A mixed six of wine and whiskey. Five cracking vintages of a Langton's Classified icon plus a beloved bourbon. An iconic Astralis Syrah vertical and E.H. Taylor Bourbon Whiskey, this is premium value-for-money.
This case includes one bottle of each of the following:
1x CLARENDON HILLS Astralis Syrah, McLaren Vale 2013
1x CLARENDON HILLS Astralis Syrah, McLaren Vale 2014
1x CLARENDON HILLS Astralis Syrah, McLaren Vale 2015
1x CLARENDON HILLS Astralis Syrah, McLaren Vale 2016
1x CLARENDON HILLS Astralis Syrah, McLaren Vale 2017
1x E.H. TAYLOR Small Batch Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 50% ABV, Kentucky NV
Volatile spring, leading to a lower-yielding vintage. This has very complex aromas of exotic spices with graphite and dark plums, as well as black tea, iodine, white pepper and some redder plum, too. The palate has a striking level of concentration of rich red plums and blackberries. Super-fine, long tannins hold so long. Powerful. Very youthful. Drink over the next decade or more.
97 points, JamesSuckling.com (November 2021)
Dark and inky red, this monumentally proportioned wine has all the hallmarks of a classic Astralis, the bouquet with an endless array of detail. The palate is plush and expansive with layer upon layer of inky fruit and powerful tannins. Needless to say, exceptionally long and powerful.
96 points, Wine Companion (March 2016)
Cola, dried spices, menthol and blueberry notes all appear on the nose of the 2014 Astralis Syrah. A massive yet approachable wine, it's full-bodied and creamy-textured, with a rich, velvety finish that picks up awesome savory notes of anise, cracked pepper and roasted meat. It's simply a terrific wine that may be drunk soon or held up to two decades.
97 points, Wine Advocate (September 2018)
It takes richness and ripeness to extremes and yet it's elegant, controlled and long. It's precision engineering in wine form. The thrust of dark fruit, the sleek veneer of cedary, smoky oak, the attention-to-detail evident everywhere you look.
96 points, Wine Companion (February 2018)
The fitting capstone to what was a terrific vintage for Clarendon Hills, the 2015 Astralis Syrah is destined to become a McLaren Vale legend. Remarkably precise, complex and pristine aromas of anise, pepper, mint and blueberries lead the way. They're followed by a full-bodied yet impeccably ripe palate that's dense and concentrated yet supple, leading into a velvety, nearly endless finish. Wow. Drink Date 2022 - 2040.
100 points, Wine Advocate (September 2018)
A warm, ripe and healthy vintage. Expressive red berry and poached plum, as well as chocolate, clove and some licorice and fresh berry coulis. Hints of rust, terra cotta, sandalwood and orange zest, too. Primary and complex, this is very exotic. The palate has such intense tannin that carries plenty of rich fruit flavor. Powerful with plenty of extract, this has a long future. Drink over the next decade or more.
97 points, JamesSuckling.com (November 2021)
The flagship 2016 Syrah Astralis checks as all Syrah that comes from a single vineyard planted in 1920 on more gravelly, clay, and iron-laced soils. Brought up in 90% new French oak, it has a classic, almost restrained bouquet of pure Shiraz goodness, including ripe blackberry and blueberry fruits intermixed with notes of charred meat, rendered bacon fat, crushed violets, and pepper. Beautifully balanced and full-bodied, it's a Shiraz that seems to have one foot in Côte Rôtie and one foot in the McLaren Vale. It's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 20-30 years. It's the real deal and an incredible expression of Syrah.
98 points, Wine Advocate (March 2021)
A warm, early harvest. This really intense shiraz has such exotic and complex style with aromas of red plum, pomegranate, blackberry and sandalwood, as well as sweeter florals and graphite. Really dynamic. The palate has almost impenetrable density with high extract and long, ripe dark-fruit flavors. Dark-chocolate finish. Still a pup. Try from 2024.
98 points, JamesSuckling.com (November 2021)
From a cooler, wetter vintage. This shows a spicy and gently creamy edge to the nose with ripe red and dark plums on offer, as well as blueberries and blackberries. Berry pastry, too. The palate has a smoothly composed feel with plush, seamless tannins carrying ripe blackberries, blueberries and dark plums, as well as spiced chocolate and espresso. Try from 2024.
96 points, JamesSuckling.com (November 2021)
