Elderton Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz 2024
- 93
- $65
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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Neil Ashmead was the original force behind Elderton, although sadly no longer with us (as you have probably guessed, he was also a bit keen on fast cars). This wine, Barossa Valley Shiraz, has always been an excellent tribute to him. The fruit usually comes from their Nuriootpa Vineyard which was planted back in 1954, although recently they have added Shiraz from Greenock, planted in 1980. This year, they have also focused on their exciting new vineyard situated at Mengler Hill. Overall, the vines range between 12 and 84 years in age. The wine spends twenty-three months maturing in French puncheons. Dark maroon/purple with a mauve rim, this is a bold and muscular style of Shiraz. The nose reveals aromas of chocolate, warm earth, licorice, cloves, coffee grinds and dark cherries. Those cherries really come to the fore on the palate. There is decent length here and the wine finishes with sleek tannins. A very attractive style which will provide pleasure for the next ten years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
