Soul Growers Wines
Barry Weinman: 22nd February 2022
If I had to use one word to describe the team at Soul Growers, it would be passionate. The enthusiasm, dedication and attention to detail is evident in everything that they do.
I had the pleasure of spending some time with Stuart Bourne recently and could not help but be caught up in the story. A couple of mates with a passion for wine and a dream of their own winery, growers with mature vineyards spread across the Barossa Valley and some marketing spin have resulted in wines that are full of personality.
Further up the range, things get very serious, but the soul of the operation is most evident in the Equilibrium GSM. Generous fruit and supple winemaking collide in a wine that is delicious and fun.
Reviewed
Soul Growers – Slow Grown – Shiraz – 2019. Super high quality ripe fruit that is opulent and seductive, without being over blown. The aromatic, chocolatey fruit is complemented by spicy vanillin oak that adds to the package and aids ageability. The palate is bright, intense and powerful, yet open and rounded enough to be seriously good drinking. Would be great with grilled meats now, but this is also worthy of medium-term aging. Very smart wine for those that like a big Barossa Shiraz. 95pts – $60
Soul Growers – Equilibrium – GSM – 2021. This is just so smashable. Plump, ripe and succulent, the Grenache contributing to a fruit forward, easy drinking style that ticks all the boxes. This is bright and juicy, with cherry, plum and cranberry to the fore. No need to wait. Just open and pour this deliciously fun wine. 93pts – $35.
Soul Growers – Provident – Shiraz – 2020. Yes, there are hints of oak here, but this is more about the focussed, pristine fruit that takes on cooler character in 2020. Cherry, mulberry and plum all express with spice and pepper in the background. The refreshing acidity provides excellent palate shape to the fruit. At this early stage, the wine is not overly complex, but a few years in the cellar will see this flesh out. 92pts – $35