“Love is an emotion that can be felt for an eternity. Gold is just material.”
Barr-Eden Estate is a storied piece of land situated at the crest of Mengler’s Hill, one of the highest points of viticulture in Australia. Well-known grape-grower Joel Mattschoss first acquired fruit from the site, which sits atop the ancient goldfields of the Eden, in 2014, to produce the first small batch Love Over Gold wine with Frenchman Pierre-Henri Morel. After the passing of the estate’s owner, Barossa icon, Bob McLean, in 2015, a venture began between the two, along with friends Michael Twelftree and Tim Hower, to become the new custodians of this special property of great pedigree.
Barr-Eden Estate Dreams of Gold Shiraz 2020
Deep crimson. Plush blackberry, dark cherry aromas with praline, herb notes. Generously concentrated palate with buoyant blackberry, dark cherry fruits, attractive dark chocolate, chinotto notes, fine satin textures and persistent integrated acidity. 13.9% alc Drink now - 2028 Screw cap
Rating: 94 Points
Source: Andrew Caillard MW, winepilot.com
Barr-Eden Estate Dreams of Gold Shiraz 2020
Fruit from Mengler’s Hill, 1997 and 2013 plantings. Basket pressed then matured in seasoned French oak puncheons and hogsheads. Pretty, fragrant, refreshing and poised. Crunchy morello cherries and raspberries arise, wonderfully fragranced by rose petal and musk. The bright and refreshing (if a little bracing) acidity of the top of Mengler’s Hill directs a long and focused finish, with the able support of fine-ground tannins. Patience.
Rating: 93 Points
Source: Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion 2022
Barr-Eden Estate Dreams of Gold Shiraz 2020
A new addition to the lineup, the 2020 Dreams of Gold Shiraz comes from relatively young vines, planted in 1997 and 2013. Aged in older French oak, it boasts scents of "Eden Valley garrigue"— notes that suggest eucalyptus, bay leaf and wild thyme—set against a backdrop of blueberries. Less intense and concentrated than the other bottlings, it's still medium to full-bodied, suave and silky in feel, with a clean, mouthwatering !nish and a soft dusting of tannins.
Rating: 90 points
Source: Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, September 2021
