Wines of Distinction Filsell Shiraz
{THE FRUIT}
Grant's Filsell vineyard with near century-old vines, is considered one of the best vineyards in the Barossa Valley, and consistently produces fruit of great intensity and concentration. Planted in the early 1920’s this vineyard also produces the fruit for Grant’s flagship Shiraz, the highly acclaimed Meshach; with Filsell known to loyal followers as the wines younger brother. The 2008 vintage began earlier than expected but with just below average rainfall throughout the year. Nevertheless the fruit from the Filsell vineyard continues to produce wines with exceptional varietal character, intense concentration and flavours.
{THE WINEMAKING}
Different batches of fruit were crushed and fermented separately. The juice reached 28°C at the start of fermentation before it was cooled to 22°C.The wine was pumped over three times a day and the skins were pressed gently before the free run and pressed wine was transferred to oak to finish fermentation. The wine was matured in new and two year old American and some French oak hogsheads for 20 months before bottling.
{THE COMMENTS}
The 2008 Filsell Shiraz is a little touch of magic- the wine has incredible depth of colour, almost black with purple hues. The bouquet is a symphony of aromas with ripe blackberries, ground cinnamon, vanilla, mocha tones and even a hint of freshly baked bread. A touch of new leather is present and complimented with toasted cashew nuts, dark chocolate, and subtle aniseed. A rich and abundantly complex palate, the Shiraz is one of remarkable intensity and sumptuousness. With sweet forest berry fruit flavours, dark chocolate and intense vanilla bean this lusciously rich and full bodied wine shows all the best aspects of a classic Filsell. The rounded tannins are beautifully structured to carry this rich and weighty wine with an effortless grace through the mid palate to a long and elegant finish. A wine to be approached with both reverence and gusto, and well suited to be enjoyed with sumptuous meal; the 2008 Filsell Shiraz will be excellent drinking on release but will reward those with patience and careful cellaring up to 15 years.
{THE REVIEWS}
- Vintage: 2008
- John Fordham Sunday Telegraph March 2010
- Winestate June 2010–4 Stars
- Kerry Skinner — Illawarra Mercury June 2010
- Ralph Kyte-Powell Cuisine Magazine NZ July 2010
- Mt Barker Courier — June 2010
- Monique Farrow — National Liquor News July 2010
- Christine Ricketts — National Liquor News July 2010
- Gold Coast Panache — July 2010
- Chris Shanahan — Top Drops Canberra Times August 2010
- Vintage: 2007
- WINESTATE MAGAZINE — 2009 SHIRAZ OF THE YEAR
- WBM March 2010 edition
- Open a top drop…. Leader Barossa Valley March 2010
- James Halliday — Weekend Australian — May 2010
- James Halliday — Australian Wine Companion 2011 edition
- Vintage: 2006
- Graeme Phillips- Sunday Tasmanian October 2008
- Kerry Skinner- Illawarra Mercury October 2008
- Wine with Jeff Collerson- Daily Telegraph 25.11.08
- Fruit of the Vine- Graeme Phillips Sunday Tasmanian 12.10.08
- Grape Expectations with Kerry Skinner — Illawarra Mercury 1.10.08
- The Wine Advocate- USA, Dr. Jay Miller, February 2009
- Winestate—January 2009
- 2010 Australian Wine Companion — James Halliday
- Neil Padley — Kia Ora Magazine NZ — July 2010
- Vintage: 2005
- Kerry Skinner Illawarra Mercury September 2007
- John Fordham- Sunday Telegraph, October 2007
- Wine Enthusiast — November 2007
- Wine Advocate- Jay Miller November 2007
- Liquor Watch, Decemeber2007
- Hugh Wood, Hamilton Press NZ, 7th May 2008
- Josh Raynolds- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2008
- Many Fine Wines to Cellar- Geoff Kelly- Wines New Zealand 1.10.08
- 2009 Australian Wine Annual — Jeremy Oliver
- Vintage: 2004
- James Halliday, Weekend Australian December 2006
- James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2008 Edition
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Jul/Aug 07
