Ravenswood Shiraz - Redux

Back to the Ravenswood Shiraz from an earlier, long gone thread:

Had the opportunity to discuss this wine with Joel Peterson recently in New Orleans. With the purchase by Constellation Brands, Mr Peterson was in a meeting with other segments of the CB's portfolio. He mentioned a desire to do some Syrahs and received an offer for some prime Shiraz from an Australian counterpart. He took the winemaker/grower up on his offer, and has now done three vintages. Unfortunately, he was not pouring any that night, nor was he offering it at any of the tastings. He indicated that he was pleased with his efforts and the OZ fruit, but allowed as how each vintage (and possibly his work with the grape) was an improvement over the previous. As this was a "pet project" for him, he was adamant that he was not re-labeling Australian wine, but was producing from OZ grapes. I do not recall the location of the fermentation, barrel-room, etc. though he probably provided those details. Unfortunately, our discussion was near the end of an evening of tastings, so my memory was a bit clouded.

Earlier, I stated that I did not think that Ravenswood had done a Shiraz. I apologize for making that statement, especially seeing as how they have now done THREE vintages.

Hunt

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Hunt
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Hunt, Thanks for the clarification. Given Mr. Peterson's predilection for "no wimpy wines," making an Aussie Shiraz makes a lot sense. I also got the chance to speak with him at this year's ZAP Food and Wine tasting -- he continues to be entertaining and informative. If you haven't read the book "Angel's Visits" by David Darlington, I can strongly recommend it (it's about Zin and includes profiles of Joel P. and Paul Draper).

Mark Lipton

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Mark Lipton

[SNIP Shiraz comments]

Mark,

I've not read it, but will go find it now, along with the RW Shiraz, if in AZ. Though I've felt that some recent year's Zins were not up to par with the Woodroad Belloni, Kunde, Dickerson, and other single-vineyard RWs, the Dickerson that we tasted seemed to be getting back on track. For the most part, I love Peterson's and Draper's Zins.

Hunt

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Hunt

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