First Drop Wines - Fat of the Land Greenock

2009 Shiraz
From a Single Vineyard
in Greenock in the Barossa Valley

The Barossa is an amazing place with a diverse history from which a great community has grown living off the Fat of the Land. Famed for its Shiraz vineyards, some dating back to the 19th century, the wines from this small, but proud region are as unique and divergent as its history and community. One can make such varied expressions of Shiraz, due to the different meso-climates of district, the elevation range, and the myriad of soil types that are to be found throughout the Barossa. The Fat of the Land series seeks to showcase the districts of the Barossa, and the contrasting styles of Shiraz that can be made here.

Single Vineyard Location: Greenock, Barossa Valley
Soil: Clay and ironstone
Elevation: 330m above sea level

An enigmatic expression of Barossa Shiraz, its mouth filling, fruit laden mid palate is enhanced by complex flavours of game, earth, wet stone and Bloody Mary. This wine has been matured in 50% new French oak hogsheads for 24 months to further enhance its inherent structure. An ethereal wine for the intellectual, so ponder now, or in 10 to 15 years time.

REVIEWS

The Age / Sydney Morning Herald 'Good Wine Guide 2013', Nick Stock, page 304

2009 First Drop Fat of the Land Greenock Shiraz

This wine is super-rich, ultra-ripe and has that hidden Greenock power to it. The nose offers black fruits, plum, cake, dried prunes and earthy aromas. The palate runs sheets of solid tannin from edge to edge and delivers deep plum and blackberry flavour amid toasty oak spice - not one for the meek of palate.

Score 93

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Gourmet Traveller WINE Aug/Sep 2012 - 'Top 100 New Releases', Huon Hooke, page 167

Fat of the Land Greenock Gourmet Traveller Wine Review

2009 First Drop Fat of the Land Greenock Shiraz
Barossa Valley
An appealing Barossa style, with dense purple-red colour and an oak-infused chocolate, vanilla and fruit-cake aroma. The palate is big, soft and cuddly, with modest acidity and gently tannins. Sweet and savoury elements are well balanced.

4 STARS, 92 POINTS

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Wine Spectator, Vol. 8, No. 30, August 2012, ' Insider', Harvey Steiman, page 1

Shiraz Barossa Valley Fat Of The Land Single Vineyard
Greenock 2009
Polished, dense and succulent, with dead-ripe cherry, plum, aniseed and chocolate flavors mingling effortlessly, deftly supported
by lively acidity and framed with fine tannins. The finish persists
impressively. Drink now through 2019.—H.S.

93 POINTS

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Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines 2012

2009 Fat of the Land, Greenock Shiraz, Barossa Valley, SA
Matt and John have pushed the boundaries even further in 2009 and Greenock Shiraz is my pick of the excellent Fat of the Land range. With a splendid retinue of tannins supporting an amazing lush blackberry, plum and sweet liquorice palate, this is a very easy wine to adore on the first sip and that is what distances it from its more belligerent siblings. There are bitter dark chocolate, cool peat and even raspberry high notes to be found in this epic sub-regional Barrosan beauty and I think that we are all now being treated to the most complex and intricate work that the lads have ever done, so don’t miss out on this erudite Titan of a wine.

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Robert Parker’s ‘Wine Advocate’ Issue #199, February, 2012
by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

2009 ‘Fat of the Land’ Greenock Shiraz
Aged in French oak, 50% new, for 24 months, the 2009 Greenock Shiraz has a very deep garnet-purple color and aromas of creme de cassis and ripe blackberries over hints of spice box, smoky bacon, coffee grounds and yeast extract. Full bodied, rich and concentrated, the fruit is very fresh and vibrant in the mouth with lively acid and firm fine tannins to support. The finish is long with a slight menthol and sage lift. It should drink best 2014 to 2024+. 92+pts

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Wine Front, March 30 2012, by Campbell Mattinson

2009 ‘FAT OF THE LAND’ GREENOCK SHIRAZ
The Greenock sub-region is at around 330 metres above sea level. This gives it a slightly cooler aspect � in Barossa Valley terms.

It�s the most understated of the three Fat of the Land releases. It takes a bit of coaxing. It smells and tastes of truffles, corn, blackcurrant, raspberry and soy. Blackberry too of course. There�s no lack of anything, but it�s not as dense/rich as the Ebenezer or Seppeltsfield releases of the same year. It almost has a sinewy character. And noticeably better/more attractive oak: here�s its cedary, clovey, hay-like. There�s a slight jamminess to the fruit but it remains fresh. Hot year but an impressive wine. 93+pts

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James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2012 Edition, Hardie Grant Books, page 252

2008 Fat of the Land Greenock Shiraz, Barossa Valley, SA
Dark, deep purple; here the oak choice is new French hogsheads for 24 months; needless to say, full-bodied, but there is a focus and definition to the multiplicity of the aromas and flavours that lightens the burden; the palate is supple and finishes with a flourish of spicy black fruits. RATING 96

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Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines 2011

2008 Fat of the Land Greenock Shiraz, Barossa Valley, SA
There are signs that Matt Gant is managing to control his beast-like ways and in this vintage they come in the form of a beautifully well put together Fat of the Land Greenock Shiraz. Matt has been surfing the ‘district series wave’ for ages and this vogue is set to grow (see Penfolds first dip in the pond in this 100). So, with a massive and yet staggeringly accurate red wine which is both sexy, layered and controlled I urge you to taste this sensational lesson into what happens when you drill down into Greenock’s ancient soils and strike wine.

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Wine Spectator, Vol. 7, No. 17, April 27, 2011, ' Insider', Harvey Steiman, page 2

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Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
by Josh Raynolds

2008 ‘Fat of the Land’ Greenock Shiraz
Glass-staining ruby. A black hole of dark fruits on the nose, reluctantly offering up notes of candied licorice, espresso and musky herbs. Deeply concentrated cherry compote and blackcurrant flavors are framed by chunky tannins; shows serious power but this is a mighty tough read right now. The finish repeats the licorice note and clings impressively. There's no way I'd be opening one of these any time any time soon. 90(+?)

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Robert Parker’s ‘Wine Advocate’ Issue #192, December 23, 2010
by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

2008 ‘Fat of the Land’ Greenock Shiraz
Coming from clay with ironstone soils at 330 meters in the Greenock sub-region, the 2008 Greenock Shiraz was aged in 100% new French oak for 24 months. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it gives pronounced aromas of warm black currant, black cherry, earth and loam with some underbrush and tree bark and a whiff of spice box. The very full-bodied palate is quite savory in character with crisp acid, medium-firm velvety tannins and a long, spicy finish. Though approachable now, it should begin to really show its stuff in 2-3 years and drink to 2020+. 93pts

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Gourmet Traveller Wine, Dec/Jan 2009 - 100 Top New Releases, p174, Huon Hooke

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Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2010 Edition, page 301

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James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2010 Edition, Hardie Grant Books, page 241

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Wine Spectator, May 31, 2009, Harvey Steiman

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eRobertParker.com, February 2009, Jay Miller

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Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep/0ct 2008, Josh Raynolds

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