 |  |  Varietal: Shiraz
Country: Australia
Region: McLaren Vale
Sub-Region: Clarendon
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Planted in the early 1930's, the vineyard is about 70 years old. This vineyard is planted with the old clones of Syrah (low yielding) on their own roots, dry grown and yields about two tonnes to the acre.
The soils here are mainly clay, ironstone and gravel facing due east and fairly steep. The vineyard usually ripens early due to the low yields and extensive root systems of these old vines.
The grapes are handpicked and fermented with natural yeasts in open stainless steel tanks at temperatures up to 32 degree Celsius. All the pressings are returned to the 100% new French oak barriques and the maturation lasts for 18 months before bottling without fining or filtration.
This is always the most beautiful wine in the cellar and is the flagship of the Clarendon Hills Syrah Range.
Due to minimal intervention in the winemaking process this wine expresses the vineyard characters as it develops in the bottle for up to 30 years.
 |  | |  | |  |  | |  | | | | Reviews:
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"Aristocratic stuff, brimming with lovely blueberry, plum and vanilla flavors, wrapped in a mantle of peppery, cedary oak, finishing with plenty of flavor and a rousing intensity that promises a long, impressive development. A stylish red that shows no signs of quitting" -Rated 95, Wine Spectator
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"It’s hard to believe the 2003 Syrah Astralis Vineyard could be better, but it offers riveting richness, intensity, purity, and equilibrium. Structurally, it is similar to the Piggott Range, revealing abundant amounts of sweet, ripe tannin, and huge extract, richness, and depth. Meant for true connoisseurs who are willing to forget it for 5-8 years, it represents what Roman Bratasiuk and Clarendon Hills do so well ... show respect for the great traditions of France, but recognize the extraordinary raw materials that emerge from old vines planted in McLaren Vale. This fabulous wine offers both power and elegance, and showcases the extraordinary talent of Roman Bratasiuk. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030" -Rated 99, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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"A fantastic wine, but so young that it would qualify better as "fetus" than as "infant." Still very closed on the nose, showing cassis and black cherry aromas after much airing. Its color is a powerful, almost glowing, purple and its flavors—a vibrant surge of pure black and blueberries—are just as intense. Very concentrated and tight, with a linear, minerally frame underneath its monstrous tannins. Winemaker Roman Bratasiuk recommends aging for a mimum of 6 years before drinking; if you are as foolish as I and insist on opening a bottle today, decant for a minimum of 6-8 hours. Rating may look stingy by the time Bush finishes his second term. — D.T. (3/1/2005)" -Rated 95, Wine Enthusiast
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"Opaque ruby with a violet rim. Full-throttle, liqueur-like aromas of raspberry, black cherry, blueberry, mocha, coffee, violet, licorice pastille and exotic Asian spices. Dense and thick yet fresh, exuberant and high-toned in flavor, showing every imaginable berry note and an impressively deep, velvety texture. Finishes bright, pure, fresh and very long, with fully buffered tannins and exotic, sexy oak spices lingering." -Rated 94, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
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