Clarendon Hills
Astralis Syrah
Clarendon, Fleurieu, South Australia, Australia
Dense dark crimson, almost black in colour - opaque. Lots to unfurl on the nose with initial aromas of Tar, Black pepper, plum, black and blue fruits, dark chocolate and a herbal nuance. Densely packed and full bodied. Obviously the product of old vines. The vineyard was planted over a hundred years ago in 1920. One of those unique wines that has the ability to be full bodied and elegant at the same time. Never heavy, you could drink this all night. Still has latent energy at 16 years of age. An aristocratic Shiraz in company with the world’s finest. Jay Miller had an erudite comment when he said that the only competition for this wine comes from the likes of Guigal, Chapoutier, Chave, Krankl, and Ringland. I would be patriotic in addition to Chris Ringland, and include Peter Gago and Fraser McKinlay. Roman Bratasiuk is the winemaker of Astralis- which is made from a 4 hectare paddock in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale.
Dense dark crimson, almost black in colour - opaque. Lots to unfurl on the nose with initial aromas of Tar, Black pepper, plum, black and blue fruits, dark chocolate and a herbal nuance. Densely packed and full bodied. Obviously the product of old vines. The vineyard was planted over a hundred years ago in 1920. One of those unique wines that has the ability to be full bodied and elegant at the same time. Never heavy, you could drink this all night. Still has latent energy at 16 years of age. An aristocratic Shiraz in company with the world’s finest. Jay Miller had an erudite comment when he said that the only competition for this wine comes from the likes of Guigal, Chapoutier, Chave, Krankl, and Ringland. I would be patriotic in addition to Chris Ringland, and include Peter Gago and Fraser McKinlay. Roman Bratasiuk is the winemaker of Astralis- which is made from a 4 hectare paddock in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale.
Jun 23rd, 2021
Monthly WTF group recap. Theme this month was “bring something special”. Normally we taste all of the wines blind, but we decided to do a relaxed night with amazing wines at a great restaurant. Spectacular evening!
I’ve had a few Clarendon wines but never their Astralis. Time has been kind and has shed the baby fat off of this wine. It’s still ripe (slight hint of VA) with baked mixed berry pie, fig and Andes chocolate mint aromatics but it didn’t hit you in the face. Dense, but the 3-4hr slow ox softened the profile. The palate showed cherry liqueur and blackberry jam with notes of bay leaf and cinnamon. Only the faintest hints of herbal/savory notes showed on the finish.
Monthly WTF group recap. Theme this month was “bring something special”. Normally we taste all of the wines blind, but we decided to do a relaxed night with amazing wines at a great restaurant. Spectacular evening!
I’ve had a few Clarendon wines but never their Astralis. Time has been kind and has shed the baby fat off of this wine. It’s still ripe (slight hint of VA) with baked mixed berry pie, fig and Andes chocolate mint aromatics but it didn’t hit you in the face. Dense, but the 3-4hr slow ox softened the profile. The palate showed cherry liqueur and blackberry jam with notes of bay leaf and cinnamon. Only the faintest hints of herbal/savory notes showed on the finish.
Elegant and spicy with integrated oak, lively perfume and dark fruits, ripe but not overtly so. Nice tannins grip on the vivid finish.
Elegant and spicy with integrated oak, lively perfume and dark fruits, ripe but not overtly so. Nice tannins grip on the vivid finish.
1 person found it helpfulMay 4th, 2015
I was surprised by the weight and opulence of the fruit. Still soils in structure but also generous .
I was surprised by the weight and opulence of the fruit. Still soils in structure but also generous .
Apr 15th, 2016
A very impressive convict... Look, I'm English, so I can jab em every now and then. But for this example, I have to respect their gangster.
The nose is exotic with dominant barrel toast and cherry compote.
On the palette, it has a cab signature. Pepper is almost absent. It has a perfect weight, gliding across the tongue with maple syrup, sandalwood and mocha notes.
No signs of aging, this has the stuffing to glide on for 12 - 15 years, at least.
@Joe Lucca enjoy yours, as I recall, we purchased these together.
A very impressive convict... Look, I'm English, so I can jab em every now and then. But for this example, I have to respect their gangster.
The nose is exotic with dominant barrel toast and cherry compote.
On the palette, it has a cab signature. Pepper is almost absent. It has a perfect weight, gliding across the tongue with maple syrup, sandalwood and mocha notes.
No signs of aging, this has the stuffing to glide on for 12 - 15 years, at least.
@Joe Lucca enjoy yours, as I recall, we purchased these together.
A thicky but very nice.
A thicky but very nice.
Sep 11th, 2013
Youthful and yummy. Didn't strike me as particularly Barossa. Clearly great, but not a show stopper
Youthful and yummy. Didn't strike me as particularly Barossa. Clearly great, but not a show stopper
May 17th, 2016