Jim Barry, The Armagh Shiraz 2016

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Erin Larkin

The 2016 The Armagh Shiraz, tasted in a lineup of four vintages (2016 - 2019), has the highest alcohol of the lot (14.2% alcohol) and remains perfectly in balance. These are not the big wines that we may expect them to be. The vintage variation across them is subtle but evident, revealing the beauty of this single vineyard, planted in 1968. This 2016 wine is now starting to settle into its first drinking window and speaks of an array of deli meats, forest berries, exotic spice and even a hint of red curry paste. This has all the complexity you could want, and in terms of tannins: texture, density and rippling muscles. Sensational stuff. Drink it over the next two decades.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski

My pick of the recently bottled vintages, the 2016 The Armagh Shiraz shows a bit more obvious oak (simply because of its youth) but also a wonderful taut tension between ripeness and acidity. The fruit here is a bit redder in profile, leaning more toward raspberries than blackberries, while still being fully ripe. Full-bodied and supple, it finishes cedary, intense and long, adding in complex, lingering spice notes.

vinous97

Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds

Saturated violet. Powerful, spice-accented black and blue fruits, incense, potpourri and licorice on the hugely perfumed nose. Stains the palate with alluringly sweet, finely detailed blueberry, cassis, mocha, exotic spice and cola flavors; a hint of vanilla appears with air. Blends power and finesse with a sure hand and shows superb balance and zero rough edges. Finishes wonderfully long and juicy, with harmonious tannins and resonating spice and floral notes.