2018 Command Shiraz 375ml

A special release of half-bottles (375mL) of our Command Shiraz

The second generation of Ashmead family, and Elderton Co-Managing Directors, Allister and Cameron, as the current custodians of a rare piece of Barossa Valley viticultural heritage, continue their parents’ aspirations and expectations to produce a great wine of the world. The Command is truly an expression of place, and one of which the family intends to preserve for generations to come.

The winter preceding the 2018 vintage delivered sufficient rainfall to set up the vines for a healthy growing season. There was very little rain to interfere with ripening and this also allowed us to make all picking decisions based purely on fruit profile. From the river we see a gradual increase in clay content across the rows which corresponds with a decrease in vigour over the block. For this reason we harvest the block in several batches aiming to achieve the perfect balance in each batch. We harvested the 2018 Command Shiraz over three weeks from 7 - 22 March, bringing a little fruit in earlier with a tight acid line and the last fruit to come in with a deeper, more plush palate weight to balance. We used a combination of heading boards and standard open fermentation combined with a small amount of barrel fermentation to create the Command blend. Post pressing our Command batches were transferred to a combination of new French and American oak from coopers we know and trust. Here the wine went through malolactic fermentation and further ageing to allow the powerful fruit to come together with the tannin profile present in the fruit and oak. - Jules and Brock

Alcohol: 14.6%

Aroma: Lifted red fruits and plummy depth with hints of spicy oak

Appearance: Deep crimson

Taste: Rich and attractive spicy fresh ripe berries, supported by silky tannins that together provide a focused structure, and a powerful yet elegant finish flush with fruit to balance the tannins

Mouthfeel: Rich, powerful and elegant

Ageing Process: 30 months in new French and American puncheons