Purple Palate

Russell have some fantastic holdings in the Greenock sub-region of the Barossa. Made from old vines by the prodigious Shawn Kalleske, this is the flagship Russell Shiraz. From the very good 2006 vintage, the typically plush, creamy Greenock characters have an added dimension of brooding, underlined by intense black fruit. Despite its longevity, its generously fragrant now, with a complex nose of herbal molasses, white chocolate, cocoa, strawberry and dried apricot. Its long finish unveils deep, dark oak characters, silky tannins and undercurrents of raisin spice. Promises to cellar for the medium or long term. Limited production. -NT