Region and Vineyards
Rockford sources Shiraz from specially selected small parcels across the Barossa, drawing on a patchwork of growers and venerable sites to achieve depth and balance. The warm, Mediterranean climate fosters full ripeness, while night-time diurnal variation preserves freshness. Soils shift from friable sands and loams to heavier clays, providing both aromatic lift and tannic authority. This mosaic of sub-regions underpins Basket Press's hallmark generosity and savoury complexity.
Barossa's reputation for age-worthy Shiraz is anchored in its heritage vineyards and multi-generational farming culture. Old vines—many pre-war plantings—yield naturally low crops of concentrated berries, translating to colour, flavour density and subtle spice. Rockford's long partnerships with local families amplify this regional strength, blending parcels to create a complete, consistent style vintage after vintage.
Winemaking
The wine is 100% Shiraz, hand-made in the classic Rockford manner: open fermenters, gentle basket pressing and careful maturation. Basket pressing extracts colour and flavour with finesse, limiting harsh phenolics and preserving the wine's velvety texture. Ferments are managed for balance rather than brute force, emphasising perfume and supple structure.
Maturation follows tradition: approximately two years in seasoned American and French oak casks, encouraging integration rather than overt wood imprint. The final blend brings together Barossa sub-regions to harmonise ripe black fruit with savoury, earthen detail and a long, flowing finish.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Deep garnet with a dense core and a faint purple rim.
- Aroma: Blackberry and blood plum layered with dark chocolate, espresso, anise and dried thyme; subtle cedar and warm spice from seasoned oak.
- Palate: Full-bodied yet composed; ripe black fruits glide over silky, fine-grained tannins. Cocoa, walnut and smoked spice add savoury complexity; acidity keeps the finish long, even and mouth-watering.
Did you know?
Rockford intentionally preserves early 20th-century winery equipment—including its namesake basket presses—so the wine is literally shaped by the tools of Barossa's past. Founder Robert O'Callaghan is also a noted advocate for natural cork, aligning packaging with tradition as closely as the winemaking itself.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Grilled lamb cutlets with rosemary: Lamb's savoury fat and herbal crust echo the wine's dark fruit and spice, while tannins cut through richness.
- Beef ribeye with pepper jus: Peppercorn and seared crust resonate with Shiraz's pepper-cocoa register; structure matches the steak's intensity.
- Kangaroo or venison backstrap: Lean game elevates the wine's wild herb and forest-floor nuances without overwhelming its balance.
- Mushroom and truffle ragù on polenta: Earthy depth mirrors the wine's savoury notes; creamy polenta softens tannins for a plush mouthfeel.
