DANDELION VINEYARDS LIONHEART of the BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2023

Gold Medal – New Zealand International Wine Show 2024
Double Gold Medal – Women's Wine & Spirits Awards 2023
Gold Medal – China Wine & Spirits Awards 2025

Produced by the brilliant winemaking duo Elena and Zar Brooks from an ancient Barossa vineyard with many of the vines now over a century old. Dandelion Lionheart is a generous mouthfilling Shiraz with beautiful fruit flavours, luxurious texture and fine structure.

Decanter (UK) magazine said of them…"Dandelion is a partnership between three exceptionally connected and deeply experienced couples in South Australian winemaking, sourcing from old vineyards on prized sites across the state. The wines were noteworthy from the outset, and have become ever more refined with each passing year of experience." They're doing some great things and the Lionheart Shiraz is an excellent place to get a feel for what they do.

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"The Lionheart of Dandelion Vineyards is our old vine Barossa vineyard. These ancient, gnarled vines, many over a hundred years of age, are not only surviving but thriving on their own roots in some of the oldest soils on the planet.

The 2021 Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz is a deep and velvety and dark purple with an unfiltered plushness. On the nose, dark liqueur chocolate freshly grated and earth freshly dug with a well-cared-for shovel. Rosemary flowers as you brush by them; violets at first light; plums about to fall from the tree; white pepper in the mortar. Gentle oak undertones then play bouquet’s role all so sotto voce: mocha, and old old furniture not over polished. Aromatics return with bay leaf and then minerals and graphite. Barossa au naturel. On the palate, depth yet freshness. An acid undertow stretching and straightening a cloud of ripe and super-fine, minerally, powdery shiraz tannins. The body of fruit bobs and bathes in an exuberant and frisky fashion, adding yet another dimension to this every questioning and entertaining red wine…"

92/100 Dave Brooks, James Halliday's Wine Companion (2023 Vintage)
"The Lionheart is an homage to the Barossa‘s lifelong champion of old vines, Carl Lindner. Deep magenta/purple with satsuma plum, black cherry and blueberry fruits with hints of fruitcake, pressed flowers, cocoa nibs, dark chocolate, espresso, earth and licorice. Plushly fruited on the palate with fine, silty tannins and bright acidity."

91/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review (2023 Vintage)
"Aromas of plum, dark cherry, choc-mint, bramble, sweet spice and earth. Dark fruited, opulent, juicy and concentrated on the palate. There's a core of fleshy blood plum, spice and creamy oak at play. The tannins are firm and structured and the acidity delivers ping"