Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz

VERTICAL TASTING NOTES – APRIL 2022 Hand sorting is followed by light crushing and vinification in “headed down” small open fermenters. The wine completes malolactic fermentation in barrels before maturation in primarily French oak for between 15 and 18 months. Although The Armagh was first matured in new American oak, the transition to French and larger oak vessels has been a major change over the last 10 years. This has resulted in better fruit/ oak integration through the maturation period and increasing transparency of the vineyard site. Deep crimson. Classical blackberry, praline, ginger, sage aromas with mocha oak notes. Luxurious blackberry pastille, blackcurrant, black cherry fruits, superb fine chocolatey/ velvet tannins and beautifully balanced mocha/ vanilla/ smoky oak notes. Finishes velvety/ gravelly firm with raspberry, graphite/ bush garrigue notes. A hugely impressive long-lasting Clare Valley Shiraz with lovely fruit definition, density and vigour. 15 months in French oak, 75% new. Screwcap. 13.6% alc Drink 2028–2050 2017 Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz, Clare Valley South Australia G 95 Deep crimson. Lifted dark chocolate, liquorice, dark plum aromas with vanilla, hint of mint notes. Superbly concentrated wine with intense dark chocolate, blackberry, liquorice fruits, fine chocolaty, slightly leafy tannins and underlying espresso vanilla notes and integrated fresh linear acidity. Finishes claret-firm with blackberry-chinotto notes. Very good density and torque. 18 months in French oak. Screwcap. 13.8% alc Drink 2026–2042 2016 Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz, Clare Valley South Australia G 98 Deep crimson. Roasted coffee, espresso, blackberry aromas with chinotto-sage notes. Inky deep palate with abundant blackberry, plum fruits, fine loose-knit graphite/ al dente tannins, superb mid-palate density and integrated mocha vanilla oak notes. A firm vigorous finish with ferruginous notes. An amazingly powerful yet graceful and sinuous wine with excellent cellaring potential. 16 months in French and American oak, 65% new. Screwcap 14.4% alc Drink 2028–2048 2018 Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz, Clare Valley South Australia G 99