Elderton Ode To Lorraine 2015
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Australian Wine
Companion -
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The Ode to Lorraine is a blend of the finest barrels of each of the Elderton Nuriootpa vineyard varietals. Each year, through meticulous work on the tasting bench, Winemaker Richard Lanford selects a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot which best reflects the nuances of each variety. The 2014 vintage is a blend of parcels, fermented in concrete open fermenters, with selected barrel ferments and press cuts, giving warm and generous fruit characters, spiciness and generous length, whilst still being a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend.
Professional Ratings
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Australian Wine Companion
A select barrel blend of each of the estate's Nurioopta-planted varieties, partially fermented in concrete and barrel with the addition of a judicious smattering of pressings, this is a complex jigsaw. Thankfully delicious given the effort, cabernet's voice rises uber alles with its potpourri of herbal berry notes and sagacious tannins, compressing the warm climate hedonism of the other parties into a nourishing whole. A rich phalanx of fruit and glossy structural attributes.
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James Suckling
This is in dangerously god form of 2015. Floras and fresh cassis with blue plums and blackberries. The freshness and depth here is impressive. A brilliant wine with a super long palate.
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Wine Spectator
The juicy and bright plum compote and cherry flavors at the core show wonderful purity, giving way to notes of clove, rosemary and violet, with spice, herb and cedar details lingering on the finish. The dense tannins are appealing but never get in the way. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Drink now through 2032
Other Vintages
2014-
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
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Robert
Parker -
Wilfred
Wong -
Wine
Spectator
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Robert
Parker
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Wine
Spectator
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Wine
Spectator
After time spent working in Saudi Arabia, Neil and Lorraine Ashmead, moved to the Barossa in 1979, after Lorraine’s father identified a beautiful home with potential. The Ashmeads believed this would be a great place to raise their family. The homestead, in the heart of the township of Nuriootpa, was surrounded by extremely old Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vines. At a time where demand for Australian table wine was negligible, the vineyard had become derelict. After years of no interest, the real estate agent eventually offered the Ashmeads the 72 acre vineyard as a bonus, as part of the sale of the homestead. Three years later, after restoring the vineyard, Elderton Wines was born.
The second generation, Cameron and Allister, took the reins of the business in 2003 and today work together to run Elderton Wines, with Lorraine still involved through her role on the Board. Cameron and Allister believe very strongly in continuing the traditions that began a generation earlier, on the Nuriootpa vineyard. Wanting to take the family company to the next level, they together devised a plan to buy great vineyards in other significant sub appellations of the Barossa. Through using sustainable practices, the hope is that the next generation of the Ashmead family have a lot to work with when they are at the helm.