The Talented Mr. Ringland

Steve Woodward in Chicago

We tasted an incredible array of world-class Australian Shiraz and various blends on a very windy Thursday at The Grateful Palate’s portfolio event on the top floor of Hotel 71. One of the Aussie ladies in the crowded room (offering stunning views of Chicago’s skylines) suggested a fellow wine connoisseur check on his outbound flight. Cancellations were mounting, she advised, due to “an impending tornado.”

A bit of an overstatement, we are happy to report. But there is no risk of overtstatement in suggesting that the subtle tornado in the room this day, winemaker Chris Ringland (right), is well beyond “impending”. He has harnessed a powerful vortex of Cabernet and Shiraz excellence that finds Ringland elevated to cult status in and outside of Australia.  Recent vintages of his flagship Shiraz have left in their wake a path of wine critics fallen to their knees in awe. And as jaws have been dropping, prices have been rising. In other words, Ringland is a cult label.

Sadly, his 2001 Chris Ringland (formerly Three Rivers) Barossa Valley Shiraz (approximate retail will be $700/bottle), another entrant onto Robert Parker’s exclusive 100-point list, was not available for tasting. “We poured it all last night,” said Ringland, referring to a private dinner party he attended. “It is still being bottled. We had barrel samples here.” 

According to the web site operated by Langston’s, a leading Australia auction house, Ringland/Three Rivers Shiraz is the “Screaming Eagle” of Australian premium wine. The 1996 and 1998 vintages also earned Parker 100s. Ringland has gained still more renown for his consulting work with Spanish wines, namely a lush Grenache for the Alto Moncayo winery in Campo de Borja, and with Bodegas El Nido’s Cabernet-dominated blend (Jumilla). The 2004 El Nido ‘El Nido’ garnered 99 points; the ‘03 Alto Moncayo 93 points.

There were many other gems to taste at the Ringland table in Chicago, too. A likely star will be Ringland’s 3 Rings Reserve Shiraz (2004), yet unrated. The wine is sourced, he explained, from “a very old individual vineyard” and matured in barrels for three years. It is the first “reserve” designatiion for a 3 Rings release. We found it balanced, both juicy and robust.  Another to grab if it appears on-radar is the micro-production F.U. 2005 Shiraz. “It means ‘fed up’,” Ringland advises, wearing an impish smile. Only 200 cases were made. He said it will retail for about $300/bottle.