Clarendon Hills, Astralis Shiraz Vintage:2003

Clarendon Hills, Astralis Shiraz Vintage:2003The 2001 Syrah Astralis Vineyard may be just as compelling as the 2002. Tighter because of being in the bottle, it is an extraordinary effort that offers the essence of graphite, blackberry liqueur, espresso, and acacia flowers, all combining into an olfactory smorgasbord for the senses. Sensationally concentrated, with sweet tannin, but neither weighty nor over the top as might be expected for a wine of such extreme richness, it is an extraordinarily

detailed and quite delicate flavors that possess a lacy mouth feel

The finishes drives on

high clay content soil sitting on a bed of solid rock)

The wine's tonality is dark and thick

smooth and dense

This vintage represents the 20th anniversary of this wine (the first vintage produced was 1992) although this special single-vineyard has been in family hands since 1435 (you read that correctly)

Scents of lavender

As it was from cask this is more restrained than usual and it requires aggressive swirling to coax the pure and spicy essence of red berry fruit aromas to emerge from the glass where there is a slight hint of herbal tea present

equally pure and beautifully textured medium weight flavors possess excellent length on the energetic

thanks to the wine's open and accessible persona

menthol and new leather are all laced throughout

dark berry and kirsch aromas trimmed in plenty of earth character