Archetype Old Vine Reserve Shiraz 2005

Ar-che-type = An ideal example of a type, the quintessence. Deeply concentrated, this Reserve Shiraz owes its richness and character to the old vines on the property. It comes from extremely low yielding vines that average over 50 years in age and produce only a few clusters of grapes each. The result is unbelievable intensity.

Deeply concentrated and rich, our Reserve Shiraz reveals great fruit intensity. The old vines produce the blackberry, boysenberry, and plum aromas and flavors characteristic of classic Shiraz from the Barossa. The toasty oak is not shy, but is well-integrated, offering notes of mocha and coffee. On the palate, the wine is full and round with a lingering finish. This wine may be enjoyed now with apropriate foods, yet will become even more alluring with time.

Hand-harvested in the early morning, most of the fruit for our Reserve Shiraz comes from the low-yielding (1-2 tons/acre) Chateau Yaldara estate vineyard in the famed Barossa Valley. Additional fruit comes from three neighboring families who have been supplying top-quality grapes to Yaldara from their vineyards since the 1940s and 1950s — from 70-year old vines.