Events

Elderton and d’Arenberg tasting
May 2005

Fort importer organized a tasting of Elderton and d’Arenberg wines with representatives of these widely known South-Australian wineries.

Elderton is one of the oldest wineries in Barossa with over a 100 years of history. It was bought by the Ashmead family in 1979. The most renowned wine is Command Shiraz, first created in 1982. Main grown varieties are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The age of the vineyards is between 40 and 100 years. Two years ago a new winery was built in Elderton and now all wines are estate produced and bottled.

The tasting featured red varietal Elderton wines — Merlot 2000, Shiraz 2002 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, as well as a very attractive blend of Cabernet, Shiraz and Merlot CSM 2000 with fresh minty aromas. Plus two top wines which do not need special introduction — Command Shiraz 2001 and Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon 2001. All wines were united by the Elderton style: powerful, but elegant, not oppressive, with good acidity that makes them nice partners for food.

d’Arenberg’s philosophy lies in ‘art of being different’. The story began in 1912 in McLaren Vale, and it owes its current cult status to d’Arry (Francis d’Arenberg Osborn) and his son Chester, a chief winemaker at present. d’Arenberg built its reputation on powerful, long living reds, although their whites are worth a praise, too.

The following wines were offered for tasting. The Hermit Crab 2004 is an aromatic white made of Viognier and Marsanne, The Footbolt Shiraz 2002 is a varietal wine with good acidity and bright spicy finish, The Galvo Garage 2002 is made in Bordeaux style from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, Coppermine Road 2002 is a top reserve Cabernet, elegant and gastronomic, and Vintage Fortified Shiraz 2002 is an unusual sweet wine with expressive floral nose and nice mineral taste.