Recent Elderton reviews by Nick Stock
In August, Nick Stock came to visit us at Cellar Door and sat down with Allister, Jules and Brock to look at some of our current releases and upcoming vintages ahead of writing his reviews for JamesSuckling.com.
Here we share the reviews!
2018 ODE TO LORRAINE
This has a very attractively pure nose with nicely framed spice and blueberry, blackberry and plum aromas, as well as some tarry, leafy, sappy and dark-stony elements. There’s a very smooth and fluid feel to the palate with blackcurrant, dark cherry and plum in abundance. So steady on its feet. An old-vine blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 38% shiraz and 4% merlot from the estate vineyard in Nuriootpa. Drink over the next decade.
94 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
2020 ASHMEAD FAMILY RESERVE FIELD BLEND SPECIAL RELEASE
This is a special edition wine that has a rich blue-fruited nose, as well as orange zest, cranberry and cherry, as well as attractive oak spice. The palate holds a rich yet fresh stance and delivers a very composed and fleshy mid-palate drive of dark-berry and plum flavors. A blend of 62% grenache, 32% mataro, 3% carignan and 2% shiraz. Drink or hold.
94 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
2021 EDEN VALLEY RIESLING
Super fresh lemon and quartzy, flinty elements from this great vintage. So vividly fresh and floral with flavors in the realm of lemon and white peach. Bright, balanced acidity. Still taut with natural acidity, this is an each-way bet. Drink now or hold.
93 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
2019 BAROSSA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Quite intense cassis aromas on offer here with a gently leafy edge, some tarry elements, leafy notes and black olives. The palate has a fresh, elegantly delivered tannin structure with blueberry and cassis flavors and some pastry-like layering at the finish. Drink over the next five years.
91 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
2020 EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY
This has vivid peach and lemon aromas with nicely framed, cedary oak adding hazelnut and spice. Lemon peel, too. The palate is smoothly fleshy with a gently creamy peach and lemon core. Smooth, even and so juicy with a fresh lemon and hazelnut-flavored finish. Drink over the next three years.
90 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
2019 E SERIES SHIRAZ CABERNET SAUVIGNON
A fresh and bright red-fruited red blend with a thread of darker black-fruit notes and a smoothly fleshy palate with bright, fresh and sleek red-toned berry flavors. Drink now.
88 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
Coming in October:
2019 HELBIG 1915 SHIRAZ
From a parcel of 1915 plantings in Greenock, this has very rich dark-plum, blackberry, currant, chocolate and black-fruit aromas, as well as freshly turned dark earth, dark, sweet spices and graphite. The palate has impressive depth with such velvety texture and really rich black-fruit flavors that are so long and dusted with cocoa powder throughout. Speaks to this powerful, dark-fruited section of the Barossa. Drink over the next decade or more.
96 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
2019 NEIL ASHMEAD GRAND TOURER SHIRAZ
This is a parcel in Greenock with rich blueberry and blackberry aromas and some gentle ginger, as well as blood orange and orange peel. The palate has a very sleek and freshly vivid feel and such attractive build of spice on the finish. This has power with grace and the French oak really works well, as does the aging on lees. Reminiscent of Penfolds RWT and certainly a clear winner in the value stakes. Drink over the next decade.
93 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
