The Barossa Valley's Elderton Wines will release its 2020 Command Shiraz and 2021 Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon from the winery's historic old vines, on September 1.
The Elderton icons are produced from the family’s original vineyard – Nuriootpa – which was planted in 1894 to shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.
In its 129 years, the Command block, and its gnarly vines, has been dubbed an ancestor vineyard by the Barossa Old Vine Charter. The 2020 Command Shiraz is made with 100 per cent estate-grown fruit – producing a wine that is rich, bold and structured.
Elderton is led by managing directors Allister and Cameron Ashmead, and the winemaking team is headed up by Julie Ashmead. "Our Command from 2020 is a wine to savour. While we could say that about every Command, in 2020 we had a tiny harvest after tricky weather at flowering. With such small volumes, the 2020 Command is a story about intense concentration and depth of flavour,” says Julie.
The Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a tiny parcel of quality cabernet that was planted in the 1940s. The cabernet sauvignon block was almost destroyed in 1997 due to its low yields – but persistence has led to the 21st release of the Ashmead.
“At the core of this wine is a remarkable old vine storyline. We hope it continues to be appreciated and supported, and continues to inspire everyone at Elderton to do everything possible to ensure the vines survive through every obstacle thrown their way – a long way into the future,” says Allister Ashmead.
Below are the new reviews from Tasting Team member Dave Brookes:
2020 Elderton Wines Command Shiraz
Elderton's iconic Command Shiraz is sourced from an 1894-planted block of ancestor vines on its Nuriootpa estate; matured for an extended period in new French and American oak puncheons. Full bodied, rich and commanding, as the name suggests, with thick-shouldered blackberry and plum fruits cut with baking spices, licorice, dark chocolate, earth and punchy cedar tones. Weighty and opulent with thick, gypsum-like tannin support, plenty of Barossa horsepower and a finish that trails off persistently with flavours of ripe berries, spice and cedar. 96 points, Dave Brookes.RRP $140 | Find out more
2021 Elderton Wines Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate-grown cabernet sauvignon from Elderton's 79-year-old vineyards in Nuriootpa; matured for 18 months in French oak puncheons and hogsheads. Deep crimson in colour with nary a whiff of herbaceousness, just a solid wave of blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry fruit cut with baking spices, licorice, cassis, earth and cedar. Full-bodied with an impressive balance of fruit power and grace, finishing long and black-fruited with abundant spice and charm. 95 points, Dave Brookes.RRP $120 | Find out more
The single-vineyard wines are available from Saturday September 1, 2023 from eldertonwines.com.au.
