Grant Burge 5th Generation Range

Grant Burge 5th Generation range

A brand new range for Grant Burge, whom have seem to have a whole cavalcade of ranges these days. This new 5th Generation label is something of a homage to the Burge family, whom have now been in the region for 5 generations. Quite an innings when you think about it. All of these wines are priced at $18.95 RRP, though I’d wager you could pick them up for considerably less on special.

Grant Burge 5th Generation Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (Barossa, SA)
13.5%, Screwcap, $18.95

I’ve got little enthusiasm for Barossan Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends, purely because of how ill-suited this varietal combo is for the region. This wine fits that bill, appearing to be driven by commercial decisions than pure wine quality.

Direct and more than a little broad, this has a sherbety, lemon citrus nose that smells of ripe fruit and little varietal character. Ripe and fleshy palate is all honeydew fruit and a little residual sweetness. Simple and a fraction dull, this looks like it could have come from anywhere, not the Barossa. 14.5/82

Grant Burge 5th Generation Pinot Gris 2012 (Barossa, SA)
13.5%, Screwcap, $18.95

What an unusual circumstance when I’m calling a Pinot Gris as one of the highlights of a South Australian wine range. Schubert would be spinning in his grave. Anyways, this works purely because it shows varietal texture and weight, both of which I like seeing in Pinot Gris. Alsace it ain’t, but at least the intent is there.

Again a quite broad and generous style, this time more about lightly sweaty pear juice nose in a quite ripe vein. It tastes quite broad too, again bolstered with sweetness though with more persistence and fullness, though finish is a bit harsh. Pretty solid and much sharper than the dull SSB, though still a somewhat simple wine. 16.3/87

Grant Burge 5th Generation Shiraz 2010 (Barossa, SA)
14%, Screwcap, $18.95

The easy standout of this new range, this shows plenty of the joy of Barossan Shiraz.

It smells of sweet coconut/choc American oak, with raised sweet red cherry fruit over the top. That sweet oak gives depth to the mid weight and smooth palate, the finish a fraction raw but on the money again finishing raw and with lumpy acidity. A by-the-numbers Barossa Shiraz perhaps but delivering exactly what it should. 16.7/89

Grant Burge 5th Generation Cabernet Merlot (Barossa, SA)
14%, Screwcap, $18.95

I’m always surprised to see leafiness in Barossan reds, if purely because it is perceived as such a dry and warm climate. Dig a little deeper and the Barossa isn’t as warm as you think, even falling into ‘cool’ according to some climatic scales. Regardless, there is no reason for more than token varietal leafiness in Barossan reds (if you’re canopy/vigour management is up to scratch).

In this instance that leafiness gives definition to what is a blackberry soaked sort of wine, the rich and round palate defined by its leafy edges. I’d like to see more suppleness and less dull RS through the finish, though again commercially attractive. A nice enough wine though a little disjointed for big love (I tried all of these wines with and without food. This looked much better with steak, though also appearing more sweet through the finish). 16.2/87