History

The Elderton Command Shiraz has established an enviable reputation since the first vintage in 1984. It is truly one of Australia’s best and most highly regarded Icon wines. Accolades have come from the world over for vintages such as the 1992, which was chosen by the influential wine critic Robert Parker in his U.S. magazine the “Wine Advocate” as one of the world’s top 80 wines. The 1995 Command was awarded 95 points by “Wine Spectator” and placed in their top 100 wines, the 2000 was awarded 97 points by the same magazine and placed 27 in their top 100 and the 1996 Command won the trophy for the best Shiraz in the world at the London International Wine and Spirit Competition, which Elderton’s principal - Lorraine Ashmead believes ratifies her plans, aspirations and expectations to produce a great wine of the world.

Winemaking

”2005 followed a vintage that many thought would rank highly in the decade and the chances of an ‘odd year’ standing over such a vintage seemed remote. But with a wet winter providing the sustenance and a mild, dry summer following, Elderton fruit showed excellent development, particularly old vine harvests. The vintage was later than normal with the last pick of the Command block being on April 11th. This long ripening period, partnered with cool submerged-cap ferments in the winery, has allowed the fruit to shine through (over the 30+ months of oak maturation) and is testament to the power of flavour produced from our oldest Shiraz vines.

Viticulture

The Elderton Command Shiraz grapes are grown on a selected portion of the Elderton Estate vineyard, from vines planted in 1894. Grown on rich river silt soils and red brown earth over limestone, in a Mediterranean climate, with cropping levels less than 4 tonnes per hectare. 2004 was a dream year viticulturally, with mild and dry, summer conditions continuing all the way through to early late autumn. The strength and magnificence of these vines shines effortlessly though in the quality of what is in the bottle.

Awards

•  International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009 - SILVER MEDAL
•  2009 Barossa Wine Show - BRONZE MEDAL
•  San Francisco Wine Show 2009 - BRONZE MEDAL
•  James Halliday, 2010 Wine Companion - 94 POINTS
•  Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar Sept/October Issue - 93 POINTS
•  London International Wine Challenge 2009 - BRONZE MEDAL
•  Decanter World Wine Awards 2009 - SILVER MEDAL

Reviews

•  Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar Sep/Oct ’08 Issue - Inky ruby colour Vibrant raspberry, cherry-vanilla and coconut aromas are complemented by candied liquorice and smoky minerals. Pliant, palate-coating red and dark berry preserve flavours are perked up by Asian spices and smoky minerals. Pretty exotic but not over the top, with gentle tannins adding shape and focus to the long, sweet finish. This is downright sexy today. 94 points
•  97 Points - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 2009 - Elderton's flagship is the single vineyard Command Shiraz, a wine with serious aging potential, and one with which all other South Australia Shiraz must be compared. The opaque purple/black 2005 Command was aged in French and American oak puncheons (500 litre barrels). It offers up a sexy/kinky bouquet of wood smoke, lavender, leather, game, mineral, black raspberry, and blueberry pie. Voluptuous on the palate, complex, and dense, it demands a decade of cellaring after which it should offer hedonists much pleasure through 2035.
•  5 Stars - Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age - March Issue 2009 - Thirty-four months in oak is a long time, but this concentrated shiraz handles it surprisingly well. It has more interest and life than some of its similarly pricey Barossa neighbours. Spicy blackberry and blackcurrant-like fruit form the core, and charry vanillin oak is applied liberally. It's big, lush and velvety with ripe, grippy tannins.
•  Matthew Jukes - Top 100 Best Australian Wine 2009 - Another big ‘05 and another exceptionally attractive wine. Command has the ability to be brutish when it wishes but I have not seen this character emerge in the ‘05, favouring as it does a more statesmen-like position with its noble array of dark berry flavours and decadent tobacco and chocolate nuances.
•  James Halliday, 2010 Edition - Rating: 90 - Lavish 34 months in American (dominant) oak has resulted in an army greatcoat of oak wrapped around the undeniably good fruit, the latter giving the palate length.
•  Jancis Robinson rates 2005 Command Shiraz 17.5/20 - 17.5 Points Drink 2009-19 "Vines planted 1894. They are apparently employing a historian to check the vine-planting records, and are paying him in wine. Rich and flattering with very nice balance. There’s a slight element of ‘dry port’ about it, lots of VA and alcohol for example, but this is pure Oz. They age it first in new oak and then used oak apparently. You could enjoy this easily already. Apparently the 1986 and 1988 are drinking beautifully now! Unctuous. There’s a bit of salt and umami."