Rusden Sandscrub Shiraz 2012 is a premium wine from Rusden Wines, a family-run estate in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. Founded in the late 1970s by Christine and Dennis Canute, Rusden is renowned for its small-batch, handcrafted wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Barossa. Today, the estate is managed by their son, Christian Canute, who continues the family’s dedication to low-intervention winemaking and sustainable viticulture, ensuring each wine expresses the character of the vineyard.
The Barossa Valley is one of the world’s premier Shiraz-producing regions, known for its warm climate and ancient, sandy soils. Rusden’s vineyards are planted on sandy loam soils, which contribute to the wine’s distinctive mineral edge and refined tannin structure. The region’s long, hot summers allow the grapes to achieve full ripeness, while cooling evening breezes help preserve the wine’s balance and freshness.
The 2012 Sandscrub Shiraz is a rich and powerful expression of Barossa Shiraz. It offers intense aromas of blackberry, plum, and dark chocolate, with layers of spice, eucalyptus, and a touch of earthy minerality. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and robust, with silky tannins and concentrated dark fruit flavors, supported by hints of black pepper and oak. Aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, the wine gains complexity and depth, with a long, velvety finish. The 2012 vintage, from a near-perfect growing season, is drinking beautifully now but also has the structure to age gracefully for years to come.
