2022 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.

Estate grown on the Nuriootpa vineyard, the fruit is sourced from a single block planted in 1894, classed as an Ancestor vineyard by the Barossa Old Vine Charter.

Vineyard Source 100% Estate grown, Nuriootpa

Vine Age 128 years

Spanning from the North Para River on the western side of our Command vineyard to Cellar Door at the eastern end, we see a gradual increase in clay content which corresponds with a decrease in vigour over the vineyard. For this reason we harvest the Command fruit over several picks, aiming to achieve the perfect balance in each pick.

Using our tulip closed fermenters we are able take a portion of the fruit and hold for extended time on skins helping to deliver a parcel with exceptional length and depth with that long gentle extraction time on skins. In addition to this, we ferment parcels separately in open cement vats for 7-14 days. These parcels are pressed straight to oak, where they undergo malolactic fermentation and further maturation, before eventual barrel selection to decide the final Command blend. That is a big tasting complete with a plenty of robust discussion!
- Jules Ashmead & Brock Harrison

Alcohol: 14.9%

Aroma: Spiced red fruit with hints of spicy oak

Appearance: Deep crimson

Taste: A delicate balance of just ripe spiced plum and wooded berries. The tannin profile is very typical of our Command, subtle yet long, and there is a massive depth of tannin which speaks to our old vines nestled here in Nuriootpa, and the long ripening season they enjoyed.

Mouthfeel: Elegant, structured and powerful

Ageing Process: 24 months in new French and American oak puncheons

Drink now or cellar confidently for 15 - 20 years from vintage