95 points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
Vibrant deep crimson/mahogany. Rose petals, chocolate, mulberries, florals, blueberries, cassis and milk chocolate. The oak is deftly handled and leaves the wine with the impression of a silky texture, serious length and the finest of satiny tannins. Very much in the style of a Barossa classic. Everything is in place to ensure that further glories are revealed in the coming years. Drink now–2040"
95 points - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
Gorgeous, medium bodied Shiraz from Elderton’s Greenock vineyard with vines between 34 and 69 years old. The wine has an earthy minerality evident on the nose before it heads into the balanced medium weight palate. This is a bright wine of great intensity and energy. It has a beautiful balance of fine grained French oak, fine chalky tannins and thoughtfully delicious red berry fruit. Terrific wine.
95 points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Elderton’s founder, Neil Ashmead, who sadly passed away far too early in 1997, will remember what a force of nature he was. One suspects he would have been absolutely delighted with this wine, a force of nature itself. From vines planted back in 1954 in Nuriootpa and 1980 in Greenock, it was first released in 2008. For this release, 16% whole bunches were included in the fermentation and the wine spent fourteen months maturing in French oak puncheons, 45% of them new. The colour here is a vibrant deep crimson/mahogany, while the nose exhibits rose petals, chocolate, mulberries, florals, blueberries, cassis and milk chocolate. The oak is deftly handled and leaves the wine with the impression of a silky texture, serious length and the finest satiny tannins imaginable. This is a wine for enjoying any time over the next ten to fifteen years. Love it.
95 points - JamesSuckling.com
A well-rounded, balanced and textural shiraz with aromas of crushed blackberries, fresh black pepper and warm herbs. It's full-bodied with velvety tannins. A dense core of berries and chocolate with a long, vivid, peppery and flavorful finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
94 points - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
There's a lovely high-toned, raspberry-flecked aspect to this year's release with finely-honed satsuma plum, boysenberry and mulberry fruits beneath. Plenty of spicy, dark chocolate, tapenade, pan juices and earthy tones, too. It sits at the lighter end of full-bodied; there's space here and an effortless sense of drinkability that will win over many an imbiber. Nice one.
93 points - David Sly, Decanter
Cheeky and affable, this is Shiraz with an engaging red-fruited smile but also some boisterous black-fruited muscle. Sourced from vines aged from 34 to 69 years at two sites, in Greenock and Nuriootpa, this combines separate personalities in a seamless meld. Whole bunch additions add a blueberry note to the lively aromas, with the front palate showing cherry framed by oak-influenced vanilla, before an added savoury note arrives in the shadow of weighty blackberry in the deep recesses of the mid palate. Matured for 16 months in French oak puncheons, it has both drive and balance.
93 points - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
The 2023 Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz hails from a cool, wet season not too dissimilar to 2017, if you wanted a comparison. The fruit is from vines grown in both Nuriootpa (69 years old) and Greenock (34 years old). Aromatically, the wine leads with strawberries and cherries, raspberries and pink peppercorns. In the mouth, the wine is fine and medium-bodied at best. This matured in French oak (40% new now, down from a much higher proportion in its first vintage in 2008), with some whole bunches in there, all of this making for a spicy, supple wine. It's really good. The vintage may have played into the hands of the style here—it all works cohesively.
93 points - Aaron Brasher, Real Review
Bright and youthful in the glass. Complex aromas of dark cherry, satsuma plum, dried herbs, spice, white pepper, cola, blackberry and bramble. Dark fruited, powerful and concentrated. Mulberry, plum, nutty oak, mocha and sweet spice are all at play. The tannins are firm, shapely and drying and the acidity delivers crunch and snap
92 points - Angus Hughson, Vinous
This pretty and evocative 2023 Shiraz Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer is well made and opens with beautifully pitched floral, five-spice and red cherry aromas. It’s fleshy yet manicured, with finer tannins that provide good support for enjoyment over the medium term.
