2023 Hobbs of The Barossa Behr Creek Shiraz Montepulciano | 95 Points | Barossa

🍷 95 Points | Barossa Shiraz Meets Italian Montepulciano – An Extraordinary Red from Hobbs!

95 Points – Wine Orbit | 94 Points – Halliday Wine Companion | 94 Points – Q Wine

A Remarkable 60/40 Blend from the Barossa Ranges – And a Wine with a Fascinating Story!

2023 Hobbs of the Barossa Behr Creek Shiraz Montepulciano

Barossa Valley, South Australia

RRP $50

What happens when you take one of Australia's greatest red varieties, Barossa Shiraz, and blend it with one of Italy's most exciting grapes?

You get one hell of a red wine!

And that's exactly what we have here with the 2023 Hobbs Behr Creek Shiraz Montepulciano.

This wine is absolutely fascinating.

60% Shiraz.

40% Montepulciano.

Two varieties with very different personalities.

One brings the richness, depth and unmistakable generosity of the Barossa.

The other contributes juicy fruit, beautiful natural acidity, savoury complexity and a wonderful freshness.

Put them together and something extraordinary happens.

And look at the scores!

95 POINTS – WINE ORBIT!

94 POINTS – HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION!

94 POINTS – Q WINE!

But there's much more to this wine than the scores.

It's made by one of the Barossa's most interesting boutique producers, from vineyards in the beautiful Barossa Ranges.

And the name Behr Creek has a fascinating connection to the earliest botanical exploration of South Australia.

This is exactly the sort of wine I love discovering at Liquid Vibe!

Hobbs of the Barossa – A Remarkable Boutique Producer

Hobbs of the Barossa is the creation of Greg and Allison Hobbs.

Their vineyard is located high in the Barossa Ranges, overlooking Flaxmans Valley.

And this is no ordinary Barossa vineyard.

The elevation and surrounding landscape provide a very different environment from the warmer valley floor.

Cooler conditions help preserve freshness.

Longer ripening can develop beautiful flavour complexity.

And the resulting wines combine the concentration you'd expect from great Barossa fruit with wonderful structure and balance.

Hobbs has developed a reputation for some extraordinary Shiraz.

Particularly its flagship wines, including the celebrated 1905 Shiraz and Gregor Shiraz.

These are powerful, concentrated and distinctive expressions of the Barossa.

But the Behr Creek range demonstrates another side of the producer.

A willingness to experiment.

To explore different varieties.

And to create wines that are wonderfully enjoyable without sacrificing complexity.

Here's Something Most People Wouldn't Know – Who Was Dr Behr?

The Behr Creek name has a wonderful story behind it.

The wine takes its name from a creek that runs past the Hobbs vineyard.

But the creek itself was named after Dr Hermann H. Behr.

Behr was a German-born botanist and naturalist who explored South Australia's remarkable flora during the 1840s.

He was among the early scientists to study the distinctive plants of the Barossa Ranges.

His botanical work contributed to the understanding of South Australia's extraordinary natural environment.

And more than 180 years later, his name lives on through the landscape.

And through this wine.

I love details like this.

Because wine should be about more than grapes and barrels.

It's about history.

People.

Landscape.

And a connection to place.

Shiraz and Montepulciano – Why This Blend Works So Beautifully

Here's where things become particularly interesting.

Shiraz and Montepulciano are not varieties you often see blended together in Australia.

But when you think about their individual characteristics, the combination makes enormous sense.

Shiraz – The Heart of the Barossa

Barossa Shiraz is famous around the world.

Its signature characteristics include:

• Dark plum

• Blackberry

• Black cherry

• Chocolate

• Liquorice

• Sweet spice

• Generous texture

• Rich, beautifully integrated tannins

In the Behr Creek blend, Shiraz provides the foundation.

Depth.

Structure.

Richness.

And that unmistakable Barossa personality.

Montepulciano – Italy's Wonderful Red Grape

Montepulciano is one of Italy's great red varieties.

It's particularly associated with Abruzzo, where it produces some wonderfully generous and characterful wines.

But here's something fascinating.

Montepulciano the grape is not the same thing as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano comes from the Tuscan town of Montepulciano and is based on Sangiovese.

