2002 Elderton Cabernet Sauvignon Ashmead Single Vineyard - Lot of 6 OWC

Dec 7, 2005
James Halliday
94
Dark, deep red-purple; medium to full-bodied blackcurrant, earth, dark chocolate and bramble fruit; persistent, ripe tannins; good French oak.



Dec 1, 2010
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
93
I was also given a peek at the development of the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Ashmead Elderton Estate. This wine has evolved beautifully, giving pronounced notes of cassis, red cherry and prunes with some spice, coffee and hints of moss and black olives. Full-bodied yet wonderfully elegant and balanced, the tannins here are still quite firm supporting the rich fruit with plenty of acid to enliven. This vintage is delicious now though should continue to cellar to 2016+. Although the property was purchased by their grandfather, brothers Al and Cameron Ashmead are really the second generation of Ashmeads at the Elderton helm since it was their parents Neil and Lorraine that rose to the challenge of developing this into one of the Barossa’s top wineries. The first Ashmead vintage was in 1982. The jewel here is the 8 acre estate vineyard planted in 1894 by Samuel Elderton Tolley (one of the largest 100+ year old vineyards on the planet) that produces the Command Shiraz, with the 66 year old Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard also giving exceptional fruit. Since 2003 they’ve had their own winery and now produce around 40-50000 cases per year with winemaker Richard Langford adeptly forging a range of predominately red wines from the good value end right up to the sought-after collectibles.Importer: John Larchet, The Australian Premium Wine Collection; www.tapwc.com.auImporter(s): Broadbent Selections, 17 S. Sheppard Street, Richmond, VA 23221, 804.353.1818, www.broadbent-wines.com



Oct 1, 2006
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
92
The single vineyard 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Ashmead is one of Barossa’s finest Cabernets. An inky/purple color is accompanied by notes of graphite, black currants, dried herbs, and cedar. Rich, full, layered, and impressively endowed, it possesses plenty of grip and tannin. It has handled its three-year aging in new oak beautifully. A connoisseur’s favorite, this 2002 should hit its prime in 3-5 years, and last for 15 or more. Imported by USA Wine West, San Rafael, CA;



Oct 1, 2005
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
94
Produced from a dry-farmed, 80-year-old vineyard, the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Ashmead is sensational. Its inky/purple color is followed by a big, sweet nose of vanillin, spice box, cedar, black currants, and flowers. Aged in a combination of 60% American and 40% French oak, it possesses supple tannin, concentrated fruit notes, and a well-delineated, pure, long finish. This young, promising Cabernet requires 2-3 more years of bottle age; it should last 15 or more. Imported by USA Wine West, San Rafael, CA;