95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier from Langhorne Creek, Australia.
Sample submitted for review. SRP of $24 and available for as low as $17. 1,800 cases produced.
From the bottle:
"The Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Vineyard is on the shores of Lake Alexandrina where, each summer afternoon, the house cooling breeze of our 'Lake Doctor' arrives and revives vines and vignerons alike. We have released this blend from the Lake Doctor Vineyard each vintage since 2003.
Zonte's Footstep is named after a 19th century Zante currant vineyard as new pairings follow the original footstep. The currant business dried up, but Zonte's Footstep became our blueprint...
In 2003 a group of mates pooled old white utes and new-ish tractors to grow the best grapes from the best vineyards. All we want to do is taste our fruit in our wine, so we charged our reigning winemaker, Mr. Ben Riggs, with one goal; to make wine true to vineyard so long as it is bloody good drink!
The Lake Doctor vineyard is on a 40 million year old alluvial plain, nestled between two rivers adjacent to Lake Alexandrina, upstream from the River Murray's sea mouth. It is an oasis in a cool desert with vines planted on their own roots, in maritime red sands that sit over pre-Cambrian Limestone and is ideal for growing grapes.
The truth is out there in the vineyard, but the proof is in this bottle.
14.0% Alcohol"
Here at The Reverse Wine Snob we've been on quite a Shiraz kick lately (see here, here andhere). Maybe it's the horrendous winter we've been having, or maybe it's just the comfort of revisiting the many expressions of our favorite varietal, but whatever the reason we're enjoying this mini-Syrah/Shiraz binge immensely. As much as we like to try new things it's still always nice to be able to focus for a bit on what we love. And today we have a classic Shiraz/Viognier blend that really hits us right.
The 2010 Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Shiraz begins with very pleasant aromas of blackberry, violets, a little vanilla and a hint of mocha. Tasting reveals really ripe and rich blackberry and blueberry fruit, a nice touch of sweetness from the Viognier, elegant touches of vanilla and a smooth, lush texture featuring fine tannins. It ends with good length, more rich fruit and some light bitter dark chocolate notes. If you need a cure for this endless winter this wine is just what the doctor ordered!
Overall Rating: 7.8
