Chris Ringland, Dimchurch Barossa Shiraz 150cl, South Australia, 2016

Producer Profile

Chris Ringland came from humble beginnings. Growing up in Auckland, in 1974 he decided to have a go at home winemaking after finding an old recipe book, and together with some schoolmates harvested his neighbours’ backyard vines.

Interested in learning more about the science and history of winemaking, in 1977 he applied to the university of Adelaide and was accepted on the oenology degree course at Roseworthy College. After graduating, Chris returned to New Zealand for a few vintages before travelling to California to gain more experience. Working for Rockford Wines in Barossa Valley for 18 vintages, he had the opportunity to purchase his own vineyard. Chris had already established a winemaking project, Three Rivers Shiraz, in 1989, utilising parcels of fruit purchased from various growers, In 1995 he was able to continue with Shiraz harvested from the 100-year-old vines on his Stone Chimney Creek property, high in the Barossa Ranges of Eden Valley. At this point he changed the name from Three Rivers to Chris Ringland Shiraz, and with the release of the 1998 vintage Chris Ringland Winery was born.

Viticulture

The Dimchurch Shiraz is the most classic expression of Barossa Shiraz within the Hoffmann Vineyard portfolio. Considered the more fruit-driven wine from the Hoffmann/Dimchurch project, the collaboration draws on old vines at Ebenezer in the Northern Barossa Valley, where Adrian, a fifth-generation Hoffmann vigneron, carefully selects individual parcels from his own and neighbouring Shiraz vineyards throughout the growing season.

Winemaking

After 24 months in oak, a preliminary barrel tasting is held and the classification begins. This process is repeated every six months until the blends are finalised and the Dimchurch is ready for bottling. The Hoffmann Vineyard Shiraz typically remains in oak for a further 12 months.

Tasting Note

Opulent aromas of cedar, dried fig, blackberry compote and anise lead into a palate dense with dark chocolate, spiced plum and espresso. This is a richly layered, full-bodied Shiraz with remarkable concentration, carrying its weight with a velvety texture and finishing with impressive length. A singular expression of Barossa power and old-vine depth.

Food Matching

Slow-braised beef short ribs with a red wine reduction, or a venison stew layered with root vegetables and juniper.