach, it picked up the trophy for best medium-bodied dry red at the 2007 Sydney International Wine Competition. Big, bold and beautiful; it shows intense, rick black berry, plum and spices on the nose that flow onto the palate, integrated vanillan oak characters and silky tannins. Drink it with kangaroo fillet or cellar for up to 20 years. ”
Australian Finacial Review -Tim White-April 2007
“ A Shiraz well worth the wait… '…To launch the 2002 Meshach, Burge and his winemakerCraig Stansborough held a retrospective tasting that proved fascinating and surprising. The quality was astounding. While quite different stylistically and at different points in their evolution it was hard to separate the '91, '95, and '98. The 2002 (Meshach) is a seriously smart effort for quite a peculiar late, cool vintage. The '04 and '05 were sensational and benefited greatly from a subtle change in the Meshach oak regime…' ”
Adelaide Advertiser- Tony Love- June 2007
“ Making Memories…Grant Burge havests he vines of his youth to give a distinctive flavour to his wines. '…The latest 2002 release, at $100, has garnered a lot of interest from the famed Barossa vintage, already winning the trophy for the best medium-bodied dry red at this year's Sydney International Wine Competition. It's all sexy mint and rich, ripe berry fruit with supple tannins and underlying oak- the kind of wine you want to see grow and grow over the years. Its balance and structure is arguably the best yet, and shows familiar characters to the much lauded 1999. After such a beatuy, many might deny a place oin the mantle for the yet to be released 2003, a far less renowed vintage. Don’t be fooled; mark in your diary that it's going to be very impressive with massive concentration…' ”
Launceston Examiner- Mike Burnett- April 2007
“ Meshach standing up over the lang haul '…Meshach can now be fittingly be mentioned in the same sentence as Penfolds Grange, Hill of Grace, The Armagh when talking about Australia's shiraz elite. That has been the case for a few vintages now, and there is no pretence that this is the first time it has been raised in wine writings. After tasting a line-up of Meshachs at Grant Burge's Cellars in the Barossa Valley, there is little doubt here that the label is deserving of that status…' ”
Sunday Canberra Times- April 2007
“ Grant Burge's Flagship red comes from several southern Barossa vineyards-including a section of Grant's Filsell vineyard, planted in the 1920s. Aalthough finessed in recent years- partly through the use of finer French oak in conjunction with more assertive American oak-it remains an extraordinarily concentrated red, built for the long haul. It's certainly earned its stripes amoungst the country's elite wines, even if a writer opinion currently favours cooler climate styles. At the release tasting Burge previewed his sensational Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon 2005- a blend from Corryton Park in the Eden Valley and the Barossa floor. It's a sensational wine due for release in a few years. ”
Border Mail- June 2007
“ How do you look upon a $100 wine with anything but rever5ence? That it is from the widely heralded "best vintage ever" and always was nice wine anyway is just icing on the junket. 9.2/10 ”
Sunday Telegraph- April 2007
“ Good as it gets in the Barossa In order to generate hype, winemakers often burst into print with a "best wine I've ever made" proclamation. But when someone of the of the standing of the Barossa Valley's Grant Burge delivers such a pronoucement, it's time to sit up and take notice. The Barossa's largest independent grape-grower reckons he's definitely discovered the Holy Grail with his 2002 Meshach ($100), a booming shiraz that;s only release after a five-year maturation. "That vintage was about as food as it gets in the Barossa" Burge reports. Twenty years ago, he set his sights on creating a Barossa shiraz with true regional expression in honour of his great- grandfather Meshach Burge. This he has certainly done with his richly flavoured, refined and beautifully balanced 2002 Meshach. ”
Hobart Mercury- Graeme Phillips- April 2007
“ Man with a Mission '… We were in the Barossa Valley as Burge's guests for the release of his 2002 Meshach Shiraz ($100). With Meshach, Burge says he wanted ti create a wine with true regional expression that has richness, concentration and depth and the ability to live for 20–25 years. As a line-up of Meshachs from 1990–2005 showed he's certainly achieved that. Of the wines, the 2002 was one of the better and more elegant ones with a wonderful perfume of violets and richly saturated with black plums, chocolate and spice, beautifully balanced around its 13.8 per cent alcohol. However, my pick, by a long shot was the 1991(14pc alcohol) a wine of pure, mature elegance and pleasure, an absolute beauty….' ”