Montepulciano the grape is a separate variety altogether.

And it's proving remarkably well suited to parts of South Australia.

The variety can deliver:

• Juicy cherry fruit

• Dark berries

• Violet perfume

• Savoury herbs

• Bright natural acidity

• Fine tannin

• Wonderful freshness

And that's precisely why it works so beautifully alongside Shiraz.

The Shiraz supplies richness and structure.

The Montepulciano contributes aromatic lift, juicy fruit and acidity.

Together, they create a wine that's rich without being heavy.

A 60/40 Blend – And a Fascinating Regional Connection

The 2023 Behr Creek is made from:

60% Shiraz

40% Montepulciano

And here's another interesting detail.

The Montepulciano component comes from Eden Valley, according to Erin Larkin's Wine Advocate review.

That helps explain the wine's regional designation as Barossa rather than simply Barossa Valley.

The broader Barossa region encompasses both the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley.

It's an important distinction.

And one that makes this blend even more fascinating.

Two grape varieties.

Complementary growing environments.

One beautifully balanced red wine.

Winemaking – Wild Fermentation and Seasoned French Oak

One of the things I particularly like about this wine is its restrained winemaking.

The fruit was hand-picked.

Fermentation took place naturally using wild yeasts over approximately 10 days.

The fermenting fruit was gently plunged by hand each day.

This careful extraction helps develop colour, flavour and tannin without making the wine unnecessarily aggressive.

After fermentation, the wine was slowly pressed into seasoned French oak barrels.

And here's an important detail.

Seasoned French oak.

Not an enormous amount of new oak.

The objective was to allow the fruit and the two grape varieties to shine.

The wine matured for 12 months before bottling.

The result is a beautifully integrated red with generous fruit, fine spice, subtle oak and wonderful freshness.

Tasting Notes – Plums, Blueberries, Violets and Chocolate

The 2023 Behr Creek Shiraz Montepulciano is an absolutely delicious wine.

Deep maroon in colour with a beautiful purple hue.

The aromatics are wonderfully expressive.

Expect:

• Ripe Satsuma plum

• Dark cherry

• Blueberry

• Mulberry

• Violet and red floral perfume

• Aniseed

• Mocha

• Dark chocolate

• Fine baking spices

• Subtle savoury herbs

• Olive tapenade

The palate is where this wine really shines.

There's wonderful Barossa richness.

Juicy plum.

Dark cherries.

Blueberries.

And beautifully concentrated red and black fruits.

But then comes the Montepulciano.

A wonderful lift of fresh acidity.

A little cranberry brightness.

Fine savoury spice.

And beautifully textured tannins.

The mouthfeel is silky and generous.

But the wine never feels heavy.

The acidity keeps everything fresh and vibrant.

And the finish is long, with dark fruit, chocolate, spice and a lovely savoury edge.

Plum. Blueberry. Dark cherry. Violet. Chocolate. Aniseed. Fine spice. Silky tannins. Beautiful freshness.

This is one seriously enjoyable red wine.

95 Points – Wine Orbit

The 2023 Hobbs Behr Creek Shiraz Montepulciano has been awarded:

95 POINTS – WINE ORBIT!

Another outstanding endorsement for this fascinating blend.

And when you consider the wine's combination of richness, freshness and complexity, it's easy to understand why it has attracted such strong attention.

94 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

Dave Brookes awarded the wine:

94 POINTS – HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION!

His review highlights its wonderful combination of dark fruit and savoury complexity.

Satsuma plum.

Dark cherry.

Boysenberry.

Baking spices.

Pressed flowers.

Mocha.

And an intriguing combination of olive tapenade, dried citrus and earth.

But what makes the wine particularly exciting is its freshness.

The acidity gives the palate wonderful energy.

Fine, powdery tannins provide structure.

And a little cranberry character adds lift to the finish.

A beautifully balanced combination of richness and vibrancy.

94 Points – Q Wine

Steve Leszczynski of Q Wine also awarded the wine:

94 POINTS!

And his assessment is particularly interesting.

He notes how successfully Montepulciano has adapted to the Barossa's growing conditions.

