The Auswine Forum

At a recent tasting I tried a few wines from Alex Head (Head).
I was very impressed.

In particular was one called Head Red. For around $20 to $25 it offered good value and an excellent quaffing wine.
Lots of fruit, soft tannins, medium length finish and it was very well balanced.

I also had "The Blonde", "The Brunette" and "The Redhead".
The Blonde has a touch viognier in it and was my favourite of the three.

Wondering if anyone else has tried them.

I am a fan, don't drink much from the Barossa these days but when I do, Head wines are likely to be the choice. They tend to have better acid balance and restraint on extraction and alcohol than many other producers from the region, very classy and good value.

Alex is also a scholar and a gentleman, gave us a great breakdown of Barossa subregions, soil types, etc. when we visited two years ago.

Yep, my only regular Barossa purchase nowadays. Contrarian often seems to be the best balance of quality/cost for me...but I don't think I have been disappointed by any wine yet.

According to TWF, the 2015 Blonde is 100% Shiraz. Although Alex's website does say "sometimes" between 2-5% Viogner. Personally I prefer it without but he does balance the wines extremely well. The Head Red is right up there in the VFM stakes when you consider it is declassified barrels of his Shiraz wines. Drinks well young but should be much better with 5 years in the cellar. I might try a 08 Blonde tonight out of curiosity.

I think his Old Vine Grenache is one of the better examples of this grape as well.

Cheers
Ian

Been buying (on and off) since the 09 vintage and never had a dud. The Head Red Shiraz and GSM are excellent VFM. Yes to the Contrarian recommendations.

And a nice bloke to boot.

Cheers

Michael

Alex makes super wines. I have been buying since 2009. I find as they age, they get a little kerosene characteristic that dulls down the fruit somewhat. A chemist by degree, he has the midas touch + as others have touched on, a great bloke who spends the time with the people who love his wines.

Andrew Graham, of ozwinereview, has just put up his tasting notes on the 2015 Shiraz. He likey likey.

Cheers, Travis.

Thank you to the OP. This prompted me to try the 2013s which I had simply tucked away. The 2013 Head Red Shiraz and Head Red GSM were both excellent. I would serve them to any of my more wine knowledgeable friends any day as they are full of interest and character. Brilliant QPR. Pleased I have another 5 of each to see how they improve with age which in my humble opinion will be for at least a decade.

Cheers

Michael