Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah 2004

Professional Ratings

• 98 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  One of Australia’s most prodigious Syrahs, Clarendon Hills’ 2004 Syrah Astralis is fashioned from vines planted in 1920, and spends time in 100% new French oak from the cooper, Cadus. It boasts off the charts intensity as well as an opaque purple color, and notes of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, roasted coffee beans, pepper, smoke, and a hint of sweet toasty oak. This full-bodied, rich, intense, backward Syrah needs 2-3+ hours in the decanter if one is going to approach it at this point in its life. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040+.
• 98 Wine Enthusiast
  The 2004 is a stunner, yielding up scents of flowers and spice, framed by hints of vanillin oak. It's dense and amply textured in the mouth, packed with wonderfully expressive blackberry and blueberry fruit. A tour de force of Australian winemaking.
• 97 Wine Spectator
  Deep, dense and brooding. A smoky, thick Shiraz that feels open and welcoming as the finish expands and persists. Cherry, chocolate and espresso notes mingle harmoniously and hint at loamy earth as the finish sails on and on. Best from 2010 through 2020. 500 cases imported.
• 94 James Suckling

  Good yields and a more moderate vintage. This has aged well and carries a meaty and earthy edge, as well as dried mushroom, forest wood and leaves. Some cocoa and dark cherry, too. The palate has a super plush feel with fleshy, ripe blackberry fruit framed in spicy oak. Smooth, open finish. Drink or hold.