The wine matured for 36 months in French oak demi-muids, 600 liter barrels typically used in the Rhone Valley. Lifted aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, mineral, smoked meat, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Flavors of espresso, dark chocolate, and sweet black berries are balanced by secondary characters of spice and cedar. Supple and ripe tannins on the complex and expansive finish.

3 Rings was founded in 2004 and soon thereafter was earning 90+ ratings for its Shiraz and Shiraz Reserve in the wine media. Winemaker Kym Teusner graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Science (Oenology major) in 2001. The Shiraz vineyard, with an average age of 35 years, is located on an east-west slope planted primarily on clay over calcrete and slate bedrock soil. The grapes for Shiraz Reserve come from the nearby Kalimna subregion of Barossa, from a single vineyard owned by David Hickenbotham (one of the “3 Rings” of the wine’s name). Here the terroir is sandy loam over black clay and the average age of the vines is 85 years.