Herald Sun- Paddy Kendler- April 2007
“ What determines a wine's price? '… Grant Burge has just released his delectable Meshach 2002 Shiraz at $100. Is it only one fifth of the wine that Grange is? From a pure drinking angle, if I had a spare $500, I'd buy five Meshachs rather than on Grange. If I was an investor I may well buy the Grange, though having recently sampled a range of Meshachs from 1990 onwards, they are alos looking like valuable collectables….' ”
Courier Mail- Ken Gargett- May 2007
“ Toasts of the Time '… For the receord, the 2002 Meshach is tight, youthful, full of coffee bean, mocha and spice notes mixed with balckberry, chocolate ands a hint of animal hide adding to the complexity. Seamless , layered, long and concentrated, it has oodles of potential. In a blind tasting incorporating a number os other Barossa '02s, it was the preffered wine…' The reality is that very few of us will have many opportunities to try these wines, quantities and price conspiring against us. My view has always been if a winery is making brillain t wines at the highest level then there is every chance they are doing good things throughout the range. Burge covers greater ground, right down to the excellent value Barossa Vines collection. It is always worth trying the mid-range The Holy Trinity (a GSM blend) and the Filsell Shiraz…' ”
Daily Telegraph- Jeff Collerson- July 2007
“ TOP DROP This is elegant, almost European-style red, one that's richly full-bodied but shows great finesse. Barossa legend Burge never makes more than 2000 (6 bottle) cases of this, his flagship wines, less than a third of the production of Penfolds Grange. More than 80 per cent of Meshach fruit is off the famous Filsell vineyard, planted in the 1920s. A great special occasion red. ”
Wine Spectator USA- July 2007
“ 93 points “ A big Shiraz with a flair for elegance, offering a crisp texture against a fleshy veneer of fine tannins, with a lively core of blackberry, cherry and minty, creamy notes on the long finish. Best from 2010 through 2020. ”
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar July/ August 2007
“ 92 points Ruby-red. Intensely perfumed nose features ripe cherry, blackberry and cassis accented by sexy vanillin oak and violet. Deep, rich and suave, with jammy dark berry and plum flavors, youthful tannins and pronounced notes of oak spice. But this is more harmonious than the 2001 I tasted last year. Finishes sweet, juicy and very long. ”
2008 Australian Wine Annual — Jeremy Oliver; July 2007
“ 95 points ‘ An elegant Meshach but no shrinking violet either. Very intense and assertively oaked with dark plums, …backed by toasty aromas of vanilla, coconut ice, cedar and cigar-tones, its also perfumed and floral. ..It finishes long and savoury with lingering suggestions of licorice, cloves and minerals….’ ”
Wine Enthusiast -November 2007
“ Wine Enthusiast — 90 points This is the current release of the Grant Burge’s Meshach, which is typically held back for additional bottle age– the already bottled 2005 will be released in 2010. It displays extraordinary complexity in its scents of tea, coffee, spice, marinated beef, but the primary focus remains on its elegant blackberry fruit. Try around 2010. ”
Wine Advocate- Jay Miller November 2007
“ 93 Parker Points The 2002 Shiraz “Meshach” is the flagship of the winery. The fruit is from the oldest portion of the Filsell vineyard with vine age close to 100 years. It was aged in French and American oak for 20 months and given another 30 months of bottle age prior to release. It delivers a splendid bouquet of smoky oak, scorched earth, pencil lead, violets, bacon, and blueberry. It has outstanding depth, complexity, and gobs of flavor. It has enough structure to evolve for several years but can be enjoyed now. ”
James Halliday- 2009 Australian Wine Companion
“ A glorious expression of a cool vintage shiraz with small berries and a long growing season; blackberry, spice and licorice, with fine, lingering tannins. Predominatly American oak for two years' maturation; 85+ year old vines. Multi-trophy Winner OUTSTANDING Rating 96 points Drink 2022 ”
Max Crus — July 2010
“ "The price is of biblical proportions making it a magnet for magnates at posh restaurants and frankly if Ihad that much dough I'd be attracted too" ”
Harvey Steiman Editor at large, Wine Spectator USA Jan 2006 & May 2006
“ Wine Spectator 94 points Made from vines in Burge’s Filsell Vineyard that are nearly 100 years old, this is one of Barossa’s gems. In this warm vintage it’s ripe and gooey, dense with delicious cherry pie, blackberry and licorice flavors that persist through a long, glorious finish. Has depth and presence, a real candidate for triumph after long-term cellaring. Best after 2011. ”
