Colonial Estate Exile Shiraz 2002

Produced from a dry-farmed, single vineyard of old vine Shiraz (some of which are 120 years old), the stunning, inky/purple-tinged 2002 Shiraz Exile was aged in 100% new French oak. A sweet nose of black fruits, flowers, melted licorice, and espresso roast precedes a wine of amazing concentration, compelling intensity, and a tremendous finish of more than 60 seconds. Although expensive, readers must take into consideration the age of the vines as well as the limited production. This exquisite Shiraz is approachable, but promises to hit its peak in 3-5 years, and last for two decades. Kudos read more...to proprietor Jonathan Malthus for his work in the Barossa. -Wine Advocate 75% Shiraz, 20% Mourvedre and 5% Grenache. In the middle 1800's the Lange family settled from Bavaria in the Barossa Valley. The vineyard that they decided to plant was just off the main road of Nuriootpa. The vines have been dry grown since then and the grapes have gone into the great and good of Australia including ‘Grange'. Like ‘Chateau Haut-Brion' the town has grown up around it and it is now an oasis of a vineyard with houses surrounding it. Exile is 100% sourced from the ‘Lange' Vineyard, now a part of The Colonial Estate. The single-vineyard wine is made up of old vine Shiraz with some Mourvedre and Muscadelle. The age of some of these vines date back to the 1800's. The wine is made in the French fashion - low cropping aided by green harvesting, handpicking into trays, and double-triage on arrival at the winery. The wooden vats - shipped from Cognac in France -appear incongruous in their setting. The wine is picked ripe and, after vinification, poured into pure new French oak. Exile manifests itself as a rush of substance, power, flavour, and length, but with an underpinning definition and elegance.    (hide)

Rating: 95/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 161 on Oct-05

Rating: 98/100 - As reviewed by The Wine Advocate

Rating: 98/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 155 on Oct-04