Elderton Ode to Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot 2014

A Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot blend was added to the Elderton portfolio from the 1992 vintage. It was a belief that through blending only the best parcels of fruit from the Elderton vineyard, a truly wondrous and complete wine could be made that showed the highlights of the three grape varieties. The decision was made from the 2002 vintage onwards for it to be renamed (from CSM) in honour of the co founder of Elderton, Lorraine Ashmead. The winemaking team at Elderton believe this is truly the hidden gem in the Elderton portfolio of premium reds.

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, we select 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. - Richard Langford

A wine defined by the thrust of Barossan density and the tenacious vinosity of older vines, finely tuned to the parry of chalky tannins, tangy acidity and a deft hand across the extraction regime. In all, a lighter shade. Plums of all types, pastille, a potpourri of herbs and the pull of mint, all play a part in a wine that leaves a resounding impression of elegance despite the stamp of generosity that is, no matter how we paint it, the mark of Barossa. 95 pts - James Halliday