We recorded just about average annual rainfall over the year, which resulted in healthy crops of Shiraz and Cabernet. Unseasonably warm November weather interfered with the chardonnay during flowering and resulted in small crops of this variety. The weather then remained almost perfect for the rest of vintage. The general consensus amongst winemakers in the Vale is that 2010 marks an exceptional year for both red and white wines.

This is the 10th vintage of the Battle of Bosworth Shiraz, so we  feel we are really in the groove when it comes to making this wine. Traditionally made in open fermenters with daily pump overs, (to make sure we get maximum flavour, colour and tannins out of the grapes) the wine finishes fermentation in barrel. Being ‘estate’ grown – owing in the main to our organic status which precludes us from buying grapes from anyone else in the district- we process the grapes in small batches. This gives us an array of components to choose from when putting the final blend together; this helps us make a better and more complex wine. One such component is the cordon cut, vine dried Shiraz. We only add a small amount (4-8%) of this component to the BoB Shiraz, but its impact is significant, bringing spice and intrigue to the wine. The Shiraz is matured in a mix of new and older French and American oak barriques prior to bottling.

• Professional Judges Winner – South Australian Wine of the Year Awards 2012

  This is the third year in a row that Battle of Bosworth has jagged the Professional Judges award in the Organic category at the SA wine of the year Awards, held at the InterContinental Hotel.  Tony Love from the Advertiser put the wine in his Top 6 of the winning wines. 

  'Some Shiraz are all about the big shoulders and that set of impressive abs – not here though. This McLaren Vale beauty is all about high-toned fruit, red berries and a grapey tone that dances across the palate. It’s medium-weight, bright, fresh and slippery – a very modern Shiraz.' 

  The Battle of Bosworth 2010 Shiraz was runner up in the Consumer Judges Award, too!

  SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WINE OF THE YEAR AWARDS  The South Australian Wine of the Year Awards are presented annually to recognize the very best wines produced in South Australia. The awards are judged by an independent panel of the state’s leading wine judges, representing all winemaking regions in the state. The awards are unique in having a separate set of amateur consumer judges who taste a selection of the best wines first chosen by the professional judges from more than 1000 entries.

• Top 100 Wine – Advertiser 'Taste' Top 100 Wines

  Some Shiraz are all about big shoulders and that impressive set of abs. Not here, though. This McLaren Vale beauty is all about high-toned fruit, red berries and a grapey tone that dances across the palate. It's medium-weight, bright, fresh and slippery - this is a very midern Shiraz. 

  Food Match: Moroccan Lamb 

• Australian Wine Review by Andrew Graham www.ozwinereview.com April 2012

  The star here is undoubtedly the organically grown (since 1995), 100% estate grown Shiraz grapes at the core. To add complexity this includes a little cordon-cut, vine-dried Shiraz fruit too. Plenty of joy here from what is shaping to be a superb vintage for Vale reds.

  Dense blood red colour. Lovely choc moccha berry Vale richness on the nose but with the a certain restraint. Squished red berries with a hint of candied spice which I think comes from the cordon-cut fruit. Wonderfully generous palate is ripe and slippery but not sweet. Not hard to like a juicy, ripe, no-nonsense Vale Shiraz like this.

  17.5/91 www.ozwinereview.com  

• Patrick Haddock www.winingpom.com.au 6th March 2012

   

  Full disclosure here, I know the Bosworth’s, I even stayed with them in McLaren Vale but if I don’t like a wine I won’t write about it. That’s the way I roll. Thankfully Joch Bosworth makes the kind reds that I want to pour liberally down my throat.

  It’s great to see some of the results of the 2010 vintage in SA, it has to be said, the quality is there in spades. This has a lovely core of black fruits, mocha coffee, dark choc, and a little edge of salinity that I often find in McLaren Vale reds. It’s spicy and full of interest, willing you to dive in. The palate is like a warm and generous hug, the fruit expressive and layered, its got black cherry, licorice and a fair whack of spice that is enticing rather than overbearing and it lingers beautifully on the finish. A fine wine for the price and an excellent example of pure fruit, vineyard expression and minimal winemaking.

  Patrick Haddock 6th March 2012
  www.winingpom.com.au 

• The Winefront Campell Mattinson February 20th 2012

   

  Organically grown and jolly delicious.

  Bright flavours of plum and asphalt, various spices and earth. Has a real vigour to it. Good depth of flavour too, without being syrupy or heavy. It’s not wimpy but you can drink it. Has an earthy goodness about it too. Benefits from a quick slosh in the decanter. Excellent red wine. 

  Rated : 92 Points
  Drink : 2013 - 2019+

• Wine Will Eat Itself 2 The Main Course Jeremy Pringle www.winewilleatitself.com May 28th 2012

   

  The tenth vintage for Battle of Bosworth and thank the higher powers, it was a good one. In fact, if the previous few vintages were more like 2010 more people might still be enjoying McLaren Vale Shiraz. The region and variety has much to offer.

  Loads of vital berries, some plumper plum and richer, desiccated fruit notes. Licorice and earth chip in along with a little Vale mocha oak. It’s not a show off, not a show boat; this is tempered regional expression with an emphasis on drinkability over power and impression. Shapely and just over medium bodied. Great price. Yes please. 

  Very Good

• James Suckling from www.jamessuckling.com November 2011

  A wine with meat, spice and dark fruits on the nose, follow through to a full bodied palate, and soft silky tannins with a long finish. Polished and fascinating. Better in 2013.  93 points

• The Wine Advocate #198 December 2011

   

  The 2010 Shiraz spent 11 months in French and American oak, 30% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it displays tar and earth aromas to begin, giving way to notes of black cherry, blackberry and cassis over pepper, anise and tree bark. Medium to full-bodied, taut and crisp in the mouth with firm, grainy tannins, it has a long, savory / peppery finish. Drink it now through 2016+. 

  90 Points

  Lisa Perrotti-Brown

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