Langmeil The 1843 Freedom Shiraz

Wine information: Langmeil's original vineyard, the Freedom, was planted in 1843 and survives to this day. Planted by Lutheran forebears who were escaping religious persecution and war in Prussia, just seven years after the state of South Australia was colonised. They came to their new homeland, from 'Persecution to Freedom', to worship and find peace in our beloved Barossa. The Freedom is Langmeil's first and foremost vineyard. A small block of Shiraz planted by Christian Auricht and his family in 1843, not only survive, but thrive on the banks of the North Para River, adjacent to our winery. Since the Bitter and Lindner families re-established the abandoned vineyards and winery in 1996, they have vinified the Freedom 1843 separately from other Shiraz at Langmeil. These thick trunked, dry grown, low yielding, gap toothed old vines, which are believed to be the oldest surviving Shiraz in Australia, are guided through the cellars by fifth generation family winemaker, Paul Lindner. Made in a very traditional way; hand picking flavour ripe bunches, gentle crushing, open fermentation and basket pressing into new (77%) and older (23%) French Oak barriques for two years, intended to preserve the integrity of the Freedom 1843 vineyard.

Tasting Notes: Langmeil The 1843 Freedom Shiraz is intense crimson with purple hues and a very rich nose of blueberry, mulberry and blood plum with hints of violets and subtle biscuit, vanilla and cedary French oak characters. The fruitfulness flows onto the palate which is extremely rich and full, balanced with lashings of fine but firm grape and oak tannins. A wine with youthful austerity and an incredibly long and fruitful finish.

Reviews: "The 2005 Shiraz “1843 Freedom” comes from a dry-grown vineyard planted in 1843 which is believed to be the oldest surviving pre-phylloxera Shiraz vines in Australia. The wine was aged for 24 months in 70% new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Purple-colored, it gives up a sexy perfume of pain grille, smoke, violets, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Surprisingly light on its feet, the wine is full-flavored, opulent, and very long. Give it 5-7 years to blossom fully and drink this hedonistic effort through 2025." 94 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

 
     

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