2006 Grampians Langi Shiraz

A bit raisined, tight black fruit, firm yet smooth. Liquorice and aniseed. Large without obesity, and with the typical spice fragrance. (RH)

Glass-staining ruby. Intense aromas of blackberry and cherry compote, with complicating notes of sassafras, licorice and dried violet. Spicy and focused on entry, then fleshier in the middle, offering sweet black and blue fruit flavors and a strong note of candied flowers. Finishes with excellent sappy intensity, echoing the floral note. This will age.

The Langi Shiraz is made exclusively from the old 1964 block. Receiving less than 40% new oak and with some whole bunches used, Dan Buckle doesn’t worry about power and weight – he is looking for finesse and structure. The 2006 Langi Shiraz displays a very deep garnet black color and a fragrant nose of kirsch and crushed wild blueberries with some eucalyptus, black pepper and cigar box. Full-bodied with medium to high acid and a medium to firm level of fine tannins, this wine is still a little tight. It should be drinking best from 2014 to 2025+. Mount Langi Ghiran is out there – literally. It’s location in the heart of the Grampians is incredibly remote and has a far cooler growing season than many might imagine until you consider it is placed at an altitude of around 350 meters. Amongst the ancient granite mountains of this region, the vineyards were originally planted in 1964, establishing this estate as one of Australia’s leaders of cool climate Shiraz. “Mount Langi Ghiran looks to go beyond young fruity wines. White and black pepper here are common to the style,” winemaker Dan Buckle informed me, confirming what my palate had been telling me from many years of appreciating their flagship Langi Shiraz. Importer: Rathbone Wine Group, USA; www.fsfw.com.au