Sunday Times, Western Australia, May 06
“ This Barossa icon has become a more elegant red with classier, betterintegrated oak. Intense rich, ripe blackberry and plum fruit and smooth, fleshy texture. It will age gracefully. ”
The Many Shades of Shiraz by Paul Foster, Charter Journal, August 2006
“ Another extraordinary wine is the 2001 Meshach from Grant Burge. It's as good as Barossa gets; it’s a muscular marvel of great palate length that growls of blackberry fruit. ”
Decanter UK, September 2006
“ “Intense, nutty flavor and ripe, woody, oak nuances. Nicely structured on entry, hints of second flavours and soft, creamy finish. Drink now.”4 stars, Highly recommended September 2006 ”
James Halliday, Wine Companion 2006
“ Skilful winemaking; a fusion of sweet black fruits and oak; fine tannins, balance and length; great finesse. Rating 95 ”
Darryl Thomas, Sunday Territorian October 2006
“ Rightfully in the fuller bodied dry red wine category, this is essence of Barossa Shiraz. The palate is rich and concentrated with complex flavours of berries, plums and spice, well balanced by vanillin oak. Judged alongside braised oxtail with pommes chateau and yellow beans. ”
Winestate Magazine January 2007 4.5 stars
“ A huge, chunky, meaty shiraz. Lovely mature oak on the nose gives it a leathery character.The long, firmly textured, tannic palate is overflowing with delicious chocolate and plum fruit flavours. ”
The Herald, December 2004
“ Lots of oak and brute fruit power were hallmarks of the early Meshaches. This latest version has plenty of Barossa impact, but also a high degree of refinement and complexity. It is dark garnet in the glass and has scents of plum pudding, raisins and cinnamon. Concentrated plum-prune flavour dominates the front of the palate and dark chocolate, mocha coffee and nutmeg fruit characters integrate with coconutty oak on the middle palate. Persistent plum flavours and earthy tannins combine at the finish. Rating 5 stars. ”
The Sunday Telegraph, October 2004
“ It’s easy to see why Barossa Valley heavyweight Grant Burge is doing handstands following the release of his latest flagship shiraz Meshach. A triple gold winner (Barossa, Melbourne and Sydney shows), 2000 Meshach must be close to being Burge’s finest red to date. ”
OnWine Report December 2002 – January 2003
“ Stylish, willowy Barossa shiraz with a lifted, spicy aroma of black pepper, concentrated berry fruits and fine-grained chocolate/mocha oak, with dusty, herbal undertones. Full to medium in weight, it’s very elegant, creamy and slightly sappy, with herbal, fennel-like complexity. Long and silky, it’s superbly balanced and focused around concentrated spicy dark fruit flavours. Drink 2007–2011+. Points 18.9. ”
Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
“ Inky purple colour. Lifted, lively nose with hints of cherry blossom and anise. Lots of upfront sweet fruit on the palate which follows through onto a fleshy mid palate and gutsy finish. Complex, intense with good balance. Everything is working well here, even though it’s still a baby. An exceptional vintage for shiraz. Drink 2009+ ”
James Halliday, December 2002.
“ The 1999 Grant Burge Meshach has had great previous show success, but I have to admit to a degree of surprise at finding out its identity. This is a beautifully balanced, harmonious and elegant wine, continuing the ever-increasing refinement evident in all Grant Burge’s red wines. It was one of my two top pointed wines. ”
Robert Mayne, The Canberra Times, May 2003
“ Here’s a top-flight South Australian red, this time made from Barossa Shiraz. It’s expensive but putting away a few bottles would be a very good investment, if you store it properly. ”
Illawarra Mercury, 28 May 2003
“ Robust and gutsy, it’s a multi-trophy and gold medal-winning shiraz with intense Barossa fruit flavours on the nose and palate, American oak characters, and terrific tannins. Drink with fillet of beef. ”
Jeremy Oliver, OnWine Report, April 2002
“ “Astonishing Barossa shiraz of rare silkiness and style, especially from the 1998 vintage. Its penetrative and unusually floral fragrance of pure cassis, redcurrants and raspberries is complemented by spicy mocha and chocolate oak and a background of bitumen, leather and jam. Laced with exotic spices and musk, the palate is as long as it is velvet-smooth, presenting pure, pristine sour-edged plum and cassis flavour, tightly knit with superbly fine tannins. Wonderful balance, poise and fineness. Drink 2010–2018.” Rating 19.2 ”
Robert Mayne, Canberra Times, 9th April 2002
