Langmeil The Fifth Wave Grenache 2002
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2016-
James
Suckling
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker -
Wilfred
Wong
Langmeil is a blend of Barossa’s cultural beginnings and a family’s modern commitment to world-class, old vine winemaking. Once a trading village established in 1842, this remarkable place is a captivating pocket of Australia’s wine and vine history that is a must when visiting the Barossa.
Owned by the Lindner family, whose own mark on the Barossa spans six-generations of farming, food, community, and wine, Langmeil is renowned for its preservation of old vines and the making of distinguished wines from these cherished sites.
At the pinnacle of its winemaking is The Freedom 1843 Shiraz, made from what is understood to be the world’s oldest surviving shiraz vineyard believed planted in 1843 at the heart of this historical patch of Barossa earth.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.