Elderton Command Single Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2014

100% Shiraz

30 months in American and French oak

Langton’s Classification – Excellent

Elderton is an Australian family-owned producer based in the Barossa Valley of South Australia. It is best known for its old-vine Shiraz red wines, led by the Command cuvée. However, it first came to prominence after winning a major Australian wine award in 1993 for its Cabernet Sauvignon.

The core family estate is located in Nuriootpa, and has 29 hectares (72 acres) under vine. It was purchased in 1979 in a run-down condition by the Ashmead family, who were offered the surrounding vineyards for free if they bought the homestead. The vineyards included some old plots dating back to original planting of 1894, and the Ashmeads embarked on a period of restoration. The first wines under the Elderton label were produced in 1982.

Sourced from 120-year-old vines, this is a ripe, jammy wine that swims with notes of stewed plums, strawberry crumble and vanilla. The plump, cooked fruit continues onto the palate. There’s enough acidity to keep it out of syrup territory but it nevertheless feels a little soupy and doesn’t appear to be holding up particularly well with time in bottle.

CellarTracker 92
Robert Parker 96