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2002 Elderton Command Single Vineyard Shiraz

Barossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
$150. 00
Bottle
$1800.00 Dozen
Cellar: 4 - 5 Years (2010-2011)
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Cork

Since it’s first release in 1984, the Elderton Command Shiraz has established a reputation as one of Australia’s best and most sought after shiraz. Previous vintages of this wine have received numerous accolades and awards from around the world including the trophy for the best Shiraz in the world at the London International Wine and Spirit Competition. The wine has also consistently received lavish praise from influential US wine critics Robert Parker & Wine Spectator Magazine. 

Sourced from vines planted in the early 1900’s, 2002 was a dream year viticulturally, with mild summer temperatures being greeted with a very dry and mild Autumn, ensuring long hang times, great baume’s and amazing natural acidity.

The reputation of the 2002 vintage alone will ensure that this Barossa icon will be highly sought after by collectors from around the world.

The wine was matured in a combination of American & French oak for a period of 3 years (starting off in new American & new French oak puncheons and then transferred into older oak after about one year). It is then given a further 12 months bottle age before release.

A magnificent Elderton Command.  Opaque, deep crimson colour with deep crimson hue.  Perfumed top notes of violets and vanilla followed by spice, confectionary and blackberry.  The palate is mouthfilling, with ‘joosy’ flavours of spice and white pepper followed by overlays of vanilla, confectionary, plum and spice.  Velvet smooth tannins.  Aftertaste of vanilla, spice, dark chocolate and confectionary.
Cellar: 4-5 years (2010-2011)
Alc/Vol: 14.5%

Other Reviews….
Elderton’s flagship cuvee, the awesome 2002 Command Shiraz, is a classically Australian, bigger than life, extroverted, flamboyant effort boasting huge notes of smoky oak, new saddle leather, roasted meats, blackberry liqueur, and creme de cassis. It is an enormously chewy, unctuously textured Shiraz that should age for 10-15 years.
94-96 pointsRobert Parker, Wine Advocate #161 (Oct 2005)

A stunning effort, the 2002 Shiraz Command exhibits an inky/blue/purple colour as well as a sweet perfume of camphor, blueberries, blackberries, acacia flowers, and smoky, toasty oak. Full-bodied, opulent, and viscous, with huge, but sweet tannin, decent acidity, and a muscular, long, 40+ second finish, this is a classic, potentially long-lived, Barossa blockbuster. It’s accessible now, but ideally needs another 2-4 years of bottle age, and should keep for two decades.
95 points
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate #167 (Oct 2006)