Overview
The 2008 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz is a powerful Heathcote Shiraz shaped by the distinctive ancient Cambrian-derived soils of the region. For this vintage, Georgia’s Paddock fruit was supplemented with grapes grown by friends within Heathcote, producing what Jasper Hill described as a fresh, indulgent wine worth savouring.
Critically acclaimed on release, the 2008 earned 95 points from James Halliday and 94 points from both Wine Spectator and Wine & Spirits Magazine. Halliday highlighted its combination of concentrated fruit, savoury spice, tannin and oak, describing a wine with impressive “length and authority.”
Tasting Notes
Producer Tasting Note — Jasper Hill
“Vibrant magenta colour with a rich dark berry nose. Fabulous hit of fresh red fruits, a spicy luscious mouth feel and great more-ish length.”
James Halliday — 95/100
“Good crimson hue; given the protracted drought, this is a great outcome, plum, licorice and blackberry in a swirl of savoury/spicy tannins and oak; has length and authority.”
Tasted 15 February 2010
James Suckling
“Floral and delicately fruity on the nose with hints of grilled meat. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and rich fruit but a little loosely knit. Some volatile acidity? Water stricken year? Drink now.”
Tasted October 2011
Critic Reviews
95/100 — James Halliday
Tasted 15 February 2010
94/100 — Wine Spectator
Tasted June 2011
94/100 — Wine & Spirits Magazine
Tasted February 2011
Vineyard & Terroir
Georgia’s Paddock is rooted in the distinctive soils for which Jasper Hill’s Heathcote vineyards are renowned. Derived from Cambrian-period basaltic rock estimated at 500–600 million years old, these unusually deep, rusty-red, gravelly loams are well drained while retaining moisture. Their location within a narrow strip between two north-south faults contributes to a complex mineral composition.
Jasper Hill’s original block of Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz was planted in 1975, with additional vines planted in 1987. For the 2008 vintage, Georgia’s Paddock fruit was supplemented with grapes grown by friends within the wider Heathcote region.
About Jasper Hill
Jasper Hill was established by Ron and Elva Laughton in Heathcote in 1975. The family estate is closely associated with Georgia’s Paddock and Emily’s Paddock and has built a long-standing reputation for distinctive Heathcote Shiraz. Georgia’s Paddock remains one of the producer’s defining wines.
Specifications
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Vintage: 2008
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Producer: Jasper Hill
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Wine: Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz
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Grape Variety: 100% Shiraz
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Region: Heathcote, Victoria, Australia
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Alcohol: 15%
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Sweetness: Dry
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Vineyard: Georgia’s Paddock fruit supplemented with fruit grown by friends within the Heathcote region
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Soils: Deep, rusty-red gravelly loams derived from ancient Cambrian basaltic rock
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Drinking Window: 2011–2020
