The Turkey Flat Vineyard boasts some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world. Planted in 1847, these hard-working gnarled old vines are still producing fantastic grapes. They are dry grown with their roots extending metres into the soil in search of moisture. Much of the credit for the best Shiraz made in the Barossa is due to old vines such as these. The fact that these vines still exist is largely due to a far-sighted quarantine scheme, in which South Australia was spared the phylloxera outbreak which devastated the vineyards of Europe, America and subsequently parts of Australia in the late 1800’s.

This wine is the darling of Australian - read Barossa Valley - Shiraz. It is, and always has been, more about elegance than power, more about richness and complexity than simplicity and always about incredible value. It is probably best summed up by one of its biggest fans in James Halliday who wrote "I simply don't understand why this wine, made from some of the oldest shiraz vines in the world (dating back to 1847) continues to be available at $45. So long as it is, it has a permanent position in the Top 100". While the Barossa has more than its fair share of super premium Shiraz, just three remain in my 'must-buy' list each year. The Penfolds St Henri Shiraz, the Rockford Basket Press Shiraz and the Turkey Flat Barossa Shiraz which despite sitting comfortably in the same quality bracket, weighs in respectively at about half and one-third the retail price of the other two.

The 2007 vintage was mild and long producing a Shiraz that is floral, elegant and well structured. Aged in new and aged French oak for 23 months this wine has developed aromas of dark berry fruits, plum, tobacco & black pepper. On the palate deep, lingering flavours of blackcurrant, plums, raspberries, dark bitter chocolate & cedar fill the mouth with a brooding intensity. Give it time, this wine will go the distance with ease.

Bright colour; pure Barossa fruit, with blackberry, redcurrant and fruitcake on the bouquet; the abundant sweet fruit is offset by a savoury, tarry complexity that drives the palate to its ultimately long and tannin-textured finish. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 95 Points; Drink 2020 $47 Date Tasted Feb 09 James Halliday Wine Companion

Turkey Flat vineyard was first planted in the Barossa in 1847. This has well defined shiraz fruit intensity on the nose, under-pinned by pepper, spice and a deft balance of acid and wood. In the mouth there is a dense, persistent fruit flavour with some warmth on the long, sweet fruit finish. Has deliciously chewy tannins surrounding chocolatey oak on the finish. Drink with a rare rib eye on the bone. Daily Telegraph -Jeff Collerson, 17th November 2009

A deep and generous, soft and savoury shiraz sourced in part from vines planted in 1847. Canberra Times

Turkey Flat has some of the oldest Shiraz vines in Australia, planted in 1847. Its small crops provide the basis for this classical Barossa red that combines restraint, concentration and complexity. Loganberry, sweet spice, plum and cedary oak aromas introduce a sumptuous, velvety wine of great length and fine texture. Rating: 5 Stars; The Age - September 2009