Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"Speaking a local dialect known as ‘Barossa-Deutsch’, a blend of German and English that embodies the history of the district, one of Langmeil’s growers, the late Wally Krieg didn’t curse just as his forebears didn’t, but in the heat of the vintage was often heard to mutter “Hangin’ Snakes!”.
Rich and lifted aromas of Satsuma plum, mulberry and florals mingle with sweet spice, chocolate and savoury notes. Rich, plumy fruit and sweet spice balanced by soft, velvety tannins. A complex, medium to full bodied wine showing hints of mocha, bramble and vanilla which flow through the lengthy, fruity, peppery and spicy finish.
The outstanding 2021 vintage is up there as one of my favourites. Sufficient winter rains revitalized the vines after two consecutive dry, frost-affected and low-yielding years. Spring was near perfect for budburst, flowering and fruit set, enabling vines to flourish and reach their full potential. Summer was gorgeous and mild with slow and even ripening, fantastic colour and flavour development, and acid retention. Finally, an unhurried harvest reduced pressure on fermenter space, cellar hands, and my sanity! As a result, we have captured the personality and quality of every vineyard."
Reviews for previous vintages below…
92/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review, May 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"With its deep purple/red colour, this has aromas of sweet browned spices and baked earth, a hint of blackberry conserve peeping through which becomes much more evident in the mouth. Its sweet core of succulent ripe fruit is followed by just enough balancing tannins. Impressive stuff and the price is a bonus."
90/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2019 Vintage)
"Still fermented on a small quantity of Viognier skins, the 2019 Hangin' Snakes Shiraz no longer includes that variety on the label. It's still apparent in the wine's dark colour, stone-fruit-inflected aromas and ripe, glycerol-rich mouthfeel. It's a lovely mouthful of supple, juicy Shiraz, full-bodied without excessive weight or tannin, just easy-to-drink joy in a glass."