Orphan Bank Shiraz
2016
Chief Winemaker Paul Lindner aims to produce world class wines using Langmeil's own individual style while taking advantage of the distinctive hallmarks of the Barossa. Langmeil ensures that all vineyard sources offer variety as well as the highest quality. Techniques and Philosophies Paul has a passion for utilizing old world and new world technology, minimal handling and filtration techniques, to ensure the full potential of the fruit is captured, resulting in fruit driven wines with subtle...
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With the dry winter and a slightly warmer spring, favourable flowering and fruit set, yields were generally little above average.. Followed by mild, late summer weather, both growers and winemakers were happy to see another solid vintage tucked away. By early March 70% of harvest was complete and with another sprinkling of rain, vintage slowed, building flavour in the late-ripening varieties like Grenache and Mataro. This vintage highlights how tenacious and robust grape vines are, producing good yields and high quality in a dry season (but they cannot sustain dry conditions forever). Fortunately, a more normal winter this year with much-needed rain is refilling the soil and water resources.
Gentle destemming, open fermentation, basket pressing and two years' maturation in French oak barrels accentuate the natural fruit intensity and structure.
A rich bouquet of red and blue fruits, herbs and cedar, entwine with hints of sage, chocolate and savoury notes. Rich and juicy raspberry and Satsuma plum fill the mouth, with allspice sweetness adding to the mouthfeel. The fruit is well balanced with hints of briary spice and textural, fine-grained tannins on the lengthy finish.
Vines planted 1860, 10 rows relocated after 150 years; basket-pressed, open-fermented, matured for 2 years in French oak. Unsurprisingly rich and layered blackberry/blackcurrant fruit with notes of earth and licorice, yet all this comes in a measured way. Excellent oak and tannin balance.
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In 2006, Langmeil saved 10 rows of pre-1860s Shiraz from the developer’s bulldozer. He replanted the ‘orphans’ (which share a common ancestry with Langmeil’s Freedom 1843 block, the world’s oldest surviving Shiraz vines) in their new home alongside the original Langmeil vineyard on the banks of the North Para river. For Orphan Bank, the 2012’s mix of 78% Barossa Valley and 22% Eden Valley fruit, from vineyards averaging 88 years of age, was matured in 50% new and 50% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 24 months. Justin Knock MW: Perfumed aromatics, warm spices, grilled meat juices, easy blue fruits, fine salty tannins. A lovely wine, very much a Rhône style in a positive way. Multiple touchpoints of complexity. Tina Gellie: Savoury olive nose, seductive exotic spices and stewed plum red fruit aromas. Graceful and supple, lovely weight and body, more on the delicate side than some. Drinking beautifully. Roger Jones: Spiced, fresh, zippy acidity, dark but clean berries, perfumed and lingering. Fragrant, silky-smooth, elegant and refined.
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A very rich and classically styled shiraz that has a big, blackberry and red-plum fruit statement on the nose with chocolate and toasted spices. The palate is deep, plush and very vibrant with intense plum and blackberry flavors.
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Savoury tobacco and cocoa aromas, with dried red plum notes and ripe tannins. Developing nicely, with a lovely texture.
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Produced from 10 rows of vines planted pre-1860 that were about to be bulldozed, but saved and replanted at Langmeil, matured for 23 months in French hogsheads (40% new). Curiously 83% Barossa Valley, 17% Eden Valley. It's full-bodied, and the fruit flavours are slightly blurred by the alcohol.
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Some deep earthy aromas, as well as sweet-spiced oak and a layer of dark mulberries and plums. The palate is supple with a dollop of fleshy red fruit in the mid-palate, as well as long and fluid tannins...
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There's a distinct style happening at Langmeil—the fruit is supple and polished, always. This 2019 Orphan Bank Shiraz is littered with bright summer raspberries and exotic spice and shaped by sophisticated tannins. This is a beautiful wine. Concentrated and lush, it will live
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