BACKGROUND
Dandelion Vineyards are proven plantings that have stood the test of time. Our wish is to nurture the unique character of these vineyards and express their terroir in our wines. To capture variety, vintage and vineyard requires and enlightened approach. “When I see a weed I see the Devil is an old grower's mantra, but we encourage the humble Dandelion amongst the vines as they suppress winter weeds, provide mulch in summer, and their Wishing Clocks to blow off in Spring.”
Dandelion Vineyards is a unique fusion of vineyards and vignerons. Our wines represent decades of experience, blending the fruit of our heirloom vineyards with the finest traditions of artisan winemaking. The Lionheart of Dandelion Vineyards is our old vine Barossa vineyard. From these ancient, gnarled vines, many over a hundred years of age, are not only surviving but thriving on their own roots in some of the oldest soils on the planet.
WINEMAKING
In the last week of March whole bunches of flavour ripe Shiraz were hand harvested, then gently crushed and naturally fermented in open fermenters for nine days, hand plunged twice a day, before careful basket pressing into new (25%) and older French Oak Barriques to finish fermentation. After 18 months maturation and a racking in the same oak, we bottled 2008 Lionheart Shiraz without filtration or fining, to capture the essence of the vineyard. Dandelion Vineyard’s Lionheart is ready to drink and will reward cellaring and decanting.
BLUE-GOLD
2010 Sydney International Wine Competition -
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
Score: 94 Points VALUE 
Review by: Vintage Direct
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
Score: 92 POINTS
Review by: Tyson Stelzer
, WBM100
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
Score: 91 POINTS
Review by: Nick Stock
, The Age Sydney Morning Herald Good Wine Guide
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
Score: 92 POINTS
Review by: Campbell Mattinson
, Winefront Monthly
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
Score: 95 POINTS 
Review by: James Halliday
, Australian Wine Companion 2010 Edition
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
Score: 94 Points
Review by: Rob Corbett
, Australian Wine News
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
Score: 88 Points
Review by: Lisa Perotti-Brown
, www.erobertparker.com
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
Review by: Oz Clarke
, 250 Best Wines of 2012
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa
Review by: Winestar
, Winestar
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
Review by: F. Martin Ramin
, The Wall Street Journal
2008 Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
TASTING NOTES
Intense crimson with youthful purple hues. Lifted blue fruits, blood plum, ripe blackberries and Christmas pudding-like spice flow out of the glass with spicy pepper, and hints of bramble and dark chocolate. Generous mouth filling sweet blackberry, raspberry and plums cover the palate with lashings of sweet spice. Firm but fine tannins and dark chocolaty nuances continue throughout the lengthy palate with youthful finish.
Other Vintages
2009
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2010
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2011
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DRINK
Perfectly matched with all richly flavoured foods, meats, stews, game or mature hard cheeses. Alluring on the palate our Lionheart commands company with food and friends.
WINEMAKER
Elena Brooks BSc (Oenology) Adelaide
SPECIFICS
Alcohol: 14.5%
TA: 7.0g/L
pH: 3.49
RS: 1.8g/L
Latitude 34°37’18” South
Longitude 138°52’34” East
Altitude 724 Feet = 221 Metres
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Wish you were here. Carl Lindner & Brad Rey, Vignerons, Zar Brooks, Typist, Elena Brooks, Winemaker
