97 Points – James Halliday  |  96 Points – Robert Parker

Elderton Command Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017 is one of the Barossa Valley’s most celebrated and iconic single-vineyard Shirazes — powerful, concentrated and built with the extraordinary depth, complexity and old-vine intensity that only a century of vine age and one of Australia’s finest Shiraz terroirs can deliver.

With 97 points from James Halliday and 96 points from Robert Parker, the 2017 Command stands at the pinnacle of Barossa Valley Shiraz — a wine sourced entirely from Elderton’s estate vines, some of which are over 100 years old, planted on the rich red soils of the Nuriootpa floor that have produced some of the Barossa’s most celebrated fruit for generations.

My Wine Man

This is for someone who wants one of the Barossa Valley’s great single-vineyard Shirazes — a wine with genuine icon status, extraordinary old-vine intensity and a proven track record of ageing magnificently.

Elderton Command is not just a great Barossa Shiraz — it is one of the defining wines of the appellation. Sourced from estate vines over 100 years old and aged in the finest American oak, Command delivers the full expression of what the Barossa does better than anywhere else in the world: Shiraz of extraordinary concentration, complexity and longevity.

At HK$488, this is exceptional value for a single-vineyard icon Shiraz of this quality, provenance and ageing potential.

In my view, this is one of the finest Barossa Shirazes available — powerful, complex and built to last.

What makes this wine stand out

This is all about 100+ year old vine intensity and Elderton’s mastery of Barossa Shiraz.

Dark blackberry, blackcurrant, plum and dark chocolate sit at the core, with mocha, leather, cedar, American oak spice and the characteristic savoury complexity that only truly old vines can deliver. The palate is full-bodied with extraordinary concentration, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a finish of remarkable length and persistence.

The defining feature is the old-vine depth — a concentration and complexity of flavour that is simply impossible to achieve from younger vines, with layer after layer of fruit, spice and earth that reveals itself slowly over hours in the glass and years in the cellar.

Powerful, complex and completely compelling.

Style / drinking window

Full-bodied with dark blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, dark chocolate, mocha, leather and American oak spice.

Extraordinary concentration, ripe tannins and a finish of remarkable length and persistence.

Drinking well now with extended decanting (2+ hours), with a peak drinking window extending into the mid-2030s and beyond.

Why this is a must-buy

If you want one of the Barossa Valley’s great single-vineyard Shirazes at an accessible price, this is exceptional value.

It delivers:

• 97 James Halliday points and 96 Robert Parker points — among the highest scores ever awarded to a Barossa single-vineyard Shiraz
• 100+ year old vine intensity and complexity from one of the Barossa’s most celebrated estate vineyards
• genuine icon status and ageing potential at a very honest price

Ideal for aged beef, lamb, game, hard cheese or a landmark occasion. Decant for a minimum of 2 hours.

Explore more Barossa Shiraz

• Neldner Road Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021 → peer-level / same region / more approachable / great value
• Penfolds RWT Bin 798 Shiraz 2018 → step up / Barossa icon / French oak / exceptional complexity
• Penfolds Grange Bin 95 Shiraz 2010 → the ultimate / Australia’s most iconic wine / 99 Parker points

Life’s too short for bad wine.