Elderton Command Single Vineyard Shiraz 2001

Make no mistake, this is a remarkable Shiraz.

Not unlike many Bordeaux Chateaux, this has changed hands several times over the past 130 years.

The original vines were planted in 1894 by early German settlers, the Scholz family, then in 1916, Samuel Elderton Tolley purchased the vineyards and named it Elderton. He built a sprawling homestead, grew grapes, and sold them to his family winery. The Winery did well until the early 1970’s suffering from a vine pulling program and became derelict.

Around 1975, Lorraine and Neil Ashmead were offered the house for sale, and he offered to throw in the 72 acres of old vines for nothing. Tireless work with meticulous precision and the classic old vines were resurrected to their former glory, with the first wine under the Elderton label being released in 1982. Fourteen years later, in 1996, they won Best Shiraz in the World at the London International Wine and Spirit Competition, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the valley. 

The 2001 is the 16th release of the single-vineyard Command Shiraz, spending 3 years in French and American oak and a year in bottle aging.   

The body and structure are impeccable, so I can see this cellaring out to 2030 to 2035. It is drinking so well now, though. I still have two more bottles in the cellar, so look for an update in years to come.

Wine Spectator rated this 96 Pt in 2005.

I have said this before, but just make sure whatever you pair with this is worthy. Red meat for sure.