TRIAL HILL SHIRAZ

Founded only in 2004, Maverick owns over 100 acres of top vineyards on the Barossa and Eden Valleys, with half the vines being over 50 years old and some much older. Englishman Ron Brown was able to take advantage of the weakness of the market for grapes to buy up vineyards that has previously supplied the fruit for some of Australia's most prestigious labels. In our opinion, Maverick is producing some of the finest wines in the Barossa, from their vineyards in both Eden and Barossa Valley. The combination of some of the highest vineyards in the region on the Pewsey Valley Peak (on which stands the 'monkey nut tree' which can be seen throughout the Barossa, and which features on all the Maverick bottles), the identification of 'terroirs', or blocks, planted with vines ranging in age from 4 to over 100 years old, and viticultural practices which are almost entirely biodynamic, is resulting in really exciting wines. Overall production is tiny, by anybody's standards, making these 'boutique' wines, but without being overpriced. The introduction of the Twins range, in addition to the single vineyard wines, makes use of their ability to produce wines sourced from both Valleys at a more attractive price level, while the new Breechens wines represent great value entry levels wines in the Maverick house style from their vineyards across the region.