2012 Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz

98 points James Suckling

[Outer quote mark]  A very bold nose with ripe red plums, blackberries, cherries and dark peaches. This has very complex spices, in the clove and cardamom zone, as well as some fresh, tarry notes and licorice. The palate has a super rich and polished feel. So showy and ebullient, this really blooms out with such rich, dense, ripe-fruit flavors, in the plum and dark-berry spectrum. Wildly delicious Armagh. Cooler fruit here and very intense. Drink over the next two decades. Outstanding.  [Inner quote mark]  (6/2020)

98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

[Outer quote mark]  Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2012 Shiraz The Armagh offers a gorgeous perfume of baking spices, violets, Sichuan pepper and fragrant earth. More earthy and savory in the mouth than on the nose, the palate is superbly structured and taut—built for the long-haul—with a long, complex finish. Still very youthfully, forget this wine for 3-5 more years and consider drinking it over the next 20+. (LPB) 98+  [Inner quote mark]  (8/2016)

96 points Wine Spectator

[Outer quote mark]  Robust and dense, this shows plenty of torque to the generous, velvety flavors of huckleberry pie, blueberry syrup, sarsaparilla, cacao and nutmeg, all set on a plush, thick body. The intensity kicks in on the finish, where spice and smoke details linger effortlessly. (MW)  [Inner quote mark]  (6/2017)

94 points Wine Enthusiast

[Outer quote mark]  Jim Barry's top wine and one of Clare Valley's most renowned, the 2012 doesn't disappoint. Enchanting, complex aromas of purple beets, mocha, strawberry leaf, raspberries, figs and dates continue on the palate, all cloaked in savory, powdery tannins and a structure that sets it up for many years of aging. *Cellar Selection* (CP)  [Inner quote mark]  (4/2018)

THE STORY

Named after the Clare Valley settlement founded by Irish settlers in 1848, The Armagh Shiraz comprises opulent and muscular shiraz fruit that explodes with aroma and flavour.

While stylistically different, the original winemaking philosophy of The Armagh Shiraz was in part inspired by neighbouring vineyard Wendouree. The Jim Barry wine sits somewhere between the vigorous, elegantly structured muscular style of Wendouree and the chocolatey richness of Penfolds Grange.

This beautifully concentrated shiraz is sourced from a low-yielding vineyard that was planted in the Clare Valley in 1968, on a north-west-facing sandy gravel slope. Elevated at 400 metres, the position ensures maximum sun exposure, resulting in fully ripe fruit.

THE WINEMAKING

The vines are hand harvested with several passes to ensure an optimum flavour profile is reached. Crushing and fermentation in small stainless steel tanks with heading down boards is followed by ageing in French (70%) and American oak hogsheads for 15 months.

THE WINE

The plush fruit and supple richness are hallmarks of The Armagh style. With oak hidden behind curtains of deep, intense fruit and extraordinarily fine, structured tannins, The Armagh Shiraz is highly prized for consistency and ageing potential.

A lovely, concentrated wine, with aromas of mulberry, sarsaparilla and vanilla entwined with sage and violet notes. Intense flavours of elderberries, plum, sage and five spice. The palate is medium bodied with a flow of purple fruit and fine sandy tannins. A wine of great complexity built to develop through the ages.