1997 Elderton Command Shiraz

Shiraz and the Barossa Valley, have become synonymous with Great Australian red wine, and produced a style that is recognized throughout the world for its fullness of flavour and ability to cellar for decades. Today, approximately 1316 ha are planted to Shiraz in the Barossa Valley (that’s 3290 acres in the old language) equivalent to 47% of the total plantings. Yet, one asks the question, how is it that Shiraz and the Barossa have achieved this important status?Shiraz was ideally suited to the rich deep soils of the Barossa Valley. The warm, almost arid climate with winter rain and low summer rains meant relatively low humidity, providing the Shiraz vines the ‘terroir’ to thrive.A young 35 year old winemaker, called Max Schubert saw the potential of Shiraz wine, after his visit to Bordeaux in 1950, and his experiments with new oak, and different winemaking techniques which he picked up in Bordeaux, saw the evolution of one of the great marriages of terrior, fruit and winemaking. This ‘menage de trois,’ was to revolutionize the way Australia and more importantly the world considered our winemaking. In relative terms, Elderton is a new comer to the Barossa. The Ashmeads did not have German or a farming background, but purchased an old vine vineyard on the banks of the North Para River in 1979. The first Elderton Command Shiraz was created in 1984, and is still drinking well today. Old, low yielding vines, minimal irrigation, or better still no irrigation, American oak and Shiraz, appear to be Barossa Valleys formula for great success.

These rare wines have become highly prized by wine lovers and collectors, who have been quick to recognize their real value. The 1997 Elderton Command Shiraz may appear to be expensive at first glance, but when compared with its peers on an International basis, it is a bargain.

OLD VINES BAROSSA SHIRAZ ARE INTERNATIONAL WINE TREASURES THAT THE WORLD CAN’T BUY ENOUGH OF!

Tasting Notes: A magnificent, highly concentrated, powerful Barossa Shiraz. Wonderful voluptuous ripe fruit – that has become so eagerly sought after by wine lovers globally. Totally opaque crimson colour. Superb, perfumed nose with aromas of vanilla, spice, ripe blood plum, dark chocolate and spice. Totally concentrated palate – mouthfilling and lasts for literally 5 minutes into the aftertaste. Flavours of vanilla, toasted oak, ripe plums, confectionery and dark chocolate are followed by sweet liquorice all sorts back palate. All that one could ever ask for from Shiraz is to be found. Perfect balance, and a brilliant follow up to the 1996 Command, which was awarded the status of Worlds Best Shiraz in 2000. Cellar 4-5 years.

RATING: 96/100

VALUE: XXXXX/5