Ranked #9 of 35 2016 Shiraz from Eden Valley
95/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Excellent colour, deep and youthful with strong purple tints. The bouquet is robust and concentrated, mixed spices, led by pepper and earthy notes, a trace of eucalyptus-mint, rich and dense as it is also in the mouth. A collossus of a wine. There's a lot of charry oak input and this tinges the aftertaste with a little bitterness. A powerhouse of a shiraz, and quite heavily extracted, but also superb. Long-term.
Tasted: 28/03/2021
Drink: 2023 to 2038
96 Points Robert Parker
The 2016 Mount Edelstone Vineyard Shiraz is steeped in complexity, with aromas ranging from camphor, bay leaf and sage to smoke and grilled beef and from blueberries and blackberries to plums laced with spice. Full-bodied, rich and intense, it's ripe and velvety textured, with a long, licorice-tinged finish and dusty tannins that bode well for the cellar. From vines planted in 1912, I suspect this will come close to the quality of the Hill of Grace at a fraction of the price. Tasted again the following day from the open bottle, this was even better, seamless, flowing and harmonious in the mouth. Drink 2022 - 2040.
Source: Robert Parker.
97 Points James Halliday
The vineyard was planted in 1912, hand-picked, matured in 80% French and 20% American hogsheads (19% new). The vintage was challenging, but this shiraz shows no sign of that. It is full-bodied, very complex and very long, the tannins expertly massaged and drawn under the fruit. Blackberry, tar and bitter dark chocolate all contribute to what will be a very long-lived wine. Drink to 2051.
Source: James Halliday.
98 Points Tyson Stelzer
There is a calm to Mount Edelstone, an effortless confidence in these 104 year old vines, more pronounced in 2016 than ever. And yet a determination, an energy, a singular pursuit that defines every detail from start to enduring finish. Prue, Stephen, Johann and Paul know these vines better than ever, too, and their craft in the winery has never been more sensitive. The inimitable exotic spice of grand old age is impeccably laced with gloriously fragrant violets and perfect black plum fruit. Powder-fine mineral tannins achieve a profound contrast of graceful texture yet enduring power. Appearing notably ever more 'Grace'-ful, this is hands-down the finest Mount Edelstone of the modern era, and, almost certainly, ever
Source: Tyson Stelzer.