Winemaker's Notes:
2005 followed a vintage that many thought would rank highly in the decade and the chances of an 'odd year' standing over such a vintage seemed remote. But with a wet winter providing the sustenance and a mild, dry summer following, Elderton fruit showed excellent development, particularly old vine harvests. The vintage was later than normal with the last pick of the Command block being on April 11th. This long ripening period, partnered with cool submerged-cap ferments in the winery, has allowed the fruit to shine through (over the 30+ months of oak maturation) and is testament to the power of flavor produced from our oldest Shiraz vines.

Critical acclaim:
"Elderton’s flagship is the single vineyard Command Shiraz, a wine with serious aging potential, and one with which all other South Australia Shiraz must be compared. The opaque purple/black 2005 Command Shiraz was aged in French and American oak puncheons (500-liter barrels). It offers up a sexy/kinky bouquet of wood smoke, lavender, leather, game, mineral, black raspberry, and blueberry pie. Voluptuous on the palate, complex, and dense, it demands a decade of cellaring after which it should offer hedonists much pleasure through 2035. "

97 Points
The Wine Advocate
"Firm in texture, with beautifully poised blackberry, licorice and pepper flavors that seem to hover weightlessly over fine tannins, lingering enticingly on the long, expressive finish. Best from 2011 through 2017. 1,400 cases imported. "

94 Points
Wine Spectator
"Inky ruby color. Vibrant raspberry, cherry-vanilla and coconut aromas are complemented by candied licorice and smoky minerals. Pliant, palate-coating red and dark berry preserve flavors are perked up by Asian spices and smoky minerals. Pretty exotic but not over the top, with gentle tannins adding shape and focus to the long, sweet finish. This is downright sexy today."

94 Points
International Wine Cellar
"Lavish 34 months in American (dominant) and French oak has resulted in an army greatcoat of oak wrapped around the undeniably good fruit, the latter giving the palate length."

90 Points
James Halliday

Review

Opaque purple-colored, this Shiraz has fabulous aromatics of smoke, melted tar, licorice, espresso, game, and blueberry compote. Layered but tight, this full-bodied wine is thick, rich, and totally hedonistic. The finish lasts for 60 seconds. However, be warned. This monumental Shiraz needs 10-15 years to fully unfold. It will provide pleasure through 2035. 98 points Jay Miller – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

Technical notes

"Elderton Wines is a small, family-owned winery, situated in the heart of Australia’s Barossa Valley that has shot to world acclaim producing some of Australia’s most highly regarded shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. The second generation of the Ashmead family, brothers: Cameron and Allister now run the winery day to day and are passionate about producing wines that are balanced, varietally correct and classic in nature." "Elderton Wines is a small, family owned and operated winery, situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley. The Elderton vineyard which was planted in 1904 by Samuel Elderton Tolley, was purchased by the Ashmead family in the late 1970's and started producing labelled bottled estate wine from the 1982 harvest. It was well after a decade of hard work and toil that the winery shot to prominence in the early 1990's, after winning the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy at the 1993 Melbourne Wine Show. There has been an amazing amount of further wine show successincluding the World’s Best Shiraz Trophy at the 2000 London International Wine & Spirits Competition. Elderton has also enjoyed being the darling of the worlds wine press, with great endorsements given by James Halliday, Robert Parker, The Wine Spectator Magazine as well as countless others. Furthermore, in 2005, Elderton was named in the Top 100 Wineries in the World by Wine & Spirit Magazine. The real strength behind the Elderton success is the ancient 72 acre Barossa Floor Vineyard, which produces fruit of the highest quality year in year out. Each block on the property is cherished but the two standouts are the 104-year-old Command Shiraz block and the 64-year-old Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon block. The wines of Elderton are enjoyed worldwide for their amazing qualities which come through from varietal character, regional definition and the unique and robust personalities of the Elderton team. In 2008, Elderton will celebrate our 27th vintage as a winery and the Ashmeads still believe that the best is yet to come." *Information retrieved from http://www.eldertonwines.com.au/#