2014 Mount Edelstone Shiraz
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Tasting notes
2014 is in the UK at the moment. 102-year-old, single-vineyard, ungrafted Shiraz grown in the Mount Edelstone vineyard in Eden Valley. On deep, sandy loam over gravelly red clay, overlying laminated siltstone. Farmed organically and biodynamically. Aged in 92% French and 8% American oak hogsheads (28% new) for 18 months. pH 3.46, acidity 5.98 g/l. This was the wine that put Henschke on the map. The 1956 vintage swept up the top trophies in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne’s wine shows. Mount Edelstone was planted in 1912 by Ronald Angas. According to Stephen, he came to Cyril knowing he was interested in old vines and said, ‘Would you buy my grapes?’ But Cyril, looking at the 16-ha (40-acre) vineyard, said, ‘I’ll buy the grapes if I can manage the vineyard.’ In 1974 Cyril finally managed to buy the vineyard from the Angas family and by this time Mount Edelstone was already an icon Shiraz. Gamey, developed nose of bresaola and salami and dried blackberries. Fierce and furrowed with muscular tannins. Darkly spicy, black pepper and Szechuan pepper. Chewy and chunky and needs food. Quite a bit of heat and a wine built to impress and for long cellaring. Drama and concentration, the finish with a lift of sage leaf. (TC)
Critic scores
Average Score
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
(produced from vines that were planted in 1912) Bright purple. Expansive cherry, cassis, pipe tobacco and vanilla scents on the intensely perfumed nose, lent urgency by a subtle mineral overtone. Fleshy dark fruit liqueur, floral pastille and mocha flavors are supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Becomes spicier with aeration and displays a suave blend of depth, power and energy. Finishes sweet, smooth and extremely persistent, displaying youthful tannins and lingering dark berry and peppery spice qualities.
Medium to deep garnet in color with a purple rim, the 2014 Shiraz Mount Edelstone Keyneton Vineyard exudes a nose that is simply beguiling, exuding earth, meat and mineral layers over a core of black berries and mulberries, plus hints of mincemeat, sautéed herbs and menthol. Medium to full-bodied with a firm backbone of chewy tannins and marked freshness, it is savory, broody and taut at this youthful juncture, finishing with lingering fried herbs notes. I love the singularity and overall complexity of this wine, but there is a pronounced herbal character and hardness that robs it of a higher rating.