- 2008 Australian Wine Annual — Jeremy Oliver; July 2007
- Lauraine Jacobs- Sunday August 2007
- James Halliday- July 2007
- Vintage: 2003
- Robert Whitley, WineReviewOnLine.com USA, February 2006
- Linda Murphy, San Francisco Chronicle USA
- The Wine Report Tasting Panel, www.winesimple.com USA, April 2006
- Tyson Stelzer April 2005 Top 500 Wines of 2005–2006
- James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2007
- Vintage: 2002
- Raymond Chan, Regional Wines New Zeland, August 2004
- Vintage: 2001
- Wine Watch, April 2003
- Food and Wine, The Daily Telegraph, 2 April 2003
- Vintage: 2000
- Winestate Magazine, March 2002
- Tony Wilson, Gold Coast Sun, July 17, 2002
- Joelle Thomson, Wine Magazine, August 2002
- Ralph Kyte-Powell & Huon Hooke, Uncorked, Sydney Morning Herald, November 2002
John Fordham Sunday Telegraph March 2010
“ "Completing his latest red offerings are 2008 Filsell Shiraz, 2007 Balthasar Shiraz Vioignier and newcomer 2005 Corryton Park Caberent Sauvignon — all pased the test with flying colours!" ”
Winestate June 2010–4 Stars
“ Leaner style, with licorice and plums lifting off the nose and great concentration and length and persistence of lovely clean varietal fruit flavours. ”
Kerry Skinner — Illawarra Mercury June 2010
“ "A super shiraz that has evolved into one of the Barossa's best. Matured in French oak for 20 months, rich and powerful, layers of black berry fruit, integrated spice, supple tannins." ”
Ralph Kyte-Powell Cuisine Magazine NZ July 2010
“ Top 5–5 stars = outstanding Grant Burge Filsell performs consistently well in our Australian Shiraz tastings. It's a lovely ripe style, just made for roast meats. Appealing aromas of spice, boysenberry and plum introduce an intense, full-bodied palate. The wine shows some alcoholic warmth but it's not out of context. ”
Mt Barker Courier — June 2010
“ Sourced from one of the oldest and finest shiraz vineyards in the Barossa, is a little touch of magic from a superb year. The wine has incredible depth of colour, almost black with purple hues and the bouquet is a symphony of aromas with ripe blackberries, ground cinnamon, vanilla, mocha tones and even a hint of freshly baked bread. A touch of new leather is complemented by toasted cashew nuts, dark chocolate and subtle aniseed. The wine has a rich and abundantly compled palate, intense and sumptuous, with sweet forest berry fruit flavours, dark chocolate and intense vanilla bean. A lusciously rich and full bodied wine, this 2008 shows all the best aspects of a classic Filsell ”
Monique Farrow — National Liquor News July 2010
“ Black fruit and dark cherries, with a tannin structure that supports the fruit well. ”
Christine Ricketts — National Liquor News July 2010
“ Mouthfilling and lengthy, with rich fruit and integrated oak. ”
Gold Coast Panache — July 2010
“ I had the opportunity to try an earlier vintage of this wine along side another Burge Shiraz, the Miamba, at a tasting with winemaker Grant Burge a couple of years ago and was blown away by the difference. The 80 year old vines at the Filsell Vineyard produce wines with great concentration and intensity. The 2008 is almost black in colour with a hint of purple. It smells earthy with blackberry and mulberries and spiced fruit cake. Luscious and full bodied, it tastes of chocolate and vanilla, plums and dark berries. The tannins are prominent but blend beautifully to carry the layers of rich fruit and spice through to a long lingering finish that has you reaching for the bottle for more. Thank you very much Mr Burge ”
Chris Shanahan — Top Drops Canberra Times August 2010
“ Filsell shows thepower and body of the hot vintage, with generous, deep, chocolatey fruit flavours — coated lavishly with the Barossa's tender, soft tannins. ”
WINESTATE MAGAZINE — 2009 SHIRAZ OF THE YEAR
“ WINESTATE MAGAZINE 2009 SHIRAZ of the YEAR 2007 Grant Burge Fillsell Shiraz. ”
WBM March 2010 edition
