2016 Salomon Estate Finniss River Sea Eagle Vineyard Shiraz

Bert and Gertrud Salomon are full-time travellers when it comes to wine. In Austria's Kremstal region on the Danube they manage their seventh-generation family estate, Salomon Undhof. Then once vintage is complete in the northern hemisphere, they fly south to Australia to manage Salomon Estate. Founded in 1995, the wines here are produced off a single property located on the Finniss River, about 20km southeast of McLaren Vale, where the Adelaide Hills run into the Fleurieu Peninsula. The soils are typically gravel and sand over red and orange sandstone and the vineyard falls gently away towards the northwest providing ideal exposure, warm days ensure ripe fruit flavours while the cooling breezes which roll off the Southern Ocean in the late afternoon ensure excellent acid retention. Here, Australian robustness meets European elegance in a most convincing fashion.

Silky, bold, rich fruits engulf the mouth backed by a muscular framework.

Aged in small French oak barrels, one third of which was new, for a period of 18 months. Impenetrable inky black core with a very deep black dark red hue. Sailing out of the glass are aromatics of liquorice, blackberry and dark plum which are complimented by scorched earth, old leather and spicy vanillin oak notes. Bold, rich and very full in body the mouth is engulfed with opulently textured liquorice and blackberry fruits which are supported by a muscular framework. Vanillin oak, scorched earth and spicy blackpepper elements sit in the background. Robust yet well integrated tannins contrast the silky feel of the fruit. Excellent power with a long blackpepper infused aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews…..
Estate-grown, matured for 18 months in French barriques (33% new). The expressive black fruit aromas are no false portents, the medium-bodied palate moving unhindered across and along the palate, so much so its complexity might easily be missed. Drink by 2039.
96 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion