Russell Wines given 5 Star Rating
1 year ago
James Halliday 'Wine Companion 2009'
John Russell and wife Rosalind came to the Barossa in 1990 to create the Barossa Music Festival. The winemaking bug soon bit, and in 94 they planted 14 ha of vines at Krondorf, expanded over the years to 32 ha on three vineyards (St Vincent, Augusta and Greenock Farm), which in turn give rise to the three labels. The cellar door is situated in the old Angaston Court House, where wine, food, music and art exhibitions are all on offer. Shawn Kalleske not only makes the wine, but oversees both his and Russell Wines' vineyards; a substantial part of the production from the latter is sold to other Barossa wineries.
Only the most recent tasting for the most recent vintage of each wine is shown.
The Victor Greenock Farm Barossa Valley Shiraz 2005
An ultra-rich, ripe and velvety array of plum, prune and blackberry fruits plus a touch of licorice manages to carry the formidable alcohol well. Cork. 15.5° alc.
RATING 94 DRINK 2020 DATE TASTED Dec 07
St Vincent Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004
Deep purple-red; a dense and rich wine, with masses of black fruits, earth and licorice; powerful but balanced tannins, good oak. Cork. 14.9° alc.
RATING 94 DRINK 2019 DATE TASTED Dec 07
St Vincent Barossa Valley Chardonnay 2005
Still fresh, and with uncommon line and drive to the grapefruit and nectarine flavours; must be a very cool site in the Valley. Screwcap. 13.8° alc.
RATING 93 DRINK 2014 DATE TASTED Dec 07
Augusta Shiraz 2001
Strongly oaked, but vibrant and fresh; nice weight and good fruit concentration; ripe tannins on the full-fruited finish. Cork. 14.3° alc.
RATING 91 DRINK 2016 DATE TASTED Jan 08
Augusta Barossa Valley Shiraz Cabernet 2004
Very good colour; a dense and powerful array of blackberry fruits, plus strands of licorice, dark chocolate and mocha; good balance and length. Cork. 14.8° alc. RATING 91 DRINK 2014 DATE TASTED Dec 07
Greenock Farm The Fenceline 2005
Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre/Semillon/Riesling/Red Frontignac/White Frontignac/Tokay; where is the viognier? Just when you think the white components are miniscule, the influence of the frontis comes in; this is a weirdo of gargantuan proportions. Cork. 15.5° alc.
RATING 90 DRINK 2015 DATE TASTED Dec 07
St Vincent Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Slightly hazy hue; a firm mix of black and redcurrant fruit, with a slight prickle of CO2; has length, needs time. Cork. 14° alc.
RATING 88 DRINK 2015 DATE TASTED Dec 07