“ Special Patch of Dirt Grant Burge Wines is celebrating another win with the 2007 Filsell Baorssa Old Vine Shiraz awarded the trophy for Best Shiraz at the 2009 Winestate Wine of the Year Awards. The annual awards are presented after tastings involving more than 10,000 Australian and New Zealand wines over the past 12 months, with a taste-off involving the top rated 300. Filsell Vineyard has a very special place in the history of the Barossa Valley and Grant Burge Wines. Today its old Shiraz vines, which are nearly 90 years old, make up one of the largest old patches (8.50 hectares) of historical fruit in the Barossa Valley. Grant Burge purchased the Filsell Vineyard in 1989 and has always labelled it, "A very special patch of dirt." The vines are so old and their butts so weak that a good kick would break many of them off at ground level, consequently all picking and pruning is done by hand. Grant commented, "We are lucky to have this patch — year after year the quality of the fruit from Filsell Vineyard is exceptional, crammed with character which is imparted into the wine which flows from this magnificent old block of Shiraz". ”
Open a top drop…. Leader Barossa Valley March 2010
“ "Winner of the 2009 Winestate Shiraz of the Year, the 2007 Filsell is a prime example of what can be achieved froma top vineyard despite difficult, drought affected conditions. Showing an excellent depth of colour, the intense nose exhibits layers of aromas including dark berries, cedar, chocolate and vanilla. The palate is rich and full bodied, yet possesses the tannin structure to carry the richness with ease. If you can resist temptation, this wine will cellar for 10 years and works wonderfully well with hearty dishes such as rabbit pie or braised lamb shanks" ”
James Halliday — Weekend Australian — May 2010
“ *94 points* "The Filsell Vineyard was planted (by the Filsell family) in two halves: 10ha in 1920 and another 10ha in 1988, on year before it was purchased by the Burges, the old vines yielding five tonnes per hectare. This '07 vintage benefited from the inclusion of the best blocks normally reserved for Meshach. Stonge crimson-red: aromas of blackberry and plum come through strongly on the medium — to full-bodied palate, fine but savoury tannins and oak on the finish tying the fruit up nicely." ”
James Halliday — Australian Wine Companion 2011 edition
“ Rating 94 Strong crimson-red; aromas of blackberry and plum come through strongly on the medium to full-bodied palate, fine but savoury tannins and oak on the finish tying the fruit up nicely. ”
Graeme Phillips- Sunday Tasmanian October 2008
“ 'Fruit of the Vine' This is a black, intensely riope, fruit driven number chock-a-block with aniseed, chocolate and depp blackberry flavours in smooth, opulent and popular Barossan style, the abundant fruit easily eating up the alcohol, finishing with good grip and a warm fruity after-glow. ”
Kerry Skinner- Illawarra Mercury October 2008
“ 'Grape Expectations' Winemaker Grant Burge describes his Filsell vineyard as a 'very special patch of dirt'. He's right because this is a very special Barossa red, big, bold and opulent with layers of plum and blackberry fruit, integrated chocolate characters, underlying spice, terrific oak and silky tannins. Drink it with herb-crusted leg of lamb. ”
Wine with Jeff Collerson- Daily Telegraph 25.11.08
“ Grant Burge's Filsee vineyard was planted in the Barossa Valley almost 90 years ago. It yiedls the graps for Burge's (flagship) Meshach shiraz as well as for this elegant but still richly flavoured and textured red. A ripe cherry/ chocolate style with big red spicy aromas and a decent whack of oak. ”
Fruit of the Vine- Graeme Phillips Sunday Tasmanian 12.10.08
“ This is a black , intensely ripe, fruit-driven number choc a block with ainseed, chocolate and deep blackberry flavours in smooth opulent and popular Barossan style, the abundant fruit easily eastin up the alcohol, finishingwith good grip and a warm fruity afterglow. ”
Grape Expectations with Kerry Skinner — Illawarra Mercury 1.10.08
