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 (75%) and older French Oak Barriques to finish fermentation. After 30 months maturation and a racking in the same oak, we bottled 2008 Red Queen of the Eden Valley Shiraz without filtration or fining, to capture the essence of the vineyard. Dandelion Vineyard’s Red Queen is ready to drink and will reward cellaring and decanting.
Vigneron: Colin Kroehn
BLUE-GOLD
2010 Sydney International Wine Competition -
2008 Red Queen of the Eden Valley Shiraz
SILVER MEDAL
Decanter World Wine Awards, Red Queen Shiraz 2009
2008 Red Queen of the Eden Valley Shiraz
Score: 93 POINTS
Review by: Nick Stock
, The Age Sydney Morning Herald Good Wine Guide
2008 Red Queen of the Eden Valley
Score: Agreeable
Review by: Lester Jesberg
, Winewise
2008 Red Queen of the Eden Valley Shiraz
Score: 91 Points
Review by: Lisa Perotti-Brown
, www.erobertparker.com
2008 Red Queen of the Eden Valley
Score: 
Stars
Review by: Decanter Magazine
, Decanter Magazine
Deep, ripe cassis, mint, vanilla, candied fruit, blueberry, spice and oak bouquet. Rich, sweet, extracted style - supple voluptuous and velvety. Earthy tone, with fine length and balance. Satisfying.
2008 Red Queen of the Eden Valley
Review by: Kerry Skinner
, Mercury Illawarra
"Sophisticated, slick and sumptuous shiraz from a vineyard planted almost a century ago, matured for 30 months in new and used French oak, layers of red and black fruit, spice and chocolate characters, perfectly poised, fine silky tannins."
2008 Red Queen of the Eden Valley
Score: 93 points
Review by: Gary Walsh
, The Wine Front
"Cool Eden aromas of mint/eucalypt, truffles, cooked peas, chocolate, blackcurrant and high quality oak - it has that sweet flavour profile (DMS) that's often seen in Eden Valley Shiraz, and in particular Henschke wines. Some love it, though I'm not red hot on it. What's excellent though is the ample flavour, delightful yet authorative smooth tannin, and pleasing savoury finish - emphatic approval on the texture and shape of it. I'm sure it will cellar, but whether or not it will improve (for my tastes) is another thing. It does not lack character.
93 points.
2008 Red Queen of the Eden Valley
Score:
Review by: Winestate
, Winestate
"Big, chocolaty, commercial style of shiraz that's round and smooth in the mouth."
TASTING NOTES
Intense crimson with youthful purple hues. Lifted raspberry and plums with Summer pudding-like red fruits, dominated by Eden
Valley blueberry and spice. 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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DRINK
Perfectly matched with all richly flavoured foods, meats, stews, game or mature hard cheeses. Alluring on the palate our Lionhert commands company with food and friends.
WINEMAKER
Elena Brooks BSc (Oneology) Adelaide
SPECIFICS
Alcohol: 14.5%
TA: 6.7g/L
pH: 3.45
RS: < 2.5g/L
Latitude 34°38’10” South
Longitude 139°05’30” East
Altitude 1441 Feet = 440 Metres
View Dandelion Vineyards in a larger map
Wish you were here. Carl Lindner & Brad Rey, Vignerons, Zar Brooks, Typist, Elena Brooks, Winemaker
