2005 Elderton Command Shiraz

This, the 20th release of Command Shiraz, adds yet another jewel to the remarkable crown of achievements that affirm this wine's International status as one of the world's most highly regarded Shiraz wines. Yet, like others in the Barossa, Elderton's winemaker, Richard Langford, was apprehensive about the likelihood of an ‘odd year’ standing over such a great vintage as 2004. The chances seemed 'remote' reports Langford '...But with a wet winter providing the sustenance and a mild, dry summer following, Elderton fruit showed excellent development, particularly old vine harvests. The vintage was later than normal with the last pick of the Command block being on April 11th. This long ripening period, partnered with cool submerged- cap ferments in the winery, has allowed the fruit to shine through and is testament to the power of flavour produced from our oldest Shiraz vines.'  Most of these vines were planted around 1904 and survive on their original rootstock yielding around 1-2 tonnes per hectare.

The wine has spent 34 months in new American and French oak hogsheads. Almost opaque black crimson colour with black crimson hue. Perfumed nose with top note of violets, followed by cedar, blackberry and vanilla with spice, confectionary and a hint of leather as an end note. Mouthfilling explosive palate. Loaded with ripe joosy fruit flavours. Layers of vanilla, liquorice, blackberry, chocolate and spice. Velvet smooth tannins. Exceptional length and depth. Very long aftertaste of vanilla, confectionary, liquorice and plum.
Cellar 4-5 years (2013-2014)
Alc/Vol: 14.5%

Other reviews... a wine with serious aging potential, and one with which all other South Australia Shiraz must be compared. The opaque purple/black 2005 Command Shiraz was aged in French and American oak puncheons (500-liter barrels). It offers up a sexy/kinky bouquet of wood smoke, lavender, leather, game, mineral, black raspberry, and blueberry pie. Voluptuous on the palate, complex, and dense, it demands a decade of cellaring after which it should offer hedonists much pleasure through 2035.
97 points.  - Jay Miller, Wine Advocate # 181 Feb 2009