“ Winemaker Grant Burge describes his Filsell vineyard as a 'very special patch of dirt'. He's right because this is a very special Barossa red, big, bold and opulent with layers of plum and blackberry fruit, integrated chocolate characters, underlying spice, terrific oak and silky tannins. Drink it with herb-crusted leg of lamb. ”
The Wine Advocate- USA, Dr. Jay Miller, February 2009
“ 91 points The 2006 Filsell Old Vines Shiraz offers a bit more depth and concentration.Ripe and easygoing on the palate, it has tons of savory blue and black fruits, plenty of spice, and excellent length. Drink it from 2010 to 2018. ”
Winestate—January 2009
“ 4 stars perfectly balanced and seamlessly integrated wine with ripe varietal fruit depth, toasty oak, tight acidity, warming alcohol and well– hidden tannins. ”
2010 Australian Wine Companion — James Halliday
“ 93 POINTS Big, swarthy Barossa red, with strong blackberry and earth flavours, alcohol part of the mix, as are the tannins ”
Neil Padley — Kia Ora Magazine NZ — July 2010
“ A wine that demonstrates a level of concentration that can only be achieved by significant vine age. ”
Kerry Skinner Illawarra Mercury September 2007
“ Grant Burge has access to some of the oldest shiraz vines in the Barossa and it is from these vines that he sources the fruit for his Filsell Shiraz. This latest vintage, with its new label is a beauty; rich and opulent and rippling with layers of plum and red berry fruit flavours, chocolate characters, integrated spiciness balanced oak ans silky tannins. Drink it with lamb lion chops. ”
John Fordham- Sunday Telegraph, October 2007
“ Old Vines bring New success Grant Burge's raging shiraz success has been domeonstratably built on the quality of fruit available from his prized Filsell vineyard. Not only do these near century old vines power his revered $100 flagship Meshach, thye underpin the success of Burge's appropriately-labelled Filsell shiraz, which pleasingly provides change from $30. 'The Filsell vineyard produces just on 1.5 tonnes of fruit per hectare, delivering fruit of optimum intnesity and concentration,' enthuses Burge, the Barossa's largest independent grower. Burge rates his latest Filsell shiraz from the 2005 vintae- as one of the finest in the past decade. 'Although it is already showing greatness, I'm convinced its best years are ahead of it,' he predicts. ”
Wine Enthusiast — November 2007
“ Wine Enthusiast — 90 points This has more red fruit character than most Barossa Shirazes with cherry and raspberry flavours mingling with vanilla and carried by an almost syrupy mouthfeel– almost berry-vanilla compote. Sure, it could use bit a more spice and complexity, but that would be quibbling; this is luscious stuff to drink now through 2015. ”
Wine Advocate- Jay Miller November 2007
“ 91 Parker Points (90 Points 2004 Filsell Shiraz) The 2005 Shiraz “Filsell” is similarly styled to the 2004, but with greater depth and richness. The 2004 Shiraz “Filsell” is a single vineyard, old vine cuvee which was barrel-fermented and aged for 18 months in American oak. Purple in color, it exhibits aromas of cedar, spice box, tobacco, blueberry, and blackberry. It has ample ripe fruit, good depth, and enough structure to evolve for several years. ”
Liquor Watch, Decemeber2007
“ A fine new addition The 2005 Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz is among the finest the winery has produced. A deep purple in colour, it displays a myriad of aromas including raspberry, Belgian chocolate and fruit cake, while the long palate exhibits black plum, coffee bean and long, chewy tannins. ”
Hugh Wood, Hamilton Press NZ, 7th May 2008
“ An afternoon filled with top Aussie wine … Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 2005 is a more conventional wine with lots of ripe spicy fruit and sweet American oak, but is not the least bit 'jammy' as can happen if the wine-making is a bit ham-handed. Very good wine… high $20's and worth every penny. ”
