Jim Barry, The Armagh Shiraz 2006

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the ‘One Family Tasting’ at the Imagination Gallery. The ’06 is very pure and well defined on the nose, with blackberry, black plum, a touch of liquorice and violets. Very fine delineation. The palate is beautifully balanced, sweet dark cherries, a touch of anis and marmalade, very focused on the finish where the acidity slices through that concentration like butter. Superb. Drink 2013-2025. Tasted May 2010.

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Jay S Miller

The 2006 The Armagh is one of Australia’s icon wines. Sourced from a vineyard planted in 1964 on its own roots, it is a100% Shiraz cuvee that spent 17 months in 100% new French and American oak before a bottling without fining and filtration. A saturated purple color, it gives off an enthralling nose of pain grille, smoked meat, incense, Asian spices, boysenberry, mulberry, and plum. With exceptional depth, richness, and structure, this impeccably balanced Shiraz can be cellared for another 6-8 years and will offer a drinking window extending from 2014 to 2026. Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet with a hint of purple in the color and bottled under cork (commercial release of this wine), the 2006 The Armagh Shiraz is redolent of creme de cassis, meat and cedar with undercurrents of coffee, sandalwood, black olives, Chinese plums and licorice accents. Very big, rich and concentrated, it has crisp acid, a firm level of velvety tannins and hints of anise on the long finish. Drink it now to 2028+. I tried the same vintage wine bottled under screw cap as a trial and not for commercial release. This 2006 Armagh Shiraz showed much more primary aromas with the licorice really standing out and displaying more of a chocolate character. The tannins were a bit firmer than the other bottle; still the quality remained the same and merits the same score. Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet with a touch of purple, the 2006 Shiraz The Armagh has an earthy, meaty, gamey nose with suggestions of yeast extract, beef drippings and Bovril over a core of dried mulberries, plum preserves and mincemeat pie filling. The rich, full-bodied palate has TONS of fruit with a firm, fine structure and very long finish.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Erin Larkin

This bottle of 2006 Shiraz The Armagh is sealed under cork. This closure is better for this vintage. I love this. It's big and dense and chocolaty—but it’s right. It leans into its tannic structure under cork and celebrates its purple/black fruit and dry exotic spices. It's a big wine, good. It has 15.5% alcohol and matured for 16 months in 55% French and 45% American oak barriques (225 liters).

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Erin Larkin

This bottle of 2006 Shiraz The Armagh was sealed under Stelvin (trial). It is dry and warm, all wound up. This is dense, savory, very good and muscular. It has notes of black cherry and kirsch and is very big and dark and brooding. Even after decanting, it needs to be unfurled in the glass. I prefer the bottle under cork! It has 15.5% alcohol and matured for 16 months in 55% French and 45% American oak barriques (225 liters).

vinous94

Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds

Inky purple color. Explosively perfumed bouquet of blackberry and blueberry liqueur, licorice, fruitcake, incense and dried violet. Lush and creamy but penetrating, offering sweet, extremely powerful boysenberry and blueberry flavors, molten tannins and a sexy note of candied flowers. Refuses to let up on the finish, which echoes the sweet blueberry note and leaves spice, pepper and floral notes in its wake. I find this more energetic than the wonderful 2005 and 2004 versions.