2021 Elderton Command Single Vineyard Shiraz

Since the inaugural 1984 vintage Elderton Command Shiraz has established a formidable international reputation. Planted in 1894 the Command vineyard is located on the southern edge of the Nuriootpa township and planted on deep alluvial silt over red and brown earth and limestone. The majority of the rows are orientated east-west (as opposed to the more common orientation of north-south). This enables cooling breezes from the Barossa Ranges to flow through the rows of vines rather than against them. Maturation takes place in a combination of new French and American oak puncheons for 24 months, the wine is then given a further 12 months bottle age before being released.

A Glorious expression of rich, voluptuous Barossa Shiraz from an exceptional vintage.

Magnificent dense, saturated colour featuring an impenetrable inky black heart along with an equally deep black dark red hue. Captivatingly potent aromas of dark plum, liquorice, dark chocolate and blackberry waft through the olfactory senses complimented by subtlety toasted vanillin oak, mocha, earthy fennel and spice notes. Seductively rich, expansive and voluptuous, a thick coating of dark plum, blackberry, liquorice and dark chocolate flavours are layered across the full bodied palate in luxurious fashion. Notions of vanillin oak, earthy mocha, fennel and spice extend through the back half. Ultra plush and silky it possesses cashmere like tannins and explosive power. The extremely long finish decadently draped in rich, velvety fruit.
Drink over the next 10-15 years.
Alc. 14.9%

Other Reviews....
I’m not sure I have seen a better example of Command in all the years I have been tasting it – which means every vintage. This is a product of the 2021 vintage which was outstanding. It’s a sort of big easy wine with an effortless almost casual palate extending long to the finish. Brilliant bright red fruits dominate with a healthy sprinkle of spices and of course a ladling of syrupy dark chocolate. Gets 24 months in new French and American oak puncheons and the power and concentrated intensity of the fruit ensures it never smacks of excessive oak. It is balanced on a fulcrum of power and finesse. Drink 2024-2044.
98 points
Ray Jordan - WinePilot.com

My first thought on tasting this wine was simply, wow, this might just be the very best Command Shiraz I can recall, since the first release from 1984 (and remember, their 1996 won Best Shiraz in the World at the London International Wine and Spirit Competition). If one were to arrange a collection of the elite Barossa Shiraz, the prestige releases, this would sit with the finest and I suspect might well be the best value among them, bar none. A single vineyard site, the vines are now an extraordinary 127 years of age. The wine spends two years in a mix of new French and American oak puncheons. An opaque purple hue, the nose is ripe, rich and concentrated. Stunning aromas, we have mocha, coffee beans, cassis, florals, blackberries, and just dripping with molten dark chocolate. Plush, absolutely saturated, and so finely balanced, this is seamless with great length and such silky tannins. The oak is certainly evident, but it is impeccably handled. This is essence of Barossa Shiraz and will give pleasure for twenty years. What a brilliant wine. Drink 2024-2044.
98 points
Ken Gargett - WinePilot.com