A Wine for Tonight: 2006 Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz



By Kori ~ November 26th, 2009.

2006 Peter Lehmann Barossa ShirazWould you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2006 Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz from the famed Barossa Valley of Australia.

Our selection criteria include:

  • A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
  • A price tag of <=$15
  • Must be widely available

Peter Lehmann has been one of our all-time favorite wines (a consistent high Quality, high QPR wine), so today being Dad’s (John’s) birthday as well as Thanksgiving, I couldn’t think of a more fitting recommendation to celebrate and thank both Dad and Peter Lehmann.

Peter Lehmann has become affectionately known as the “Baron of the Barossa.” Prior to founding Peter Lehmann Wines, he was winemaker and general manager for another winery. With an overproduction of grapes in the late 1970s, the winery he worked for asked him to go back on his word to some of the local growers from whom he had promised to purchase grapes. A man of integrity, Peter Lehmann would not do it. Instead, he put together some financial partners and purchased the grapes himself.

His actions saved many of the grape growers from financial ruin and earned Peter Lehmann tremendous respect in the community. Ultimately, he went completely out on his own and found investment partners to form Peter Lehmann Wines. While it was initially founded to produce wine from purchased grapes, today Peter Lehmann Wines owns some of its own vineyards as well as continues to support numerous local growers.

We fell in love with Australia and Australian wines when we visited in the spring of 2005 and were especially taken with the Barossa Valley. While the Barossa Valley is quite versatile in the number and quality of wines it can successfully produce, it is best known for Shiraz. Our favorite wine of our Australian trip was the 2002 Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz, which we rated 5 stars (out of 5). Since then we have given the 2005 vintage a Quality rating of 4.5 stars (out of 5). The current vintage is the 2006, and it is another good one. I encourage you to pick up a bottle any time you can find one at your local wine shop.

2006 Peter Lehmann Barossa Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia): Deep, dark red. Gorgeous nose with aromas of cocoa, coffee, black plums, and licorice. Black fruits, mocha, and licorice come through on the palate. Full-bodied with high tannins and lively acidity. Well-balanced and smooth with a long, lingering finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: K&L Wine merchants, $12.99; Widely available elsewhere, $12 to $22

Happy Thanksgiving!


Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, Australian Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Red Wine, Shiraz/Syrah, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25

Reader's Comments

  1. @nectarwine | November 28th, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    I have never had this wine and am looking for staples in the stable. I’m am growing wearisome of Shiraz/Syrah, but I think I’ll look for this one!]

    Josh

  2. Kori | December 2nd, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Josh,
    This wine is definitely a staple in our cellar. Hope you enjoy it!