In 1975, Ken Semmler replanted the St Jakobi vineyard block owned by Oscar Semmler (Ken’s father and Wayne Dutschke’s grandfather). In 1990, after 10 years experience with major wine companies & 6 as a flying Winemaker, Wayne Dutschke returned to produce both a Chardonnay, & a red blend under the brand WillowBend. In 1995, just for fun, a 100% Shiraz was produced instead, scoring 5stars in "Winestate" magazine & finding a place in the taste off for the 1997 "Winestate Shiraz of the Year". This led the family to "rev up" production in 1998, rename the brand "Dutschke" & introduce St. Jakobi & Oscar Semmler Shiraz's. Dutschke Wines are now highly regarded & much sought after classic Barossa Reds, although production has remained small and there are no plans to be a large producer. Still today most of the grapes each vintage leave the farm gate & find their way into other Barossa winemaker's wines.
2010 James Halliday Wine Companion
5 Star Winery (4th consecutive year)
2007 Willow Bend
91 Points – Nick Stock, Wine 100, June 2009
89 Points – James Halliday, 2010
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2006 GHR Shiraz
92 Points – James Halliday, 2009
92 Points – WBM 100, June 2008
90 Points – Wine Advocate, Feb 2009
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2006 Sami Cabernet Sauvignon
93 Points – Tyson Stelzer, WBM 100,June 2008
92 Points – James Halliday 2009
91 Points – Wine Advocate, Feb 2009
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2006 St Jakobi Shiraz
94 Points – Tyson Stelzer, WBM 100,June 2008
94 Points – James Halliday, 2009
91 Points – Wine Advocate, Feb 2009
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2005 Oscar Semmler Shiraz
94 Points – James Halliday 2009
94 Points – Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2007
93 Points – Robert Parker Jr, The Wine Advocate, 2008
92 Points – Campbell Mattison
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2006 Single Barrel Shiraz
93 Points – James Halliday 2010
94 Points – Wine Advocate, Feb 2009
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2006 Oscar Semmler Shiraz
96 Points – James Halliday 2010
“Demonstrates the Barossa Valley's capacity to produce shiraz with enormous depth & length without dead fruit; just mouthwatering, velvety shiraz flavours, tannins & oak in the chorus.”
93 Points – Wine Advocate, Feb 2009
“The purple/black 2006 Oscar Semmler Shiraz is a blend of the finest parcels from the St. Jakobi vineyard & was barrel-fermented & aged in French oak for 22 months. It offers up a full-throttle perfume of pain grille, pencil lead, truffle, espresso, wild blueberry, & blackberry. Plush on the palate, ripe & surprisingly forward, this succulent Shiraz has the balance to blossom for another 4-6 years. Drink it from 2013 to 2026.”
93 Points – WBM 100, Jun 2009
“Dutschke's barrel-selected flagship is a massive wine, swirling with black plum, prune & spice concentration. Firm, fine tannins support this maelstrom, while dark chocolate oak adds complexity.”
Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines
“Wayne Dutschke’s famous shiraz is a fraction of the price of some of the Barossa big guns, but it in no way holds back in any department of perfume or concentration. In fact, texturally, this wine is succulent, luxurious & brocaded without ever being gaudy. & none of this excitement is reliant on oak, because it is all thanks to his phenomenal fruit.”
Gourment Traveller Wine - Star Turns - Aug/Sep 2008 - Comments by Nick Bulleid MW, Andrew Caillard MW, Peter Forrestal
“… Calliard was an enthusiastic supporter: “Liquorice, blackberry pastille & malt aromas, very fresh & bright. A beautifully balanced wine that is perfectly ripe, with underlying savoury, malty oak. Finishes firm, long & sweet. Top-notch, almost Grange-like.” “Yes but not as elegant,” Bulleid replied. For Forrestal, it was more elegant than many wines in the bracket. “Spicy & juicy,” he said, “vibrant, with good depth & balance.””
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