Elderton Helbig 1915 Shiraz 2024

A special wine from the team, the name reflects the planting of this vineyard by the Helbig family in 1915, a single vineyard block in the Greenock sub-region, which the Elderton family acquired in 2010. Just 651 bottles were produced. Fermentation was in puncheons with the heads removed. Maturation is for a year in new French oak. Under cork, it is also a contender for heavy bottle of the year. For me, definitely one of the very best wines I’ve seen this year. A near black core, there is a maroon/magenta rim. The nose reveals aromas of plums, mulberries, vanilla, coffee beans, black cherries, mocha, new leather and dark chocolate. There is superb oak integration throughout. Balance is impeccable, length immense and the texture utterly seductive. The palate is simply dripping with chocolate. The wine finishes with the silkiest of tannins and should drink like a dream for the next twenty to thirty years.