“ “In the two year or so I’ve been writing this column, I reckon this is just about the best red wine I’ve tasted. Not only is Burge an especially talented and dedicated winemaker, but here he got to work with some of the best Barossa Shiraz fruit from of the truly great vintages, 1998. Meshach William Burge was Grant’s great grandfather and one of the first to plant grapes and make wine, near Lyndoch at the mouth of the Barossa Valley. Burge says the Meshach wine is a big wine in every sense. “It has big tannin structure, huge fruit and great complexity,” he says, and I agree. “It’s a wine with real guts. When we were making the wine we were amazed at how much [American] oak it could soak up. “The oak just kept reinforcing the fruit and building the complexity. I think it’s a great red and I’m absolutely confident it will be drinking very well in another quarter of a century if well cellared.” He’s probably right. This is the kind of wine that has our American cousins tasting in awe. I think it’s a better wine than the 1998 Grange I mentioned last week, and it’s a third of the price.” ”
John Fordham, Sunday Herald, 19th May 2002
“ “Barossa Valley kingpin Grant Burge, a man who is extremely proud of his winemaking, is never one to hold back when a very special drop comes along. That’s why it comes as no surprise to see him trumpeting his 1998 Meshach, the powerfully crafted shiraz from 80-year-old vines grown on his Filsell vineyard and named after his great-grandfather. Burge has been making wine in the Barossa for more than 30 years. In addition to the vineyards he owns, he has long-standing contracts with numerous growers throughout the valley, which ensure a steady stream of quality wine. According to Burge, reputed to be the largest independent vineyard owner in the region, 1998 was the best vintage for red wine he’s experienced. Burge believes the Meshach will still be in top drinking condition two decades from now. ‘A near-perfect warm to hot summer produced generous crops well above average quality fruit harvested in perfect condition,’ remarked Burge. ‘Put simply, we produced outstanding reds with greater intensity and depth of flavour than we’ve ever achieved before.’ Considering the quality of the 1998 Meshach- unquestionably one of Australia’s finest shiraz, along with Penfolds Grange, Wynns Michael Shiraz, Jim Barry Armagh and Henschke Hill of Grace- it is well worth every cent of the $100 a bottle it commands.” ”
Bill Thompson, The Sunday Times, 17th March 2002
“ “Grant Burge reckons his 1998 Meshach is the best red he’s ever made and that’s a mighty big statement. But this is a remarkable wine from a remarkable vintage and will drink through a complete generation. The depth, complexity of layered fruit flavours and the fruit-saturated background of oak flavours are sensational. It is a classic keeper, undoubtedly a great investment wine and it’s $100 a bottle. The kids should be so lucky!” ”
Miles Nolier, The Good Wine Guide, May 2002
“ “Some years ago I was involved in a tasting to compare three Shiraz wines from Australia and two from the Hermitage area of France. Among the Australian reds was a Penfold’s Grange and a Grant Burge Meshach. While the vintages of the wines we tasted now escapes me, the most satisfying for all those involved were the Grange and the Meshach, probably in that order, but there was note much between them. Considering Meshach is about one-third the price of Grange, Grant Burge can take pride in what he is achieving from his Barossa vineyards… Not only is the 1998 the best Meshach, Grant Burge admits it’s probably the best wine he has ever made. ‘I’ve been making wine in the Barossa for well over 30 years, and I’ve never experienced a better vintage than ’98, especially for red wines. ‘Given that Meshach is my flagship red and represents the best I can make, I guess I’d have to say that this is the best wine I’ve made so far,’ he said. It’s a big wine, with big tannin, huge fruit and great complexity.” ”
Winestate Magazine, March/April 2002
“ “An elegant style. Sweet, oaky Maraschino/porty bouquet. Lean well-structured palate with long powerful minty fruit. 4 stars” ”
Charmian Smith, Otago Daily Times, 15th May 2002
“ “Grant Burge Meshach 1998 made principally from 80-year-old bush vines in the Filsell vineyard, is one of the ‘big name’ Australian shirazes which fetch enormous prices. It is complex with concentrated fruit hinting of cherries, and soft, velvety tannins. It has an indefinable savouriness and elegance that the Filsell, a younger wine made from younger vines lacks. It is a collector’s wine- they expect it to be drinking well in 25 years, and with its balance, concentration and stucture, I believe it will, if you can afford it and bear to keep it that long. 4 ½ stars” ”
Winestate Magazine, May/June 2002
“ A rich generous wine. Spice and oak on nose. Palate has some serious fruit underneath dark chocolatey oak. Nice drying tannins. 4 ½ stars ”
