LANGMEIL THE FREEDOM 1843 SHIRAZ 2021

Already sold out in Australia and with only a small allocation available it's time to secure your Freedom now. Langmeil The Freedom 1843 Shiraz is made from grapes sourced from Langmeil’s original vineyard, the Freedom Vineyard, which was planted in 1843 and survives to this day. These are believed to be the some of the oldest and rarest Shiraz vines in the world. The wine from these ancient vines is outstanding and this was recognised in 2014 when The Freedom 1843 Shiraz joined the prestigious Langton’s Classification VI honour roll in the category of ‘Excellent’. 

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)​
"Langmeil Winery is home to The Freedom 1843 Shiraz, believed to be planted in 1843 by vigneron Christian Auricht. Escaping war and persecution in Prussia, Auricht travelled to his new homeland, finding freedom in the Barossa Valley. The original plantings still survive and are some of the oldest and rarest vines in the world.

The outstanding 2021 vintage is up there as one of my favourites. Sufficient winter rains revitalised the vines after two consecutive dry, frost-affected and low-yielding years. Spring was near perfect for budburst, flowering and fruit set, enabling vines to flourish and reach their full potential. Summer was gorgeous and mild with slow and even ripening, fantastic colour and flavour development, and acid retention. Finally, an unhurried harvest reduced pressure on fermenter space, cellar hands, and my sanity! As a result, we have captured the personality and quality of every vineyard

An intense aroma of ripe Satsuma plum, herbal and savoury notes combine with hints of cedar and sweet spices. Rich, sweet fruit is balanced wonderfully by briary and sweet spices and lovely, silky tannins. A full-bodied, textural wine, showing great complexity with hints of cedar and allspice flowing through to the lengthy, peppery, fruity finish."

5 Stars & 97/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2021 Vintage)
"Very deep red-purple colour with a hugely complex regional Barossa bouquet of forest-floor, graphite, ironstone and tar, with smoky oak nuances and the flavour is decadently rich, fleshy and concentrated. The lavish tannins are supple and balanced, and there is regional pepper, too. A sumptuous wine of real gravitas."

Reviews for previous vintages below…

94/100 Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front, November 2022 (2019 Vintage)
"Sweet seductive scents leap out of the glass and tease you. Velvety black plum, figs, blackberries. Layers of vanilla bean, toasted coconut and violets. It punches with intense flavours and a dose of vibrant acidity. Folds in a calm and creamy fashion. It’s a sweet-themed and plush wine with concentration and alluring perfume. Old vine charm and intensity, no doubt. And I’d add that thrill of drinking the juice from 176 years old vines. Amazing."

95/100 James Halliday's Wine Companion (2017 Vintage)
"Langmeil has always believed the vines were planted in 1843, the first in the Barossa Valley, but there is some dispute about this. The wine was matured in French hogsheads and barriques (44% new) for 24 months. It's an important wine, and a good one, but I wish the alcohol and oak had been lower."

97/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2019 (2016 Vintage)
"Langmeil's 2016 The Freedom 1843 Shiraz comes out of the chute with smoky notes of grilled meat and cracked pepper, which serve to balance the wine's bold boysenberry fruit, ample body and rich, creamy tannins. Full-bodied and supple, it's not unapproachable, but it should be better in a couple of years and should drink well for another 10-15 after that. Complex, layered and seductive, it's a compelling example of Barossa Shiraz."

95/100 DWWA 2019 (2016 Vintage)
"A velvety and rich wine with a deep, smoky quality alongside blackcurrant jam and mint. Chock-full of complexity on the nose and very persistent, savoury finish. A fantastic example of this style."