Josh Raynolds- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2008
“ 92 Points Vivid ruby. Sexy, oak-accented blackberry and boysenberry aromas are complicated by vanilla, cola and black cardamon Powerful, concentrated dark fruit flavours are firmed by dusty tannins, which quickly succumb to the sweet fruit. Very rich but surprisingly energetic wine with very good lift and lingering spiciness- and complex enough to enjoy right now. ”
Many Fine Wines to Cellar- Geoff Kelly- Wines New Zealand 1.10.08
“ It is a pleasure to report that this 2005 is much subtler than recent efforts. It is less 'euc'y' and less oaky. Instead the wine is fragrant and mouthfillinf on splendidly rich dark plummy to boysenberry fruit, with just a little mint. Oak increases through the palate, but will marry in. Cellar 5–15 years. ”
2009 Australian Wine Annual — Jeremy Oliver
“ 90 Points A meaty, ripe and evenly ripened Barossa shiraz whose deep, juicy flavours of fresh blackberries and plums are handsomely backed by chocolate/mocha oak with a dusting of pepper and spice. It's long and vibrant, but is underpinned by a slightly green-edged and metallic extract, before finishing with a hint of saltiness. ”
James Halliday, Weekend Australian December 2006
“ The 2004 Grant Burge Filsell, great colour, was dark but clear, with a magical mix of fleshy and firmer fruit, giving it great balance and mouthfeel and savoury tannins giving the wine a note of authority ”
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2008 Edition
“ 94 points Great colour, a magical mix of fleshy and firmer fruit, great balance and mouthfeel; savoury tannins provide discipline. ”
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Jul/Aug 07
“ 87+ points Dark red. Spicy, herb-accented red berries and cherry on the nose, with a deeper tobacco note adding complexity. Taut, minerally cherry and cherry pit flavors are braced by firm tannins and bright acidity. Youthfully wound up on the finish, which features a musky licorice quality. Will time in bottle bring more pliancy? ”
2008 Australian Wine Annual — Jeremy Oliver; July 2007
“ 94 Points ‘A typically elegant and sweetly fruited Lyndoch Shiraz whose wild heady and alluring perfume of small dark fruits, musk and cloves….. on one hand it is sumptuous and richly fruited, with deep flavours of plums, blackberries and cassis, on the other, it’s elegant and approachable, supported by firm-ish but pleasant tannin…’ ”
Lauraine Jacobs- Sunday August 2007
“ 5 stars Every so often its worth treating yourself to a delicious wine to linger over. The rich fruit in this wine is delivered with a dollop of vanilla and some oaky flavours. Perfect with a rich sausage dish. ”
James Halliday- July 2007
“ 2008 Australian Wine Companion 94 points Great colour, a magical mix of fleshy and firmer fruit, great balance and mouthfeel; savoury tannins provide discipline. ”
Robert Whitley, WineReviewOnLine.com USA, February 2006
“ Fans of big-shouldered, ultra-ripe Aussie shiraz will snap up Burge's Filsell in a hurry. This vineyard-designated Shiraz from the famed Barossa Valley is powerful, complex and very ripe, showing smooth, sweet tannins and exceptional length and persistence on the palate. With jammy flavors of currant, blackberry and raspberry kissed with a touch of sweet oak, this is the sort of Shiraz that screams Aussie sunshine! Serve it with a rare filet mignon and you'll be in Aussie heaven. — Robert Whitley 91 Points ”
Linda Murphy, San Francisco Chronicle USA
“ There is wonderful balance and complexity here, with jazzy blackberry and raspberry fruit, black olive, mocha and vanilla notes and mouthwatering acidity — racy and lively. Rated:excellent ”
The Wine Report Tasting Panel, www.winesimple.com USA, April 2006
