Langmeil The Freedom 1843 Shiraz 2021

Product Information:
The Freedom 1843 Shiraz from Langmeil is considered to have been planted in 1843 by a wine grower named Christian Auricht. Auricht, who was seeking refuge from war and persecution in Prussia, migrated to the Barossa Valley and found freedom there. The original plantings still exist and are among the world's oldest and rarest vines. The Freedom 1843 Shiraz has been lauded by wine critics and was re-classified in the prestigious Langton's Classification VII honour roll in the 'Outstanding' category, which describes "The best of Australian winemaking practices, vineyard provenance and regional voice." This is 100% Shiraz from 178+ year old ancestor vines. It  matures in 46% new and 54% seasoned French oak hogsheads and barriques for twenty-six months.

Super intense aroma of ripe Satsuma plum, herbal and savoury notes combine with hints of cedar and sweet spices. This wine is rich, sweet fruited with a wonderful balance. With briary and sweet spices and lovely, silky tannins. Delicious.

Maker:
Langmeil Winery has a rich history dating back to 1842, when Christian Auricht established one of the Barossa's first trading villages on the banks of the North Para River and named it Langmeil. Auricht had migrated from Prussia in 1838 seeking religious freedom for his family in the new world. He established a smithy and began tending a mixed farm and in 1843 he planted one acre of Shiraz vines on the estate, which is still producing fruit today. The vineyard is believed to be the oldest surviving Shiraz vineyard in the world and is now the source of Langmeil's icon wine, The Freedom 1843 Shiraz. The winery changed hands several times over the years and in 1996, three local mates collaborated to purchase and restore the property. They revived the old vineyard and named it The Freedom and Langmeil's first harvest from the vineyard was in 1997. Today, Langmeil is family-owned and internationally recognized as one of the Barossa's premium wine producers. The winery attracts visitors from all over the world to its cellar door and the restored village grounds. Langmeil's commitment to making wines that express and embrace the unique characteristics of the Barossa high country is evident in its custodianship of the historic Eden Valley vineyard, which is home to the Pure Eden Shiraz vineyard and the single vineyard old vine Wattle Brae Riesling and High Road Chardonnay. 

Vineyard:
The outstanding 2021 vintage is up there as one of my favourites. Sufficient winter rains revitalised the vines after two consecutive dry, frost-affected and low-yielding years. Spring was near perfect for budburst, flowering and fruit set, enabling vines to flourish and reach their full potential. Summer was gorgeous and mild with slow and even ripening, fantastic colour and flavour development, and acid retention. Finally, an unhurried harvest reduced pressure on fermenter space, cellar hands, and of course the winemaker's sanity. As a result, the 2021 old vines have captured the personality and quality of every vineyard.

Nose - Satsuma Plum, Cedar, Sweet Spices
Big Barossa bouquet of forest-floor, graphite, red earth and tar, with smoky oak.

Palate - Sweet Fruit, Briary, Full-Bodied
The lavish tannins are supple and balanced, and there is regional pepper, too.

Finish - All Spice, Peppery, Fruity Finish
Allspice flowing through to the lengthy, peppery, fruity finish. Sumptuous!

Very deep red-purple colour with a hugely complex regional Barossa bouquet of forest-floor, graphite, ironstone and tar, with smoky oak nuances and the flavour is decadently rich, fleshy and concentrated. The lavish tannins are supple and balanced, and there is regional pepper, too. A sumptuous wine of real gravitas. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 97 Points.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Barossa, South Australia
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.8%