Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/597666
november 2015 / the tasting panel / 73 are sourcing their fruit from further outside the region. We see its significant potential and opportunity to carve out an exciting new category." With so many wineries to choose from, why did Delegat choose Barossa Valley Estate? Crack open a book on wine, flip to the subsection of South Australia on the Barossa Valley GI and one of the few wineries mentioned every time is Barossa Valley Estate. Originally established as a co-operative in 1984, consisting of 80 third- and fourth-generation grape growers, BVE became particularly known for its rich, round, black-cherried and, of course, peppery E&E Black Pepper Shiraz, which first gained critical recognition in 1996 by being ranked number seven on that year's Wine Spectator Top 100. They landed high on the list again in 2002 and became one of Australia's benchmark wines. Delegat purchased Barossa Valley Estate in 2013. I asked Jonas Steen, Global Brands & Communications Manager at Delegat, how they've handled the acquisition: "The company was once supply-led and now it is driven by a vision to take the Barossa Valley to the world as never before," he says. "Our grower partners remain very important to us. Barossa Valley Estate is a wine company led by a strategy that includes supply, super premium quality, in market distribution and an evocative brand." Reinvigorated under Delegat's ownership, BVE has unveiled three new wines. I've tasted all three. These aren't the oaky, jammy Australian big boys you'd expect, though. They all have their differences due to their particular varietals of course, but common among all three is a refined, yet vivacious delivery of fruit. Barossa Valley Estate 2013 Shiraz ($24.99) Alluring exotic spice with vibrant fruit flavors of red plum and fresh blackberry. Yvonne Contreras, the Director of Beverage for Rosebud Restaurants tells us, "When I tasted the Shiraz I just thought: Wow, this is a full-bodied, beauti- ful wine that just keeps going, and it's affordable to drink by the glass. This is really a nice introduction without too much investment by someone who may not know about [Barossa Valley]. It is the only 100% Shiraz I will have [on my list] by the glass." Barossa Valley Estate 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.99) Expressive dark plum with seductive black- currant richness. The BVE Cab was Rosebud Restaurants' beverage director Yvonne Contreras's favorite. "I really loved that Cab—and we are a town of Cab drinkers here in Chicago. Joe Fish, our newest fish location with Italian food, is big on moving Cabs. It's crazy because people wouldn't expect a fish house to move that much red." Barossa Valley Estate 2013 Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre (GSM) ($24.99) Fragrant violet with a burst of red berry fruits lingering softly on a velvety texture. Steve Slater, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Wine Division for Southern Wine & Spirits of America, says, "The GSM is my favorite. Really well balanced wine and right up the consumers' center alley and I think it'll do really well." BVE may be making great wine with broad consumer appeal, but they've also been receiving critical acclaim, including a Double Gold Medal with 95 points for the Barossa Valley Estate 2012 Shiraz and a Gold Medal with 91 points for the Barossa Valley Estate 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2015 San Steve Slater, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Wine Division for Southern Wine & Spirits of America says, "The GSM is my favorite. Really well balanced wine and right up the consumers' center alley and I think it'll do really well." PHOTO: JACOB HAND The Barossa Valley is one of the world's most celebrated wine regions. We see its significant potential and opportunity to carve out an exciting new category."