First Drop Wines

2009 Shiraz
From a Single Vineyard
in Seppeltsfield 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: Seppeltsfield, Barossa Valley
Soil: Red clay over limestone
Elevation: 245m above sea level

A muscular brooding expression of Barossa Shiraz, it’s flavour packed with kirsch, dark chocolate and liquorice. This wine has been matured in 45% new American oak barriques for 24 months to further enhance its inherent structure. Built for aging not for speed, have another look at this sleeper 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 Seppeltsfield Shiraz

The most structured of the three Fat of the Land Shiraz wines made in 2009, this has a distinctly reserved attitude. Fruits sit in the plum and blueberry spectrum; there's some cassis here too, clove, cardamom, anise and licorice all adding complexity. The palate has a sleeve of ripe, nicely grained tannin buried in a dark plum, blackberry and licorice flavour - quite elemental still, best with some time. Very concentrated.

Score 96

[ download a pdf of First Drop Wines' reviews in the Good Wine Guide 2013 here ]

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

Shiraz Barossa Valley Fat Of The Land Single Vineyard Seppeltsfield 2009
Rich and deep, this is a beautifully focused Shiraz that glides
rather than stomps, offering a cascade of cherry, blackberry, mint
and verbena flavors, with a hint of licorice as the finish lingers effortlessly. Drink now through 2019.—H.S.

92 POINTS

[ visit Wine Spectator website here ]

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2013 Edition, Hardie Grant Books, page 257

2009 Fat of the Land Seppeltsfield Shiraz, Barossa Valley, SA
Impenetrable colour, and while dark and brooding in character, offers glimpses of vibrant fresh blackberry, vine sap and bitter chocolate; the palate is full-bodied and powerful, with a brightness and floral note that engages, and acidity that lingers evenly on the finish; power with restraint . RATING 95

[ visit James Halliday Wine Companion website here ]

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

2009 ‘Fat of the Land’ Seppeltsfield Shiraz
The 2009 Seppeltsfield Shiraz was matured for 24 months in 45% new American oak barriques and 55% seasoned French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it has aromas of creme de cassis, dried plums and kirsch with hints of tobacco, black tea and underbrush. Generously fruited and full bodied in the mouth, it has firm chewy tannins, crisp acid and a long, earthy finish. It’s approachable now but should drink best 2013 to 2023+. 91pts

[ visit eRobertParker online here ]

Wine Front, March 30 2012, by Campbell Mattinson

2009 ‘FAT OF THE LAND’ SEPPELTSFIELD SHIRAZ
24 months in American oak. From a vineyard in the Seppeltsfield sub-region. Bottled for 12 months prior to release. Density. Composure. Lots of milky, vanillin oak but it�s beautifully interwoven with the blackberried richness of the fruit. Exquisite tannin structure. Jubey sweetness/freshness gives it that bit extra. Almost boysenberried. Hard to fault and almost impossible not to like. Super. 94pts

[ visit Wine Front Website - subscription required to view full reviews ]

Gourmet Traveller Wine, October/November 2011, Huon Hooke, page 158

Gourmet Traveller Wine Review of Fat of the Land Seppeltsfield

[ visit the Gourmet Traveller Wine website here ]

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2012 Edition, Hardie Grant Books, page 253

2008 Fat of the Land Seppeltsfield Shiraz, Barossa Valley, SA
Bright, deep purple-red; a major change in tune partly due to 24 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads; here dark chocolate notes swirl through the black cherry and plum fruit, the tannins ripe and round. The front labels of these three wines are virtually identical, and resolutely minimalist. RATING 94

[ visit James Halliday Wine Companion website here ]

Wine Front, June 5 2011, by Mike Bennie

‘FAT OF THE LAND’ SEPPELTSFIELD SHIRAZ 2008

Matt Gant and John Retsas do Barossa well. Ipso, they have nailed down single vineyards to slot into their premium Fat Of The Land range to showcase the flex of Barossa sub-regions. Here is Seppeltsfield with a red clay over limestone soil profile and juice that snoozed in 30% brand new American oak barrels for 24 months. No shame in working the wine with Yank planks here – it just feels right.

The resulting wine is a brooding, almost muscular brew that conjures dark fruits, rose water, violets and sweet spice. Exotic without being foreign, slippery without being greased up. It’s a wine that shows an undercarriage of mocha flavoured, corduroy-textured tannin and fresh extract, suggesting this fat of the land is built for a spell in the cellar. But it seems a little lacking in oomph, surprisingly, as a young wine. Smells like you’re in for a buck-wild Shiraz ride but delivers a more even keeled, pastille freshness than suspected. And not a bad thing. Give it some time. 92+pts

[ visit Wine Front Website - subscription required to view reviews ]

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

[ visit Wine Spectator Online ]

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
by Josh Raynolds

2008 ‘Fat of the Land’ Seppeltsfield Shiraz
Opaque ruby. Captivating aromas of raspberry liqueur, spicecake, flowers and star anise. Creamy, silky and generous, but with strong juicy lift to the red and dark berry and floral pastille flavors. Shows excellent clarity and depth without excess weight. The gently tannic finish features a subtle smoky quality and lingering sweetness. 92pts

[ visit Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar online ]

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

2008 ‘Fat of the Land’ Seppeltsfield Shiraz
According to co-winemakers Matt Gant and John Retsas, the Seppeltsfield Shiraz grown on clay and limestone soils tends to produce a more structured Shiraz. The 2008 Seppeltsfield Shiraz was aged for 24 months in 30% new American oak with the remainder being seasoned French. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it gives wonderfully fragrant warm black cherry, rose petal and violet scents over dark chocolate, violets, some bacon fat, game and touch of mincemeat. Very crisp, rich and tight knit in the mouth, it has a high level of grainy tannins and tons of fruit going long and savory / meaty in the finish. It’s a little too tight and firm to really enjoy now and will be best broached from 2013 to 2022+. 94pts

[ visit eRobertParker online here ]

Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2010 Edition, page 300

Right-click image and choose 'Save Picture As...' to download review

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

Right-click image and choose 'Save Picture As...' to download review

eRobertParker.com, February 2009, Jay Miller

Right-click image and choose 'Save Picture As...' to download review

[ visit eRobertParker.com online here ]

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

Right-click image and choose 'Save Picture As...' to download review

[ visit Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar online here ]

WBM100 Wine News and Reviews, August 2008, Tyson Stelzer, page 10

Right-click image and choose 'Save Picture As...' to download review
[ visit www.awbm.com.au ]

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition, Hardie Grant Books, page 233

Right-click image and choose 'Save Picture As...' to download review

Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines 2008, www.matthewjukes.com

2005 First Drop ‘Fat of the land’ Seppeltsfield Shiraz:
'This wine is but one of Matt Gant's new range and for us it was the one that told the First Drop story the best (happily ever after etc). The Cream (his top red) is made from two vineyard sources - Ebenezer and Seppeltsfield. He also bottles these two vineyards separately and it is the Seppeltsfield cuvee that we immediately latched onto. The supple, pliable, layered, raisin and plum cake notes are simply delicious. He waves his wand like a beardy Harry Potter and the results are compelling even at this tender age. This cuvee might even rival some of the established greats given a few years. I will be glued to the action.'

[ visit www.matthewjukes.com ]

FAT OF THE LAND GREENOCK - VINEYARD LOCATION MAP