Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz 2009
Outstanding vivid crimson-purple; the perfumed bouquet is exquisite, with red and black fruits in a swathe of violets and rose petals, then a supremely elegant and intense palate, the finish exceptionally long. Clearly should have won the Jimmy Watson trophy '10. 97 Points. James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2012
Mount Langi Ghiran’s ‘Langi’ Shiraz has a distinguished past with some excellent wines made under the stewardship of Trevor Mast but, for me, since the 2006 there has been undeniable evidence of a change in the direction as current chief winemaker Dan Buckle has brought his vision to bear on the way the Langi ‘Old Block’ vineyard was to be interpreted. A more medium-bodied expression emerged, committed to balanced oak, brighter fruit, integrated whole bunch techniques and an overall sense of finesse.
The 2009 Langi is a continuation of the direction. The whole bunches impart a lifting, floral perfume and strengthen the structure underpinning the wine. A woodsy bouquet – cedar, plums, boysenberry, blue forest fruits, violets and cinnamon with a little peppered beef and the faintest suggestion of pine. Understated toasty mocha oak.
Tremendous depth combined with a sense of delicacy. The flavours are tightly knit and give the convincing impression that they just “belong”. It’s complexly spiced but seasoned to perfection. The minerality, evident on back palate, is both a flavour and a shape – but perhaps more important than either of those is the sense of clean refreshment that it imparts. When the finish eventually lets up it begs you to take another sip.
The score is conservative. It’s a young wine with a very exciting future. To be released in September. 96+ points Jeremy Pringle, Wine will eat itself, June 2011
The 2009 vintage saw the end of the drought with the vineyard receiving a good amount of rain at all the right times. The heat wave that affected much of Victoria in this year did not cause any problems for Mount Langi.
Fruit was meticulously hand selected from these old vines, the best grapes and parcels were separated allowing for this fine wine to shine through. This method leaves a considerable portion of fruit on the vine, but permits the exclusion of shriveled fruit as well as green berries. Moreover, this process responds to the natural variation within the vineyard block caused by aspect, warmth and exposure to wind and sunlight. A percentage of whole bunch fermentation adds perfume and lift to the nose, and builds further tannic structure.
Wine Notes
Colour - Vibrant purple with dense purple rim
Nose - Complex wine showing blueberry, rapsberry and typical Langi spices. Delicately perfumed, the wine is lifted and with complex spice elements.
Palate - Medium body and tightly wound acidity balance with structured tannins which build the palate. Showing great potential at bottling, the wine is brooding and restrained with years to go before its peak. On the palate the wine shows a core of ripe blueberry and raspberry fruits, overlayed with hints of perfumed “spice box” characters. Tight acidity adds length and definition.
Cellar - Up to 20 years
Mount Langi Ghiran is out there – literally. It’s location in the heart of the Grampians is incredibly remote and has a far cooler growing season than many might imagine until you consider it is placed at an altitude of around 350 meters. Amongst the ancient granite mountains of this region, the vineyards were originally planted in 1964, establishing this estate as one of Australia’s leaders of cool climate Shiraz. “Mount Langi Ghiran looks to go beyond young fruity wines. White and black pepper here are common to the style,” winemaker Dan Buckle informed me, confirming what my palate had been telling me from many years of appreciating their flagship Langi Shiraz. Lisa Perrotti-Brown Wine Advocate # 189 Jun 2010
"Langi" Shiraz is not just the best wine in the cellar – it is Estate grown, and comes from our oldest vines. "Langi" Shiraz is therefore a unique expression of Shiraz varietal, with seasonal variation showing the hallmarks of the vineyard. As such "Langi" Shiraz speaks of the granitic soil, the cool growing season, the limited water, and Easterly aspect of the site, along with the moderating effects of Mount Langi Ghiran itself. Of ten blocks on the property at Mount Langi Ghiran, we normally make between 8and 10 different wines. The oldest vines – up to 45 plus years – nearly always make the best wine.
Old vines make the best wine due to vine age and balance – fully established root systems deliver growth that is in balance with the surroundings, and from this fruit with mature tannic structures and depth of flavour. Old vines are more consistent through the seasons. Old vines tend to crop less – the grapes are therefore more expensive to grow.The best grapes present the best tannins, and these are best extracted slowly and early in the ferment to deliver that Shiraz "plush yet firm" texture. Cold soaking the Mount Langi Ghiran "Langi" Shiraz fruit takes longer in the vat – at a peak time of harvest, these grapes get the best treatment. The best wines are well complimented by the best oak. A greater proportion of new oak is included in the Langi Shiraz – typically around 45% new. So these wines are more expensive to make.
'Maker of outstanding cool-climate peppery Shiraz, crammed with flavour and vinosity, and very good Cabernet Sauvignon. The Shiraz points the way for cool-climate examples of the variety, for weight, texture and fruit richness all accompany the vibrant pepper-spice aroma and flavour.' James Halliday
One of the top half dozen Shiraz’s in Australia. The site climate of the Mount Langi Ghiran vineyards produces wines which have tremendous depth and complexity: there are pepper and spice notes, but there are also all of the lush ripe fruit flavours running from cherry to liquorice which a top Rhone Valley maker would immediately recognise and appreciate. - James Halliday
