97 points - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
This was one of the better vintages in the Barossa in recent years, and this excellent wine illustrates this perfectly. The vine age from this Nuriootpa vineyard owned by the Ashmead family is about 130 years, and it really does pump out some quite remarkable fruit. In this case, on the nose, you get fairly typical plums with a liberal dusting of spices and a slightly vanilla pod character, reflecting the American oak influence. The palate, though, reveals a slightly different context with red berries augmenting the natural plumminess, and a little creamy chocolate. The tannins are fine and quite chalky, and the oak, which is new American puncheons, sits very neatly within such a plush fruit environment. Outstanding wine. Score: 97/100 Cellar: 20 years
96 points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
Made from ancestor vines from Block 19 of the family vineyards at Nuriootpa, the wine spent fourteen months maturing in new American oak.
A deep maroon colour, it is immediately obvious that there is serious power behind this wine. It is approachable and generous with aromas weaving through mocha, blackberries, coffee beans, chocolate, cassis, dried herbs, aniseed and soy. There is still considerable oak evident here, but it is quality oak and integration is proceeding well. The wine is seamless from start to finish with a plush and seductive texture, through to silky tannins. There is good focus and seriously impressive length. An utterly compelling example of a cracking Barossa Shiraz. Fifteen to twenty years without a hiccup lies ahead. 96 Points.
95 Points - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
The 2024 Ashmead Family Reserve Ancestor Vine Shiraz is from the Command block of the Nuriootpa vineyard. The wine is only made in years deemed to be excellent or distinct, and the last time this wine was made was in the great 2021 vintage. The wine is matured in 100% American oak, and the vines were planted in 1894. While the oak is evident, the fruit is so concentrated that it works well in concert. There are notes of coconut shavings, intense dark blood plum fruit, mulberry, licorice, vanilla pod, sweet roasted marrow. This is a superb wine. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. 95 Points
