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The Astralis vineyard produces the prestige cuvée of Clarendon Hills, and is one of the most sought-after wines in the world. Technically remaining the same since the conception of the estate in 1990, Astralis made its debut under that name in 1994. Previously known simply as Clarendon Hills Shiraz, Roman and his wife Sue felt that the wine deserved a name more befitting of its excellence - Astralis, "pertaining to the stars".
Clarendon Hills is blessed to be surrounded by a plethora of fantastic terroirs from which to source grapes, but Astralis has proved year-after-year to be one of the greatest on Earth. At a mere 4 hectares in size, the land is precious and production levels are very limited. As is to be expected from a winemaker guided by Burgundian philosophies, all the vines in Astralis are low yielding, yet again restricting supply. Barely 500 cases are produced each vintage - no great amount given the shocking demand.
Astralis was planted in 1920 and is composed of a topsoil layer of pebble-ridden clay with a subsoil of pure ironstone. These 100 year old vines grow on a gentle due-east facing slope and are now "farmed as they grow", meaning that Roman does not trellis them.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2010 Astralis is still quite primary eliciting aromas of black plums, blueberry compote and blackcurrant liqueur with a savory and baking spice undercurrent plus a fragrant whiff of violets. Very structured, fine and complex in the medium to full-bodied mouth, this wine is revealing much more than when I first tasted it a year ago and is now showing layer upon layer of black fruit preserves, mocha, toast and spices before finishing with great length. Extraordinary wine. Approachable now, it should cellar to 2030+.
Drinking Window: 2014 - 2030
Reviewer Name: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Review Date: 27th February 2014
Sourced from a single vineyard in the cool Blewitt Springs area of McLaren Vale, the vines over 90 years old; whole bunches and whole berries are included in the prolonged fermentation, followed by 18 months in 100% new, high quality, French oak; the extreme power of the palate is so effortless the wine has a touch of elegance that will emerge in the decades to come.
Drinking Window: 2012 - 2045
Reviewer Name: James Halliday
Review Date: 24th December 2012
