Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz Cellar Release 2017

96 POINTS

Joe Czerwinski - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Hints of mint or menthol mark the nose of the 2017 The Armagh Shiraz. There's a pinch of crushed green peppercorns, buffered by ripe raspberries and cherries. Like the 2016, it's more red-fruited, but it doesn't have quite the depth or richness of that vintage. At this level, it's splitting hairs, as the wine is still excellent, with ample weight and concentration, supple tannins and a lingering, spice-tinged finish.

96 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion

Largely standard vinification with individual blocks ex the Armagh Vineyard, 10 days on skins, some blocks given 3 weeks post-ferment maceration. Elegance isn't the aim of The Armagh, but the '17 vintage has made it easy. Richly flavoured with dark fruits, savoury tannins balance and lengthen the palate.

96 POINTS

Georgina Hindle - Decanter

Such incredible perfume and florality from this standout Shiraz, so expressive and captivating, filled with roses and violets alongside cherries and plum fruit, milk chocolate and some sage notes. Medium-bodied on the palate but it’s the texture and overall presence of the wine in the mouth that gives this star quality. Tannins are fine and seductive cashmere-like, edged with fruit intensity and spicy sides. This has a good energy to it, mouthwatering and pulsing with life with a long finish and lift at the end. Precision and power - built to last.

96 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2017 The Armagh Shiraz is really hitting its meaty straps at five years of age (in 2022). It has hoisin, salami, tobacco leaf and five spice in preponderance and shows a level of concentration in the mouth that aligns it with all of our lofty expectations of this vineyard. At 13.8% alcohol, it defies its muscular reputation and instead delivers us a medium-bodied, incredibly complex wine of poise and stature. Drink it from now and for the next 20 years with ease.

95 POINTS

James Suckling

This is a cooler vintage for Armagh and has vibrant blueberries, violets and floral spices with a redder-fruit spectrum leading the nose. The palate has a lithe, juicy feel and the oak sits in a gently creamy layer of redder plum and berry flavors. An elegant, athletic Armagh and one that trades on acidity and more medium-weight tannin structure. Try from 2025.

93 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

From the 2017 vintage, this plumper and riper expression of Shiraz The Armagh offers up plush aromas of dark chocolate, mulberry and blackberry laced with black pepper spice and coffee-scented oak. Generously proportioned flavors of blueberry and fruit compote are lifted by bright acidity in what is a relatively approachable overall package. Pliable tannins will ensure enjoyable drinking over the medium term.