Elderton Wines is a small, family-owned winery, situated in the heart of Australia’s Barossa Valley. The Elderton vineyards were first planted in 1894 by early German settlers and in 4979 the Ashmead family purchased the property and has since worked tirelessly to salvage and restore their treasured vineyards. Elderton shot to world acclaim after producing some of Australia’s most highly regarded Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Today, the vision of the founders shines through, and Elderton is celebrated as a major reason for the rejuvenation of the Barossa. The winery is currently helmed by the second generation of the Elderton family, brothers Cameron and Allister, with Cameron’s wife Jules Ashmead heading the winemaking team.
E Series Chardonnay
Barossa Valley
Harvest & Vintage Notes
E Series wines are of premium quality with their roots firmly set in the Barossa and its surroundings. Designed to be affordable everyday drinking wines, but a little enhanced. Hence the E. 100% Chardonnay, 100% clean, 100% crisp. Peach, melon, acidity.
Scores
TBA
E Series Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon
Barossa Valley
Harvest & Vintage Notes
Generally 70% or so Shiraz and aged in old American oak puncheons, this E Series embodies the E: excellent, earth, elegance, enjoy. Plum, cherry, vanilla.
Scores
2017 Wine Spectator 90
Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon
Barossa Valley
Harvest & Vintage Notes
The Ashmead's 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon won the prestigious Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy in 1993. This 100% Estate wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from old vines in Greenock, low yielding vines in Nuriootpa, and higher elevation vines in Craneford. Fermented in open top concrete and 24 months in older French oak hogsheads and puncheons. Cassis, licorice, dried herbs.
Scores
2021 James Suckling 92 - November 2022
2021 The Wine Front 91 - September 2022
2020 James Suckling 92 - November 2022
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Valley
Harvest & Vintage Notes
These Estate vines range in age from 25 years old to 124 years old. Coming from different parcels amongst Elderton's three vineyard sites, the difference in ripening from different aspects, elevation, and soil types allows for the most complex 100% Shiraz. 24 months in two and three year old American puncheons. Dark plum, chocolate, spice.
Scores
2017 Wine Spectator 90
2017 James Halliday 92
2018 James Suckling 91
Ode to Lorraine
Barossa Valley
Harvest & Vintage Notes
Starting out as simply CSM in 1992, this wine was renamed in 2002 as a tribute to co-founder, mother, and grandmother extraordinaire Lorraine Ashmead. All from the Nuriootpa vineyard with soils of deep alluvial silt, red and brown earths, and limestone. 31 to 101 year old vines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot. Plum, forest, cocoa.
Scores
2015 Wine Advocate 92
2015 James Halliday 96
2015 James Suckling 94
Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon
Barossa Valley
Harvest & Vintage Notes
Planted in the Nuriootpa vineyard in 1944 near the banks of the North Para River. That proximity allows for deep roots to grow in alluvial soils without the need for much irrigation, if at all. Open top concrete for fermentation and then aged for 18 months in French oak hogsheads and puncheons. Blackberry, dark chocolate, bay leaf.
Scores
2016 James Halliday 96
2017 Wine Spectator 92
2017 James Halliday 95
Command Shiraz
Barossa Valley
Harvest & Vintage Notes
This globally acknowledged, award winning Shiraz is the flagship of the Estate. 123 year old vines from the Command vineyard in Nuriootpa which is classified as an Ancestor vineyard by the Barossa Old Vine Charter. Fermented in open top concrete and aged in new American and French oak puncheons. Ripe berries, spice, elegant.
Scores
2017 Decanter 92
Fifteen Shiraz
Barossa Valley
Harvest & Vintage Notes
These Shiraz vines were planted in 1915 in Greenock. The Ashmead's were able to buy this single vineyard in 2010. Only produced in exceptional vintages and generally around 300 bottles made. Fermented in 1500 liter barrels and then spends 'a couple of winters in our favorite French oak barrels'. Ripe dark fruit, powerful, earthy.
Scores
2013 Wine Advocate 97
Golden Semillon
Barossa Valley
Harvest & Vintage Notes
Planted in Greenock in 1915, along with Fifteen Shiraz, this perfectly balanced Semillon is not made every year, only in the best of years. Once the berries are desiccated on the vines, they are hand harvested, and then undergo a long and slow fermentation. All stainless steel. Honey, candied citrus, marmalade.
Scores
2019 James Halliday 93