Winter, a perfect time for Jacob's Creek wine memories

Wine is all about creating those special memories. For me, one special, winter time memory happened, just six months ago at Jacob's Creek, Barossa Valley. Jacob's Creek was on my must visit wineries list. Even though it was approaching the June Solstice (Winter Solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere, we returned to the Barossa Valley. I so wanted to return, just one more time, before leaving Australia. This time I made sure that we visited Jacob’s Creek. My desire to visit was tempted, by the wide range of Jacob's Creek wines that I had tasted during our Australian travels.

Winter Time, Jacob's Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Winter Vineyards at Jacob's Creek © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Barossa Valley © Spaswinefood

Our earlier Torrens Valley Scenic Drive, from Adelaide to the Barossa Valley, a few months ago, was still fresh in my mind. I remembered stopping in Birdwood, to admire the autumn colors along main street. Later, after a delightful lunch in Angaston we travelled onto Nuriootpa, which we used as a base for exploring this amazing wine region. International critics regard Barossa, as Australia’s best-known wine region. Barossa is ranked with Bordeaux, Napa, and Tuscany. Despite its fame Barossa still remains a friendly wine region to visit. We certainly found this to be the case during both of our visits.

Distances to International Cities from Jacob's Creek © Spaswinefood

Barossa’s wines range from robust Shiraz to delicate Rieslings. While Barossa’s Shiraz and Eden Valley's Riesling are the wine stars, its Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro, Grenache, Viognier, Semillon and tawny wines, which also contribute to making this an outstanding wine region. During our Jacob's Creek visit it was the Shiraz (Syrah) that clearly stood out amongst the wines we tasted. Let us take a brief look at Jacob’s Creek wines.

Jacob’s Creek Wines

While at Jacob’s Creek we tasted a wide variety of their wines. Here are a few photo highlights from our tasting:

1. Reserve and Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Jacob's Creek, Reserve & Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 © Spaswinefood

2. Reserve and Double Barrel Shiraz 2013

Jacob's Creek Reserve & Double Barrel Shiraz 2013 © Spaswinefood

3. Johann Shiraz/Cabernet 2013; Jacob's Creek Johann/Cabernet 2005  

Jacob's Creek/Johann Shiraz/Cabernet 2013 & 2005 © Spaswinefood

Yes, Jacob's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon wines were good. However, it was the Shiraz that stood out. These top Jacob's Creek wines were indeed excellent. Amongst the other wines I tasted that caught my attention were:

4. Semillon Limited Release 2012 

Jacob's Creek, Semillon 2012 © Spaswinefood

5. Garciano Limited Release 2013

Jacob's Creek, Graciano 2013 © Spaswinefood

6. St  Hugo GSM (Grenache, Shiraz & Mataro) 2012

Jacob's Creek, St  Hugo GSM (Grenache, Shiraz & Mataro) 2012 © Spaswinefood

Two of the wines were limited productions. Let me know forget the GSM (Grenache, Shiraz & Mataro). Barossa Valley is known for producing great GSM's. This Jacob's Creek GSM certainly lived up to that reputation.

More on Jacob's Creek Wines 
Jacob's Creek offers an impressive list of wines. Let's start first with the sparkling wines.

Jacob's Creek, Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée  © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Prosecco © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Sparkling Moscato © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Reserve Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2013 © Spaswinefood

The following white wines are amongst those available for tasting:

Jacob's Creek, Pinot Grigio 2013 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Classic Riesling 2013 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Reserve Riesling 2013 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Steingarten Riesling, Eden Valley 2012 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills 2013 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Sauvignon Blanc Cuvée © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Classic Semillion Chardonnay 2012 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Chardonnay 2013 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Reserve Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills 2013 © Spaswinefood

One of the rosé wines available for tasting. 

Jacob's Creek, Shiraz Rosé 2012 © Spaswinefood

The following red wines are amongst those available for tasting: 

Jacob's Creek, Grenache Shiraz 2013 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Classic Shiraz 2013 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Reserve Shiraz 2011 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Shiraz Cabernet 2012 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra 2012 © Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek, Reserve Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills 2013 © Spaswinefood

Clearly, Jacob's Creek produces many quality wines. After a delightful wine tasting it was lunchtime. Jacob's Creek restaurant was completely booked for an event that day. We asked for recommendations. We decided on Lou Miranda Estate, Rowland Flat. It was indeed a great choice.

Winter, Jacob's Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Six Months Later
One winter's day, six months later in the Silicon Valley, seeing Jacob's Creek, Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée wine on the wine list, triggered memories. It triggered memories of our winter visit to Jacob's Creek.

Jacob's Creek Wines: Six Months Later © Spaswinefood

Yes, wine is all about creating/re-creating those special memories. 

To/from the Barossa Valley

Barossa Valley is located an hour’s drive from Adelaide. It is easily accessible by car, bus and train. Adelaide, South Australia is served by domestic and international flights. Barossa Valley also makes a perfect base for exploring the nearby wine regions: Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and Murray River.

There is so much to do and see in South Australia's Barossa Valley. Once introduced to Barossa Valley wines you will want to know more about these wines. Just in case you can not make to Barossa Valley Jacob's Creek wines are widely available throughout the US. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. 

Sharon

June 2015

Tanunda, Barossa Valley
South Australia

© Spaswinefood

Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre, Barossa Valley © Spaswinefood

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