2009 Elderton Shiraz Command
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Tasting notes
Shiraz planted c 1894, upstream of Old Garden vineyard (see the Hewitson wine), valley floor. More loam and richer soil than Old Garden. Picked in 3-4 passes. Open concrete ferment. 30 months in new French and US puncheons. TA 7.0 g/l, pH 3.35. Sweet and ripe and dark with a touch of eucalyptus. Dark cherry chocolate. Stunningly and unexpectedly fresh. Great concentration and depth and purity. With menthol again on the finish. Very (too?) sweet tasting when you go back to it. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Deep garnet, the nose of the still youthful 2009 Command Shiraz reveals a lot of oak with a good core of cedar, black berry preserves, pepper, cinnamon stick, cloves and vanilla plus a whiff of mocha. Full-bodied and powerful in the mouth, it offers a great concentration of licorice and vanilla flavors in the mouth complementing the pure berry richness with firm, rounded tannins and crisp acid supporting, finishing long and cedary. With the oak standing out at the moment, it should drink best 2015 to 2024+. Imported by USA Wine West, Sausalito, CA