“ What "looks like a black cherry" sometimes tastes like one, too. Dominated by cherry flavors, this wine also had pleasant notes of allspice, licorice, eucalyptus and smoke. Panelists noted the "flavor was not as pronounced" as one might like and seemed "a bit watered down." Even with some "serious tannin and spice," the mouthfeel was smooth and the body was well structured. Complex fruit, leather, mint and pepper flavors lingered in the finish. Food Friendliness: Rare roast beef brings out the wine's spice, and the wine will cut the meat's fat. 91 points ”
Tyson Stelzer April 2005 Top 500 Wines of 2005–2006
“ A rich, ripe and sweet cherry/plum fruited wine with spice, pepper, coffee and vanillin oak. Tannins are soft and a balanced morello cherry acidity balances the sweet fruit. This is a wine to enjoy young. 90 out of 100 points. (Very good wine.) Best drinking around: 2005–2008. This bottle was sealed with a cork. Like it. ”
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2007
“ Traditional blackberry, plum, earth, spice and vanilla; good mouthfeel and length; impressive given the vintage. Cork Rating 89 Drink 2012 ”
Raymond Chan, Regional Wines New Zeland, August 2004
“ The 2002 FIlsell may well be the best ever wine made under this label and reflects the concentration and weight from 80+ vines from a special vineyard and an outstanding growing season. Impenetrable black-purple-red colour. Wonderful, piquant, aromatic nose with florals and spices pf nuanced shiraz and subtle American oak. Fully ripened fruit this is lush, plush and juicy. Elegant, yet with great power and concentration. Supple, but substantial tannis, very, very fine-grained and beautifully long finish with violet, pepper and licquorice flavours 10 – 15 years cellaring possible. 20.0/20 points (perfection!) ”
Wine Watch, April 2003
“ Grant Burge’s 2000 Filsell Shiraz sold out last year, and the newly released 2001 Filsell is set to be just as much of a success. The wine has a big, full, fleshy palate with abundant fresh cherry, raspberry and plum flavours. It can be consumer now, but the complexity of the palate indicates it will mature will over the next 12–15 years. The 2001 Filsell Shiraz complements the finest meat and game dishes, robust casseroles or aged cheeses ”
Food and Wine, The Daily Telegraph, 2 April 2003
“ Most of the fruit for this robust Barossa red came from Burge’s Filsell vineyard – planted between 25–80 years ago. In 2001, the fruit had an added dimension of weight and flavour richness so Burge matured a large portion in toasted oak. The result is a mélange of spicy, charred nuances supporting the classic chocolate of Barossa shiraz. ”
Winestate Magazine, March 2002
“ “Intense fruit nose balanced by nice spice/licorice/meaty characters. Big complex mouthfilling tarry/licorice flavours. Nice smoky oak and long tannins.” 4 ½ stars ”
Tony Wilson, Gold Coast Sun, July 17, 2002
“ …is an excellent red-purple colour and main aromas are violets, plums, berry fruit and spices. It is a big chewy red with tight tannins and should cellar well for eight years. A fine shiraz in any company. ”
Joelle Thomson, Wine Magazine, August 2002
“ It’s not surprising that this single vineyard mid-tier wine is a big seller. For just $30 you can drink a wine with delicious ripe, sweet shirazy plum flavours, a velvet, smooth texture and more than a modicum of complexity. But Filsell Shiraz is about more than just all those impressive components. This is an impressively styled wine, sporting subtle integration of flavour and refinement that means it can age well. And at this price, what are you waiting for? ”
Ralph Kyte-Powell & Huon Hooke, Uncorked, Sydney Morning Herald, November 2002
“ Filsell seems to have become bigger over the years. It’s a classic Barossa, with generous chocolate, malt and vanilla aromas, plus some mint and spice. It’s soft and smooth and chewy in the mouth, with big, soft fruitcake flavours. 5 stars. ”
(at first wine in range)
»» Wines of Distinction The Holy Trinity Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
- Grant Burge Wines Pty Ltd · Jacobs Creek, Barossa Valley, South Australia
- website by Michael Major Media
