Elderton Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 & 2015 Twin Vertical

 Like the Command block, which is an amazing resource to the Elderton Estate, the Ashmead block has consistently produced small parcels of excellent quality fruit. The vineyard was almost destroyed in 1997 to make way for higher yielding vines, however the family made the decision to promote the vineyard to a higher destiny – thus the Ashmead. The 2014 is the fifteenth release of this unparalleled wine, and is a superior example of Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon aged in a mix of new French oak hogsheads from about 8 different coopers. Elderton is not unfamiliar with premium Cabernet, having won more than 8 trophies for this varietal including the 1993 Jimmy Watson Trophy.

Estate grown on the Nuriootpa vineyard, the fruit is sourced from a single block planted circa 1944. Deep alluvial silt over red and brown earths and limestone near the banks of the North Para River allow the vines to grow deep roots and the vines therefore need minimal irrigation. The hand harvested fruit is fermented in open top concrete fermenters with chilled ferments, hand pumpovers and cap submerging with oak header boards for eight days; the process finished with barrel ferment and malolactic fermentation in new French oak. The nose shows dark chocolate and black fruits and olives, with the palate continuing the theme, showing these typical Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon characters, giving weight and generosity to the wine. Ripe tannins add structure while being supple and mouth watering. 

2014:

Vines planted '44. matured in French oak. Ripe fruits are rolled into a ball and the shutters haven't yet come up, but the tannin firm, and everything seems trained to evolve slowly. Classy oak offers flavours of chocolate and sawdust; the fruit rings with blackcurrant and boysenberry. Performance will be excellent, given time. - Campbell Mattinson 94+ Points"

2015:

"A deep crimson edging on opaque, this wine brims with cabernet's varietal stash of attributes: currant and a swag of dark plum, dried sage, bouquet garni and a gentle lilt of grassiness. At first gentle and massaged by the sheer density of flavour, the tannins-grape and classy French oak-grow in stature as the wine opens; with well handled acidity levels serving as an echo chamber, drawing the flavours back across the senses. While corpulent, this wine's sheer mass is impeccably tucked in at the seams. To be slowly unravelled by time. From vines planted in '44." 96 Points - Ned Goodwin MW, James Halliday Wine Companion 2018

1 750ml bottle each of 2014 and 2015.