The heart of Langmeil's Orphan Bank Shiraz is 10 rows of ancient Shiraz vines planted before the 1860's on the banks of the River Para. These were saved from deforestation a few years ago and replanted near their original location. There are also other first-class vineyards in the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, which means that the average age of the Orphan Bank vines for the excellent 2018 vintage falls to a still very respectable 80+ years.
The result is a powerful Shiraz with enormous depth and complexity, the best use of barriques and a never-ending aftertaste. It smells intensely of raspberries and plums and already shows its spicy fullness in the scent. Crazy!
In Robert Parker's Wine Advocate there is a whopping 95/100 for the 2018 Langmeil Orphan Bank. Taster Joe Czerwinski is amazed by the fact that these old vines never make the wines appear too heavy or overripe. He notes raspberries, blackberries and mint in the scent. It is very well balanced on the palate and remarkably elegant and long in the finale.
