Château Tanunda 150-Year-Old Vines Grenache 2022
G 95
The vineyard resources in the Barossa are truly extraordinary and rarely are they shown to such advantage as with this range from Château Tanunda. The Grenache vines providing the fruit here, in the Stonegarden Vineyard in Eden Valley, were planted in 1858. Low yielding, naturally, the wine spent a year and a half maturing in a mix of new and older French oak. The wine has the additional benefit of coming from an excellent vintage for the region. Only 700 bottles made. Under cork. A ruby/ crimson colour, the nose provides notes of strawberries, kirsch, wild raspberries, dried herbs, tobacco leaves, charcuterie and aniseed. Gorgeous aromas they are, and certainly a highlight, but the wine continues to impress on the palate, which is seamless, supple and offers wonderful length. Fine line of acidity runs the full journey, through to silky tannins. A brilliant Grenache for enjoying over the next 12–15 years. Drink now–2040 Château Tanunda 50-Year-Old Vines Shiraz 2023 G 95 The grapes providing the fruit for this wine come from the Vine Vale sub-region, and were planted in 1965. After destemming, they spend a week on their skins before basket-pressing and then maturation in French oak, new and older, for a year and a half. Under cork. A deep purple hue, notes of spices, chocolate, bay leaves, coffee beans, black fruits, soy and truffles weave through the nose. The wine is generous and approachable and also has some toasty and vanillin notes from the oak integration. There is excellent length here, the wine is bright and energetic, and concludes with fine, firm tannins. A 15-year proposition. Drink now–2040 Chateau Yaldara Icon Shiraz 2022 G 95 Name a wine the ‘Icon’ and you really do set yourself up for a fall. Fortunately, this single vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz, under Vinc, more than steps up. From a superb vintage. A gleaming dark magenta in colour, the nose gives us plums, wild raspberries, leather, mushrooms, black fruits, chocolate and mulberries. There is certainly oak evident, but it is beautifully handled. The wine lifts even further on the palate, with good energy, balance and refinement. There is serious length here through to sleek tannins. Worthy of the name. Drink now–2045 Cirillo Black Label Shiraz 2024 G 95 The vines offering fruit for this cracking Barossa Shiraz were planted back in 1848, making them some of the oldest on the planet. We looked at this wine while it was still a barrel sample, when it seriously impressed. Even better now. The colour is a vibrant opaque purple/maroon. This is still very young, but it harbours so much promise. Utterly delicious. There are notes of mulberries, florals, soy, blackberries, liquorice, plums, mocha, cassis, root vegetables and coffee beans. The structure is exuberant with a seamlessness, and there is immaculate balance, serious length and satiny tannins. So much to love. This is a joy now but it has a decade ahead. Even though it is from such a recent vintage, this is exciting and deserves its score. It is that good. Drink now–2035
South Australia Wine Guide 2026 | Barossa
85
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