Rockford Sparkling Black Shiraz (Disgorged 2023)

Brand	Rockford
Region	Barossa Valley, SA
Varietal	Shiraz
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	13.5%
Country	Australia

Each year after vintage, Rockford choose specific parcels of Shiraz for their Sparkling Black Shiraz. Following maturation in oak barrels for two years, a portion of this ‘newer’ vintage wine is blended with some of the Rockford Black Shiraz ‘base blend’ wine. It’s a rolling blend that has been 35 years in the making, growing in complexity with every vintage. It’s this base wine that gives the Black Shiraz its consistency and complexity and ensures it will remain true to the Rockford style year in, year out. After blending the wine is bottled and then undergoes a second fermentation. Once this magical transformation from still wine to sparkling wine is complete, Black Shiraz is aged on yeast lees in the same bottle then hand-riddled, disgorged and liqueured with Rockford’s own fortified Shiraz. Finally, it is carefully packaged by hand by a small and committed group of long-term Rockford employees. Because it’s a blend of many vintages, the date on the bottles refers to the year that Black Shiraz was disgorged.

As the bubbles tickle your nose, the aromas of plums, blackberries, dark cherries and baking spices and more all become apparent.

The wine dances across the palate, dark fruit and spice, all tied up with the effervescence. The fruit appears sweet on the front palate, but it finishes dry and long. Perfect any Christmas morning, lunch or dinner. Enjoy now or cellar as watch it change!