Vintage Update 25.3.11

The colours of vintage are truly coming to life this week!

Cellarhand Orin digging out open fermenter

Cellarhand Erik digging out open fermenter

2007 Command Rates Well

The recently released 2007 Command Shiraz has already received fantastic ratings of 95 points from James Halliday and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 94 points from Tanzer's International Wine Cellar. Yesterday a rating of 97 points was given in the newsletter released by Nicks Wine Merchants:

Opaque black dark red colour with deep dark red hue - a little more advanced than previous vintages. The nose displays excellent intensity with top notes of mocha and liquorice followed by some ripe blackberry, confectionary and vanilla. Full bodied, super rich and opulent the palate displays lavish flavours of dark plum, liquorice allsorts and mocha followed by some dark chocolate and vanilla overtones. Silky smooth tannin structure. Superb depth with long persistent aftertaste of mocha, liquorice, vanilla and spice. Available in limited supply. Hedonistic drinking now but will also cellar a further 5-6 years (2011-2017) - 97 points - Nicks Wine Merchants

The 2008 Estate Shiraz also received a great review, rated 94 points:

Lifted aromas of blackberry, mocha, liquorice allsorts, toasty vanillin oak and confectionary. Full bodied and filled with ripe opulent blackberry, dark chocolate, liquorice allsorts and spice flavours. Soft velvet smooth tannins with a generous fleshy mouthfeel. Good persistence with long aftertaste of ripe blackberry, dark chocolate, liquorice and spice. Elderton are one of the top exponents of voluptuous Barossa Shiraz with the 2008 again delivering excellent value. Drink over the next 4-5 years (2011-2016) - 94 points - Nicks Wine Merchants

Vintage 2011 Underway

Elderton's winery is now abuzz with vintage moving into full swing. The first crush occured on March 7 - Chardonnay. The first red ferment is now underway, with Shiraz in the open fermenters and giving us the amazing colours and smells of vintage!

Dine with Allister at Melbourne restaurants for launch of 2007 Command Shiraz

Join Allister Ashmead for dinner, as two great restaurants in Melbourne will be hosting dinners for the release of the 2007 Command Shiraz in March.

Tuesday, 15 March — Sosta (Errol St, North Melbourne)

Wednesday, 16 March — Grossi Florentino (Bourke St, Melbourne)

For further details contact Elderton Wines elderton@eldertonwines.com.au

Greenhouse emissions offset

Elderton has reconfirmed it's commitment to offsetting greenhouse gas emmissions. 296 tonnes will be offset for 2009/10 by tree planting, as calculated by the SA Wine Industry Association. Elderton is a signatory to the Climate Change Sector Agreement.

82 mm in 24 hours!

Elderton Wines, and the entire region, has been inundated, with just over 82mm of rain falling in the last 24 hours. This was accompanied by a spectacular summer thunderstorm and light show to match last night.

Elderton in James Halliday's Top 100 Wines

James Halliday's 2010 Top 100 has been released, and Elderton's 2009 Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is featured, capping off a stellar year for this wine.

94 points
Bright red-purple, the perfumed redcurrant aromas lead into a palate with abundant juicy, fleshy fruit, fine tannins, and a bare hint of oak from nine months in older French hogsheads.
James Halliday, The Weekend Australian Magazine, November 13-14, 2010.