The story of the Langmeil winery goes back 6 generations when pioneer, Christian Auricht, established one of the Barossa’s first trading villages on the banks of the North Para River, naming it Langmeil (now known as Tununda). This historical site is home to Langmeil Winery today and is also where Auricht planted one-acre of Shiraz vines on the estate, which is still producing fruit today and is the source of Langmeil’s icon wine, The Freedom 1843 Shiraz.

Christian’s grandson, Theodor Hanisch established the first winery on the property in 1932, operating under the name Paradale. In 1972 it became Bernkastel Wines. After Bernkastel went into liquidation in 1988 it lay idle until 1996 when Richard Lindner, Carl Lindner and Chris Bitter took it over, creating what is now Langmeil. In 2011 Richard and sons Paul and James took full control.
Today Langmeil have several of their own vineyards including the home vineyard, Jackamans, Orphan Bank and a very recent additions a very special plot in the Eden Valley which includes a parcel of 120+ year old vines. In addition there are around 20 Barossa family growers who contribute fruit for Langmeil.

Leigh is Langmeil’s sales manager and a very passionate entertaining presenter. He almost didn’t make it here as he was stuck at Dunedin airport and the decision was made just before mid-day to rent a car and drive up. He arrived here with minutes to spare! Like a true professional the show must go on. And what a great line-up of wines. Most of them are not usually available in New Zealand and we will be making a special order to be shipped over late this month/early September.

Langmeil Bella Rouge Rosé 2018

The ‘Beautiful Red’, produced from Cabernet Sauvignon gapes. More red than pink in colour and quite a contrast to most of the pale roses that are on the market. Juicy and dry with red apple and raspberry flavours. Very popular on the night.

Langmeil Rough Diamond Grenache 2018

Far from being a rough diamond, this is quite a shining gem. This is the first vintage release of this label and a great way to make an entrance. Leigh described this as ‘Barossa’s Pinot Noir’, but I think that is an unfair comparison – it is its own style. Dark colour this is deceptively weighty and mouth filling. Bright fruited and perfumed with a touch of liquorice and basil herb. There is a savoury note and this nicely avoids the ‘boiled lolly’ character of some Aussie Grenaches. It finishes nice and dry and an excellent Grenache.

Langmeil Della Mina Sangiovese / Barbera 2017

Although the Germanic heritage is more obvious in the Barossa, there is also quite a connection with Italian. When the Della Mina family, who emigrated to South Australia from northern Italy in the 1930s, were joined in marriage to the Lindner family (Richard Lindner to wife Shirley) it was an obvious choice to include some Italian style wines into the Langmeil range. This is 62% Sangiovese 38% Barbera. Cherry/berry flavours with gentle fragrant floral herbal notes. Medium bodied, this has a nice plush texture, with moderate tannins and a nice dry finish.

Langmeil Three Gardens Grenache / Shiraz / Mataro 2018

50% Grenache, 25% Shiraz, 25% Mataro grown around the central Barossa region (Lyndoch, Seppeltsfield). Quite a deep dark colour, this again shows the quality and fruit concentration of the 2018 vintage. The juicy Grenache is well balanced by the spiced plum Shiraz and meaty Mataro. There are also hints of menthol, liquorice, spice on the fleshy, fine grained, dry finish.

Langmeil Steadfast Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

A mix of 54% Shiraz / 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in a mix of older French and American oak. A distinctively Barossa style, with the dark fruited Shiraz coming through nicely then the Cabernet adding structure and a classic ‘cigar-box’, olive savouriness.

Langmeil Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

A very dark colour, this is a ripe tasting Barossa Cabernet. There’s ripe dark cassis with black olive, blueberry, a whiff of mint and a mouth coating texture. It has a real ball of flavour in the mid-palate then silkily flows through the palate. The words luscious and voluptuous spring to mind, yet it finishes fine and dry on the finish. A very, very good wine.

Langmeil Hangin Snakes Shiraz / Viognier 2016

96% Shiraz / 4% Viognier aged in older American and French oak for 15 months. Soft and velvety textured with ripe fruits and liquorice flavours. The Viogner adds a hint of black peach flavour. Just a lovely, delicious wine with no hardness.

Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz 2016

“Orphan Bank is testament to Langmeil’s commitment to preserving old and rare Barossa vineyards. Ten rows of Shiraz (350 vines) planted pre-1860 were saved from the developer’s bulldozer and replanted alongside the original Langmeil vineyard on the banks of the River Para. These ten rows are called the “Orphans” but after 150 years they have a new home”. These rescued vines make up the essence of this wine. Aged in a mix of older and new French oak.

A youthful dark purple colour with sense of wild bramble fruits on the aroma. This is a wine that sits nicely on the palate – firm tannins with integrated oak. Lushness and firm texture, it has a real sense of presence.

Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz 2007

What a treat to try this next to the younger wine. There is some development savouriness, but there’s still the ripe bramble fruit thing going on. Absolutely delicious and really shows the benefits of aging wine. At 12 years this is still in its development stage and will drink well for a number of years yet.

Langmeil Pure Eden Shiraz 2016

A single site wine, made from an Eden Valley vineyard planted by Charles Angas in the 1890s and purchased by the Lindner family in 2012. There is absolutely no mistaking that you have a great wine in your glass here. Inky dark, this just speaks of a Big Barossan Shiraz – plenty of everything. A stunning Shiraz.