The Abednego completes the Icon trio from Grant Burge Wines; sitting alongside the highly awarded Meshach and Shadrach; Grant’s flagship Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon Wines. The wine is 100% Barossa with fruit sourced from Grant’s own aged perfect vineyards, with average age of 110 years old. The old vines deliver fruit of incredible concentration and depth, giving the resultant wine the ability to develop over many years. The fruit is handpicked and the varietal proportions for the 2004 Abednego is 37% Shiraz, 33% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache.
{THE WINEMAKING}
After crushing and de-stemming, the grapes were fermented in stainless steel fermenters and pumped over regularly. Once fermentation was complete the wine underwent extended maceration on skins to enhance its tannin structure and to produce a more intense colour. Following this process the free run and pressings components of the wine were held separately while the winemakers decided on the perfect percentage of each fraction to complete a well balanced wine. The wine was then matured in 2 and 3 year old French oak for 20 months, bottled and left to mature in bottle for almost 2 years prior to its release.
{THE COMMENTS}
The 2004 Abednego is deep crimson in colour with complex aromas of ripe berry fruit, herbal mint and subtle smoky oak spilling from the glass. On the palate this blend of ‘old world’ varieties has an intense concentration of flavours with cherries and spice well integrated with earthy, savoury and dried herb flavours. The wine has a great complexity of flavours with tight grained tannins that give the wine excellent structure and provides a long, satisfying finish.
Like all Grant Burge Icon wines, Abednego will continue to mature over the next 10 - 12 years. It is a superb match with gamey duck and rustic lamb dishes.
The Age- Ralph Kyte-Powell March 2009 “
Indulge Yourself
A GOOD deal less souply and alcoholic than similar Barossa blends, this shiraz- mourvedre-grenache has an interesting nose that’s's nicely understaded. There are gentle berry, spice, liquorice and meaty aromas that lead through a seamless, medium-bodied palate of easy texture and persistant flavour. It finishes soft and long with balanced, fine tannins.
Ageing? Drink over three years plus
Food Ideas: braised veal shanks; pasta with ragu
4.5 stars — First class, a wine of distinction not far below the top rating
$$- Reasonably priced relative to quality”
the key report- the key review of wines (the know) April 2009 “
92 points
Rich fruitcake nose and full I the mouth with a full array of powerful flavours.
”
Wine Enthusiast -November 2007 “
Wine Enthusiast — 91 points
Only the second vintage of this wine, which sits above The Holy Trinity in the Grant Burge hierarchy. The 2003 is a blend of 36% Mourvedre, 33% Grenache and 31% Shiraz, showing hints of tea and cola on the nose to go with dark blackberry and coffee flavours. This is crisp and well-structured, with some drying tannins on the finish that suggest short-term cellaring. Drink 2010–2018.
”
Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, February 2006 “
This Rhone-style blend completes a trio of superpremium
wines created by Barossa winemaker Grant Burge.
It proudly stands alongside his magnificent Meshach shiraz and
Shadrach cabernet sauvignon and all are named after the Old
Testament’s ‘three believers’. Made in the traditional French
style it’s nicely balanced with upfront berry fruit flavours,
spicy characters, mintiness and silky tannins. Drink it with smoked beef.
”
The Advertiser, May 05 by Nigel Austin and Chris Lines, quoting Matthew Jukes “
Grant Burge’s stallion leads the New World charge. Grant Burge Abednego heralded as top Australian Wine. One of Britain's best known and most influential wine figures believes Australia has surpassed France as the benchmark for wine. Matthew Jukes, whose opinions have been a fixture in the British media for many years, has released an updated list of the 100 best Australian wines. In releasing the list, Mr Jukes said Australia had become the model to which the French wine sector was comparing itself. “Australia is where it's at. No 1. perfect” he said. “You guys don't need to refer to France anymore as the model-you guys are the model.” 2002 Grant Burge Abednego-“What can only be described as an era-changingwine. I have known Abednego since it was born and it is a thoroughbred stallion.”Matthew Jukes"
”
Wine of the Month feature, Decanter, UK, July 2006 “
Aussie version of the classic Rhone Blend-Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre. A big wine packed with blackberry fruit, spices and distinctive herbal note. Perfect for a meat casserole. Drinking now but has the tannic structure to last.**** 4 stars
”
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2007 “
Light to medium bodied; juicy red fruits, clean and still very fresh and vibrant, though doesn't have the structure for long-term aging. Cork 14 degree alcohol Rating 93 Drink 2010
”
Wine Advocate- Jay Miller November 2007 “
92 Parker Points
The 2002 Abednego is a blend of 36% Mourvedre, 33% Grenache, and 31% Shiraz sourced from vines at least 50 years of age. Very Rhone-like, it has an alluring perfume of damp earth, garrigue, kirsch, and black raspberry. Velvety and full-flavored, it has excellent depth and length. Drink it over the next 10–12 years.
”
