2008 Elderton Command Shiraz

Elderton Command Shiraz is a single vineyard wine that has established a formidable international reputation since the first vintage in 1984. The Elderton vineyard is located on the southern edge of the Nuriootpa township and planted on deep alluvial silt over red and brown earth and limestone. The majority of the rows are orientated east-west (as opposed to the more common orientation of north-south). This enables cooling breezes from the Barossa Ranges to flow through the rows of vines rather than against them. The Command block is planted out with Shiraz vines that are over 100 years old which contributes the monumental layers of flavour and complexity. Matured in a combination of French and American oak for 32 months and then given a further 12 months bottle age before being released.

Opaque black dark red colour with a deep dark red hue. Powerful aromas of liquorice, blackberry and dark chocolate are overlaid by some toasty vanillin oak and spice. Rich and opulent the palate has supplely textured flavours of liquorice, ripe blackberries and dark plum which flood the palate over a background of dark chocolate and toasty vanillin oak with some spice on the finish. Not as heavy as one would expect from a warm year like 2008, this is one of the more elegant efforts from the vintage. Velvet smooth tannins. Excellent length with a long dark plum, liquorice, toasty vanillin oak and spice aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc 14.5%

First tasted February 2012
Totally opaque black dark crimson red colour with dark red black hue. The nose fills the nostrils with dark chocolate, liquorice and ripe blackberry aromas intermixed with some sweet mocha vanillin like characters and a hint of spice. Full bodied, rich and possessing a voluptuous texture the palate delivers mouthfilling flavours of ripe dark plum, dark chocolate, liquorice, mocha and some vanillin oak overtones with a spicy back palate. Whilst showing off it’s trademark opulence and richness the wine is not as thick and dense as earlier vintages such as 2003 and 2005 displaying a more refined character. Silky smooth, perfectly balanced tannin structure. Excellent length with long persistent liquorice, dark plum, dark chocolate, vanillin oak and spice aftertaste.
97 points
Cellar 5-6 years (2017-2018)
Alc 14.5%