And how beautifully the variety works alongside Shiraz.

The floral perfume, juicy blueberry fruit and fine spice make a wonderful impression.

But it's the way the two varieties work together that really stands out.

The Montepulciano provides freshness and energy.

The Shiraz wraps everything in generous fruit and beautiful texture.

The result is a clever, harmonious and seriously enjoyable blend.

Additional Critical Acclaim

The wine has also attracted further praise.

93 Points – Wine Pilot, Ken Gargett

Ken highlights the wine's dark plum, blackcurrant, mocha, chocolate and aniseed characters, together with its concentration and length.

92 Points – Robert Parker Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

Erin notes the wine's blackberry, liquorice and exotic spice characters, along with its fleshy palate and refreshing cherry-like acidity.

It's an impressive collection of reviews for a wine with an RRP of $50.

Why Montepulciano Is So Exciting in Australia

I think Montepulciano is one of the most interesting varieties being explored in Australia.

And here's why.

Australia has an enormous amount of experience growing Mediterranean grape varieties.

Shiraz.

Grenache.

Mataro.

Sangiovese.

And increasingly, varieties such as Montepulciano, Fiano and Nero d'Avola.

But Montepulciano has something particularly appealing.

It can produce wines with generous fruit concentration while retaining wonderful acidity.

That makes it extremely useful in warm regions.

Especially when blended with a variety such as Shiraz.

You can retain the richness people love about Barossa reds.

But introduce a completely different level of freshness and vibrancy.

And the 2023 Behr Creek is a magnificent example.

Cellaring Potential

This wine is already beautifully approachable.

The silky tannins, generous fruit and vibrant acidity make it a pleasure to drink now.

But it also has enough structure to develop further.

Suggested drinking window: 2026–2033.

I'd happily open a bottle tonight.

But I'd also put a few away.

As it matures, the youthful plum and cherry fruit should develop deeper savoury, earthy and spicy complexity.

Food Pairings

This is a magnificent food wine.

I'd recommend:

• Slow-roasted lamb shoulder

• Chargrilled rib-eye steak

• Wood-fired pizza

• Italian sausage with fennel

• Beef ragu with pappardelle

• Mushroom and truffle risotto

• Eggplant parmigiana

• Aged pecorino

Personally, I'd love this with a slow-cooked beef ragu and fresh pappardelle.

The Shiraz richness would complement the meat beautifully.

And the Montepulciano's vibrant acidity would cut through the richness of the sauce.

Absolutely sensational.

Why We Love It at Liquid Vibe

Because this is exactly the sort of wine that makes exploring Australian reds so exciting.

A celebrated boutique Barossa producer.

A fascinating historical connection.

An unusual but brilliantly successful blend.

Beautifully restrained winemaking.

Generous fruit.

Silky tannins.

Wonderful natural acidity.

And outstanding critical acclaim.

Look at what you're getting.

2023 Hobbs of the Barossa Behr Creek Shiraz Montepulciano

Barossa, South Australia

60% Shiraz | 40% Montepulciano

Hand-Picked Fruit

Wild Yeast Fermentation

12 Months in Seasoned French Oak

14.5% Alcohol

95 Points – Wine Orbit

94 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

94 Points – Q Wine

93 Points – Wine Pilot

92 Points – Robert Parker Wine Advocate

RRP $50

This is a seriously exciting red wine.

Rich.

Generous.

Beautifully balanced.

And full of personality.

If you love Barossa Shiraz but want to discover something a little different, this wine is an absolute beauty.

2023 HOBBS BEHR CREEK SHIRAZ MONTEPULCIANO

BAROSSA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

95 POINTS – WINE ORBIT!

94 POINTS – HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION!

94 POINTS – Q WINE!

RRP $50

60% SHIRAZ | 40% MONTEPULCIANO

PLUM. BLUEBERRY. DARK CHERRY. VIOLET. CHOCOLATE. ANISEED. SILKY TANNINS. BEAUTIFUL FRESHNESS.

A BRILLIANT COMBINATION OF BAROSSA RICHNESS AND ITALIAN-INSPIRED VIBRANCY!

ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING RED BLENDS COMING OUT OF THE BAROSSA!