The extreme age of the vines (oldest in SA) manifests itself as much in the length as the depth of the wine but also manages to carry the alcohol; medium-bodied and highly polished tannins after two years in 70% new French oak.

The 2005 Shiraz "1843 Freedom" comes from a dry-grown vineyard planted in 1843 which is believed to be the oldest surviving pre-phylloxera Shiraz vines in Australia. The wine was aged for 24 months in 70% new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Purple-colored it gives up a sexy perfume of pain grille smoke violets blueberry and blackberry liqueur. Surprisingly light on its feet the wine is full-flavored opulent and very long. Give it 5-7 years to blossom fully and drink this hedonistic effort through 2025. -Jay Miller