2023 Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz

94 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

I just tried to unscrew this wine, but nothing happened. Ah, it has a DIAM cork in it, I see. This is from ten rows of vines planted pre-1860, re-planted and plopped into the original Langmeil vineyard on the North Para River. It gets 25% new French oak, the remainder in seasoned French oak. I’d comment that in my day to day life, I pretty much never drink any Barossa Shiraz, because it’s not my thing, though it’s not for me to foist my personal taste on you. My job as a wine critic is to make an assessment of what’s in the glass, do my best to faithfully describe it, and come to a decision on its overall quality. Black fruit, a little liquorice, a fair amount of spice and cedar oak, something of a black olive tapenade savoury note. It’s full-bodied, sports some raspberry pip acidity, again the spice, nutty and savoury, with fine-grained tannin rolling on to an usually, perhaps, fresh and lively finish of excellent length. Very good. An extra dimension of energy in this vintage, or so I feel.

94 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2023 Orphan Bank Shiraz is a gorgeous, bloody, floral thing, with a sway of dusty, fine, earthy tannins in the mouth and woven through the long finish. I love the suppleness and freshness of this wine—it shows Barossa in its grounded earthiness and inherent power, and it does so with brilliant composure. This is excellent. The cool, wet conditions of the 2023 growing season are expressed well here. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam.

93 POINTS

Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion

Barossa Valley shiraz with an average vine age of 85-plus years, matured 24 months in French oak, 25% new. It's quite high toned and lifted this one, with crunchy red and dark plum, blackberry and dark cherry fruits, dredged with baking spices, red plum paste, licorice, chocolate, crushed stone, pan juices and tapenade. Full bodied; the flow of fruit is bright and energetic, the tannins silty and chewy and the finish sails on persistently.