Ralph Kyte-Powell, Uncorked, The Age, July 23, 2002
“ Grant Burge’s top Barossa shiraz has joined the expensive ranks of the South Australian label’s flagship wines. It’s a powerful red with toasted-coconut, caramel, chocolate, liqueurish blackberry and vanilla characters. The palate is substantial, but not too unfriendly, deep, intense and ripe, its fine tannins less assertive than in most Grant Burge wines. Ageing? At least 10 years, but it drinks surprisingly well now, too. 4 ½ stars. ”
Jeff Collerson, The Daily Telegraph, July 3, 2002
“ If you enjoy Grange you’ll like this: Grant Burge 19998 Meshach Barossa shiraz. This is the best wine I’ve tasted this year- no contest. Meshach is made only in years when the fruit comes up to the winemaker’s lofty standards. The great 1998 Barossa harvest has resulted in a rip-snorter: combining power and richness with astonishing balance and a silky texture. ”
Graeme Phillips, The Sunday Tasmanian, July 21, 2002
“ This is mainstream Barossa shiraz in spades, and then some. Big, rich, robust, chewable, furry, spicy and sweet with enormous depth and complexity. From the excellent 1998 vintage, Burge says this is the best Meshach he’s made. Certainly they don’t come much bigger or more powerful. ”
Winestate, September/October 2002
“ Dense purple/ ruby colour with black highlights. Fully integrated and concentrated ripe black cherry fruit aromas, with solid and powerful oak influences. ‘Strong raw flavour at present, but has all the ingredients for ageing,’ said one judge. Great texture and length. ”
Ray Jordan, The West Australian, July 24 2002
“ It’s a big and powerful wine with intensely rich and concentrated Barossa fruit. A brooding and massively proportioned wine that takes no prisoners. The beautiful sweet fruit characters are balanced nicely against the oak, with a succulent fleshy character. Keep it for the long haul. Score: 91/100 Drink: 2006 to 2025. ”
Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
“ Vibrant purple garnet colour. Coconut oak dominates the nose but will settle down with time. The signature fruit developing nicely after a few swirls, plum jam, bitter cherries, cassis and a hint of marzipan. A well-balanced palate with earthy, concentrated fruit and toasty coffee-bean characters underscored by big, bold tannins and smoky oak. Drink 2006+ ”
Robert Mayne, Canberra Times, 9th April 2002
“ “In the two years or so I’ve been writing this column, I reckon this is just about the best red wine I’ve tasted. Not only is Burge an especially talented and dedicated winemaker, but here he got to work with some of the best Barossa Shiraz fruit from of the truly great vintages, 1998…This is the kind of wine that has our American cousins tasting in awe. I think it’s a better wine than the 1998 Grange I mentioned last week, and it’s a third of the price.” ”
Tim White, Decanter Magazine, March 2003
“ This has scarcely missed a beat since its inception in 1988. Both the 1996 and 1998 are in my top three wines of the vintage. ”
Wine Enthusiast — November 2007
“ Wine Enthusiast — 92 points Elegantly combines plenty of spicy , meaty notes with round ripe cherry-berry fruit. Dark Flavours of soy or oyster sauce impart a savoury element, adding a bass note to the finely tunes chorus of flavours. Finishes long and velvety. Drink now– 2016 ”
Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
“ Concentrated garnet colour with purple hues. Lots of signature plum, praline and coconut on the nose. Looking good on the palate with everything in balance. Succulent fruit gives way to layer upon layer of big rich flavours. The vinous equivalent of black forest gateau. Drink 2006+ ”
Ray Jordan, The West Australian, 25th July 2001
“ This is built for the long haul with the power intensity and fruit concentration that comes from the best of the Barossa. Wonderful complex aroma with a palate that draws on every bit of fruit flavour to invade the senses, with chocolate, coffee and cinnamon and other spices. Make no mistake, this is up there with Grange, in style and quality. 94/100 ”
Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
“ Bright garnet colour. Highly concentrated Cherry Ripe notes on the nose with some liquorice stick, mulberries and stewed plums. Rich, ripe and big on fruit with chunky, munch tannins. Lots of length and complexity, but with the oak still dominating. A low-yielding vintage, with excellent-quality shiraz. Drink 2006+ ”
Jeremy Oliver, OnWine Report, October- November, 1999
“ Scented with liqueur chocolates and packed with fragrant, wild and brambly aromas of small berry and plum fruit, nutmeg, cinnamon and bay leaf, carefully integrated with vanilla and cedar oak. Very ripe, concentrated and creamy, it simply bursts with cassis and blood plums, before a long, astringent finish. Drink 2007+. ”
Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
“ Intense garnet colour. Initially fairly closed, but once it opened up the nose revealed some lovely leathery, dusty, allspice and sweet plum characters. While there was the usual high fruit dose on the front and mid palates, mouth-puckering tannins made the wine appear a little disjointed. It needs more time to achieve balance. One of the great red wine vintages of the decade in the Barossa. Drink 2004+ ”
Jeremy Oliver, OnWine Report, Oct — Nov, 1999
“ A restrained, elegant Meshach with elegance and poise, and without the portiness of earlier vintages. Powerful youthful aromas of violets, spicy plums and cassis are supported by creamy vanilla and dark chocolate oak with hints of mocha, cedar and fennel. Fleshy but also firm, round, supple and balanced. Drink 2006. ”
Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
“ Intense brick colour. A nose of unusual austerity; an anomaly in the line-up. The predominant green-bean stalkiness reflects the fact that it was a very wet, cool season in the Barossa (the wettest for more than fifty years). Underlying the herbaceousness are some of the classic notes of this style: menthol, mocha and chocolate. The palate is a surprise too; much more restrained fruit with elegant, silky tannins. Drink now till 2005. ”
Winestate Magazine, May/June 1997
“ Oak plus ripe berries nose. Whistle clean, elegant fruit flavour with strong American oak finish. Beautifully balanced, great structure. 19.5/20 ”
Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
“ Vibrant brick in colour. Dusty leather, plums, eucalyptus, cinnamon and menthol on the nose. Big, rich and intense, with domineering oak and a huge finish. If this wines gets any bigger it’s going to start popping the buttons on its dinner jacket. Drink now till 2006. ”
Jeremy Oliver, OnWine Report, Oct- Nov, 1999
“ A dark and very spicy wine whose nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and licorice influences complement its intense small dark berry and plum flavours. Its oak appears a little brassy and aggressive and its alcohol a little high for the soft fruit textures on the palate. Drink 2000–2004. ”
Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
“ Concentrated brick colour with minimal signs of ageing. What great nose! Plenty of complexity here; we’re down on the farm by the duck pond splashing around, then off to the tack room to check out those beautifully polished saddles. Some hints of toasty oak too (this was the first vintage where 10 per cent toast was used). On the palate the fruit is rich and ripe; bitter cherries and mulberries. Meshach is always a big hitter when it comes to upfront fruit and length. Think of John Daly belting a big boomer down a par five. Drink now till 2010. ”
Winestate Magazine, May/June 1997
“ Beautiful nose; very fine fruit with perfect oak complexity. Superb balance on palate! Long and fine grain tannins. Great structure and power! 18.5/20 ”
Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
“ Dark brick in colour. Very upfront on the nose with lots of chocolate, coffee, menthol and coconut. Incredible fruit concentration on the palate; plums and prunes. Rich and ripe with good balance and well integrated oak. An excellent vintage. Drink now til 2010. ”
Winestate Magazine, May/June 1997
“ Strong aroma of ripe cherries and plums with smokey overtones. Strong cassis fruit and tannin flavours, combining alcohol and balancing acid, yet beautifully structured. Mouth puckering finish with furry tannins. 19.5/20 ”
Sally Gudgeon, Divine Magazine 'Grant Burge meshach Shiraz — Vertical Tasting', February 2003
“ I swirled, I sniffed, I sipped and I lingered. And then lingered a bit more. And a bit more after that. But the sands of time, as usual, were slipping through my fingers. My delirious tasting note runs thus: “Intense brick in colour, showing some ageing towards the rim. Dust leather, barnyard, tar and chocolate on the nose. It’s drinking magnificently now and is at its peak. Lots of big, full, rich, ripe fruit, with good balance, great length and grippy, satisfying tannins.” Needless to say, I was impressed. The most elegant of the line-up. Drink now and for another year. ”
Winestate Magazine, May/June 1997
“ Sensational nose! Perfect balance! Sensous Italian leather and furry alcohol with cinnamon overtones. Outstanding mellow, soft leathery palate, Unctuous, big full with lovely cinnamon fine grain tannin finish that lingers and lingers. Lots of developed flavour characteristics. ”
(at first wine in range)
- Grant Burge Wines Pty Ltd · Jacobs Creek, Barossa Valley, South Australia
- website by Michael Major Media

