2021 Head The Contrarian Shiraz

Highly Rated
The black sheep of the Head Wines family. A spicy, European-influenced take of Barossa Shiraz.

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Description

The Contrarian Shiraz is a chance for Alex Head to spread his wings and explore his home region in South Australia, and this is one of the best releases of this wine to date.

Offering excellent value for both the intermediate and serious collector, The Contrarian can be enjoyed now or in a decade plus.

It's a spicier, more 'European' style of Shiraz from Alex, and one that's garnered quite a cult-following over the years. The influence of whole bunch ferment making itself known in the structure and savouriness of the wine. Top buying here for any Barossa Shiraz fan.

Each vintage I like to express the Barossa in a contrary manner. ‘The Contrarian' is my indulgent, creative winemaking outlet and challenges traditional concepts around Barossan Shiraz. We source Shiraz from vineyards in the Eden Valley which develop flavour at lower than usual alcohols and show ripeness in their stems too. We love what we see in this expression of the Barossa and feel it is a style worthy of your table.

Region: Barossa Valley, SA
Blend: Shiraz (100%)
ABV: 14.20%
Closure: 750ml
Bottle Size:
Production:

94 Points - "Perfumed, dark red fruits, spice, a smattering of sage and mint. Medium-bodied, supple and juicy, a subtle blood orange flavour in the mix, fresh and lively, with a bright crushed berry aftertaste, and fine sooty tannin grip. Lovely. All just so." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

95 Points - "This is an intense and heirloom-style shiraz with blackberry, black mushroom, spice, bark, and a dark earth character. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a tight, focused finish. Mushroom skin and fruit, yet a subdued ending. Give it time to open. Drink after 2024 for it to soften" - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points - "Deep, bright red-purple hue, the bouquet reserved and earthy/pepper/spicy, the wine is intense in the middle-palate, lively and energetic with good acidity and tight focus. Very smart wine in a leaner and more elegant Barossa style." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

Head Wines

Alex Head has had what you might call a meteoric rise through the Australian wine industry. In his short career as a producer he has been heralded as one of the best Young Gun Winemakers, not only in the Barossa but the whole country.

With no formal training as a winemaker, the purity and balance inherent in the wines are amazing.

Alex has a passion for the old vineyards that populate the Barossa. With a keen eye for a good site, Alex has put together a formidable portfolio of vineyards which produce simply outstanding renditions of Shiraz and Grenache year-in, year-out. These are some of the most exciting wines in the Barossa.

Alex in the vines Barossa Valley, SA Head Wines

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Delivery is free on orders of $150 or more!

For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.

We will dispatch your order the same or next business day.

Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.

Sydney (Our Vans): If no one is home and there are no special delivery instructions our driver will try to call for instructions. If the driver believes there is a safe space to leave your wine they will do so if not, they will return the item to us and hold your order until further instruction from you. 

Melbourne (Anonymous Wine Freight): If no one is home and there are no special delivery instructions, the courier will try to call for instructions. If the driver believes there is a safe space to leave your wine they will do so. if not, they will return the item to their dispatch centre and hold until further instruction from you.

Australia Post: Australia Post will leave the parcel if they have been given authority to leave and it is deemed safe to do so. To give your Authority to Leave, please enter this in the 'SPECIAL REQUEST' box at checkout.

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