Battle of Bosworth Shiraz is typical McLaren Vale with dark fruit, fresh meat and milk chocolate that can be found on the nose as well as hints of marshmallow weed and spice if you look carefully. The nose segues subtly into the long, balanced, persistent palate.
Battle of Bosworth was established in 2001 by Joch Bosworth and Louise Hemsley-Smith. The wines take their name from the original Battle of Bosworth, fought on Bosworth Field, Leicestershire, England in 1485. The roots of the Bosworth family’s battle were planted in the early 1850’s with their first vineyard in McLaren Vale. The modern day Battle of Bosworth saw the conversion of ‘Edgehill’ vineyard to organic viticulture by Joch Bosworth in 1995.
Joch and Louise have been growing their grapes organically for 21 years this year. Joch’s vision saw him convert 24 acres of vines to organic viticulture in 1995. In 1999 they gained their organic certification from ACO P/L (Australian Certified Organic). This process represented a big leap of faith in many regards, not least because in those days ‘organic’ was not the buzz word it is today. Their vineyards were the first in McLaren Vale to achieve organic certification, too, and they were the very first winery tore lease an organic wine. Hats off, Joch.
“Excellent value in these bones, offering a whiff of the complexity of the single vineyard offerings sans the depth, length and overall complexity. Yet to compare is effete given just how delicious this is across lilac, bing cherry and anise. Fresh with not a hard edge, a grate of tannin… just free-flow warmth of region and variety.”
Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion ’20
Shane –
Really fine organic wine at a great price. I believe the 2016 is probably Joch’s best yet. No longer in my view the poorer cousin of the BoB Cabernet Sauvignon. Has opulence with a lovely nose and lengthy palate. My rating would be a 94