Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz 1997

Fox Creek Wines was established in 1984 when Helen and Dr Jim Watts purchased a 32 hectare property on Malpas Road in McLaren Vale. The Reserve Shiraz is their flagship and most celebrated wine. The first vintage, made in 1994, won the Trophy for the best wine at the McLaren Vale Wine Show. The Reserve is a veritable powerhouse with amazing depth and richness. Flavours of blackberry, cassis, liquorice and dark chocolate abound in a palate of power, intensity and length. Can be enjoyed in its youth or cellared long term.

"A gorgeous, decadent wine for lovers of mature full-bodied reds. The strong fruit flavours of youth have subsided, as one would expect, but the power, complexity and length of the palate are something to behold. Wow."  Nick Munday (Tasted Mar 2023)

"The grapes for this wine were picked from Fox Creek's four Reserve Shiraz vineyards. It was matured in 100% new American oak where it completed primary and malolactic fermentation. This wine has the incredible depth of colour and flavour that you expect from a Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz. The combination of low yielding vines and proper canopy management has produced a wine rich with intense plum, chocolate and liquorice aromas. Its palate, full of mocha chocolate, spicy fruit and integrated new American oak, has a boldness that will continue to develop both in the bottle and in your glass."  Fox Creek

Expert reviews

"A gorgeous, decadent wine for lovers of mature full-bodied reds. The strong fruit flavours of youth have subsided, as one would expect, but the power, complexity and length of the palate are something to behold. Wow."  Nick Munday, Canterbury Wines - 97 points and Special Value Wine  ★  (Tasted Mar 2023)

"The 1997 Shiraz Reserve conceals its nearly 15% alcohol behind a cascade of incredibly rich, concentrated fruit. This wine sees only new American oak. It boasts an opaque black/purple color in addition to knock-out aromas of melted asphalt, blackberries, truffles, and licorice. Cherry jam notes also emerge in the flavors. Unctuously-textured, incredibly ripe, pure, and full-bodied, this wine would make even Australia's Grange look wimpish if tasted side by side. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2025. Celestial black currants intermixed with coffee, licorice, Asian spices, and pain grille notes are more reminiscent of a blockbuster vintage of Mouton-Rothschild than what I would expect from a Shiraz. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2025."  Robert Parker, Wine Advocate - 96 points

Awards

Special Value Wine – Canterbury Wines  ★

About the winery

Fox Creek Wines is a winery located in the McLaren Vale region of South Australia. McLaren Vale is a highly regarded wine region known for its rich history, Mediterranean climate, and abundant sunshine, which provide ideal growing conditions for a wide variety of grapes.

Fox Creek Wines was established in 1984 when Helen and Dr Jim Watts purchased a 32 hectare property on Malpas Road in McLaren Vale. Going against popular advise at the time, they planted vines in the black clay soils that had previously been used for growing barley. A decade later their flagship shiraz won the Trophy for the best wine at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.  They won this award again in 1998 and 2003 and their Reserve Shiraz achieved international acclaim. Subsequently many of their wines have won trophies and medals at national and international wine shows.

Early in 2021 Helen Watts (at the tender age of 86) sold Fox Creek Wines to Ben Gibson, Jock Harvey and Dim Georgiadis, who are long-time friends and industry colleagues. The winemaker is Ben Tanzer.