Elderton Ode to Lorraine Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2021

The winemaking team at Elderton believe this is truly the hidden gem in the Elderton portfolio of premium reds. A Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot blend was added to our portfolio from the 1992 vintage. It was a belief that through blending only the best parcels of fruit from the Elderton vineyard, a truly wondrous and complete wine could be made that showed the highlights of the three grape varieties.

The decision was made from the 2002 vintage onwards for the wine to be renamed (from CSM) in honour of co-founder of Elderton Wines, Lorraine Ashmead. This wine is dedicated to a woman who is greatly admired in the Barossa for her passion, dedication and commitment to not only Elderton, but to all the wondrous things our beautiful valley produces.

Estate grown on the Nuriootpa vineyard, with deep alluvial silt over red and brown earths and limestone. The fruit is sourced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot blocks planted between 1964 and 2017.

2021 came as a welcome relief after the dry years prior. Elderton vineyards received decent winter rains and aside from a very mild frost in September 2020, the growing season continued without fault. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, the backbone of this wine, has the most distinctive characters of dried sage and cassis which in the exceptional years is truly amazing. Their Shiraz comes from two parcels, which were fermented using a combination of heading boards and open fermentation. Incorporating a portion of barrel fermentation whilst ensuring best integration of oak.

The final blend (51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Shiraz, 4% Merlot) was assembled prior to bottling ensuring the Cabernet Sauvignon tannin structure, being assertive and long, was balanced with the fruit drive and density of the old vine Shiraz and a touch of spice and softness from the Merlot. Jules Ashmead & Brock Harrison - Winery Notes