Introduction

Explorateur - "The Explorer". The Barossa Valley is first and foremost famous for Shiraz above all other varieties, so it's a natural choice. These grapes are handpicked and given a French twist in their winemaking to deliver something outside of the norm.

Tasting Notes

Deep purple with red brick flash around edge. Blackberry fruits with hints of licorice, oak and aniseed. The palate is softly spoken and fruit driven initially with blackberries, plums and licorice notes giving your insight into what is ahead. An approachable mid palate, which is full-flavored, while the fine-grained tannins finish with complex notes of olives, cashew nuts and oak. An alluring finish, which is moreish and smooth, yet has great length.

"Upfront and immediately appealing, the wine shows dark fruit richness, toasted nut, cocoa and mixed spice aromas on the nose, followed by a splendidly flavoursome palate offering excellent weight and persistency. Beautifully balanced by fine-grained tannins, offering excellent drinking. At its best: now to 2034. $35.00. www.colonialwinecompany.com.au. Feb 2024." - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

Winemaking

The vineyards that make up Explorateur are based in the northwestern Barossa Valley. This is a belt of land/terroir that runs from just to the northwest of Tanunda – Marananga, Greenock, Moppa, Ebenezer, and through to Stockwell, just north of Nuriootpa. Cropping levels are kept low to ensure fruit flavour is focus. The same equipment that is accorded to our more expensive wines is made available to Explorateur. Fermentation is French in approach for up to two thirds of the wine made; the rest is vinified in a more Australian way.

Region Barossa Valley
Cellaring Drinking well now or can be cellared for up to 7 years
Alcohol 14.5%

Accolades