2002 Elderton Barossa Shiraz

Tasted 2/02/2004: Elderton are one of the top exponents of voluptuous Barossa Shiraz. The wines are beautifully integrated fruit bombs with a flavour profile that is immediately recognisable. Unlike many of todays vineyards, the vine rows at Elderton are planted in an East-West orientation. In a cool climate area this would create difficulty in ripening fruit, however in the parching Barossa sun, it is the cooling effect of breezes originating from the Barossa Ranges that is sought. The winds also assist with disease control and prevent excessive vine vigour. Produced from 40 year old vines, the wine has been matured for 12-18 months in French oak and American oak puncheons.
'An Outstanding Barossa Shiraz from a Great Vintage.'
Totally opaque, saturated black purple colour. The palate flavours are a concentrate. Flavours of plum, mocca, liquorice, vanilla and spice explode on the palate and is well meshed with the oak. The voluptuous Barossa flavours fill every crevasse of the mouth. Blackberry, dark chocolate and black pepper are enhanced by velvet smooth tannins and followed by a very long aftertaste of blackberry, mocca and dark chocolate.
Cellar 4-5 years
Alc/Vol: 15.0% 
98 points