2004 Journeys End Vineyards Museum Release Ascent Shiraz

Australia, it has been said, is the best place in the world to grow grapes.

Vintages in recent years, can only be described in superlatives, with all vintages being great, whilst some are destined to be rated excep tional. Australia is not alone with its vintage success, Bordeaux is boasting that 2005 will be its greatest vintage. So what is the cause of this spectacular run of vintages, and can they last? The answer lies with the world's dependence on fossil fuels and the consequential green house effect that is causing Global Warming. Global temperatures have been rising one third of a degree every 10 years which would result in an increase of 3°C in the next 100 years. This is a much faster rate of temperature increase than has oc curred over the last 10,000 years. The rising temperatures effect everything on the planet, which are evidenced by the dramatic twist in global weather patterns that have become a feature of the 7 o’clock news. Climatic surveys by viticultural scientists of the world's 27 major wine growing regions have observed a 2°C increase of temperature over the last 50 years. This increase in temperature has, for the short term, played a significant role in the dramatic improvement of vintages. Whilst this is great news for the wine lover, the long term consequences will be the increasing volume of ordinary wine. As temperatures rise and the growing seasons get shorter, the complex flavour profiles of the grapes fail to develop. Warm viticul tural areas like the Hunter Valley will become hot, resulting in wines of lower acidity, higher PH and less flavour. Harvest dates will have to be brought forward and new corrective winemaking techniques de veloped. Water requirements will increase and the need to develop new drought and heat resistant clones will become urgent. Scientists are divided as to whether Global Warming can be stopped altogether, or just slowed down, with some doomsdayers, arguing it is too late already. If they're right, then a good, cool cellar with a big collection of wines from great vintages will become essential. McLaren Vale experienced cool ripening conditions in 2004, which prolonged the vintage and resulted in grapes with exceptional flavour profiles being harvested. Good Winter and Spring rains produced even budburst and as well as sufficient soil moisture levels to maintain a healthy canopy throughout the ripening period. McLaren Vale experienced its coolest January in 12 years, followed by above average temperatures in February 2004 with dry harvest conditions prevailing. Two exceptionally hot days in February produced minor shrivelling of the grapes and some sunburn, which was minimal due to the excellent leafy canopies shielding the grapes from the hot sun. The 2004 Journeys End Ascent Shiraz is the second wine of the Shiraz trio. The universal truth is that great wine is made in the vineyard, and this is so with the Ascent. A number of terroirs are selected which have a consistent history of producing outstanding fruit. Added to this is the use of vines from a variety of clones, including SA 1654 (a clone which delivers stewed fruit and sour cherry flavours) and SA 262 (a clone that appears to have more tannic structure as well as a peppery back palate). Ben Riggs uses a variety of picking dates which further add to his vocabulary of flavours. Incorporating various fermentation techniques and oak regimens creates another layer of complexity. The final result is made by very careful bar rel selection, resulting in a wine of great depth and concentration. Retasted 17/11/2009:Opaque black red colour with deep crimson brick red hue. The nose presents an appealing sniff and displays good complexity with aromas of dark plum, blackberry, liquorice allsorts and mocha with some hints of vanillin oak and leather appearing as end notes. The palate displays an opulent, almost liquid silk like, texture with flavours of dark plum, liquorice allsorts, blackberry and confectionary followed by some spice, blackpepper and leather notes on the back palate. Excellent length. Velvet smooth tannins with long aftertaste of spice, liquorice allsorts and blackpepper. An impressive example of McLaren Vale Shiraz drinking superbly now but is also capable of further cellaring.
Drink now or cellar 2 - 3 years (2009-2012)
14.5% Alc
96 Points First Tasted 15/05/2006:The primary fruit falvours of this wine are more obvious and for many will be more immediately desirable than the Arrival Shiraz. A superb Shiraz. Opaque black crimson colour with black crimson hue. Lifted nose, with liquorice allsorts top notes followed by vanilla, spice and blackberry delivering an impressive varietal sniff. The palate is mouthfilling, with flavours of spice, liquorice, plum, blackberry and vanilla emerging over a black pepper back palate. Excellent length and depth. Fine grained, perfectly balanced tannins. Very long aftertaste of vanilla, blackberry, spice and black pepper.
Cellar 4-5 years (2010-2011)
14.5% Alc
95 Points  Click here to read more about the McLaren Vale wine region.