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Tasting notes

Tasting notes
Score 97/100 · Robert Parker

The blockbuster 1996 Astralis Syrah is the most Hermitage-like. Its dark plum/purple color is followed by a big, sweet kiss of roasted meats, creme de cassis, blackberries, pepper, and forest floor. Dense with superb purity, full-bodied power, and beautiful balance, it is the only Astralis we tasted that exhibited a strong tertiary/secondary aromatic development. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 183

Critic scores

Critic scores
98
98/100

Average Score

97
97/100

Robert Parker

98
98/100

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate

More reviews and scores

98 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Score 98/100 · Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-colored, the 1996 Astralis wows right from the start with an incredibly profound nose of meat and fertile loam intermingling with black truffles, black cherry and black plum preserves plus a whiff of Christmas cake. Ripe, rich and seductive, the medium to full-bodied palate is generous and refreshing with crisp acid, medium levels of rounded tannins and a finish that lingers a very long time. It is mature, for drinking now. Feb 2014, www.robertparker.com

About the producer

Clarendon Hills NV
Clarendon Hills

Based in the McLaren Vale, Clarendon Hills has been one of the pioneering names in Australian wine. Focusing on single-site expressions of individual grapes, working with old dry-farmed vineyards, it has become one of the world’s leading producers, best known for its iconic Astralis Shiraz.

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