2007 Langmeil The Freedom 1843 Shiraz

The Barossa Valley is home to Australia's most iconic wine brands, but what are the qualities that make these wines so special (and expensive)? The age and rarity of the vines is one factor. Many of the world's oldest Cabernet and Shiraz vines are still growing there, some planted in the early 19th century. Miniscule yields inherent to their age are compensated by a purity & concentration of flavour, a remarkable persistence on the aftertaste and silk-like tannins, making for extraordinary sensory experiences.

Some historical perspective helps one appreciate these wines all the more. When you next pour a glass, consider that around the same time that many of Barossa's viticultural pioneers were producing their first vintage, Giuseppe Verdi had completed the opera Aida, the Suez Canal was opened and a record was set by the sailing ship Thermopylae - reaching Port Melbourne from England in a record 61 days 11 hours. A little later the four cylinder internal combustion engine was to be invented and Pasteur had discovered 'germs'. It's little wonder these wines continue to be collected and celebrated as treasures of world viticultural history.

Tasting note: Langmeil’s flagship wine is produced from the 'Freedom Vineyard', planted in 1843 by Lutheran blacksmith, Christian Auricht and his family, who came to Australia escaping the religious persecution and war in Prussia. The vineyard is believed to be home to the oldest known surviving Shiraz vines in the world. The wine is made using traditional wine making techniques and matured for 24 months in a combination 63% new and 37% old French oak.

Opaque black crimson colour with black crimson hue. Aromas of mocha, liquorice allsorts, confectionary, spice and plum – a very intense sniff. The palate is a super concentrate of flavour – full bodied with voluptuous flavours of ripe blackberry, spice, liquorice allsorts and blood plum followed by some blackpepper and vanilla on the back palate. Fine grained dryish tannins with very long spice, blackpepper, blackberry, mocha and confectionary aftertaste.
Cellar 5-8 years.
15% Alc./Vol.