Deep garnet in color, the 2009 The Armagh Shiraz displays a more evolved black plum and kirsch character accented by notes of pencil lead, black olives and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, muscular and a little mute, it has a very taut, firm structure that shows aging promise and a long finish. As it needs some time, drink it from 2015 to 2030+.
96+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Issue # 205 - Feb 2013)
A rich, ripe and intense vintage with very deep, plush and seamless blackberries, delivered in such rich, concentrated mode with a smooth, glossy tannin texture. The shape is round and plush and delivers such bold, ripe dark berries and red plums on the finish. Seamless. Lots to come. Drink or hold.
96 points, James Suckling (Jun 2020)
The vineyard was planted in ?68, a drought year requiring each vine to be hand watered by the family from drums on the back of a tractor, an investment in blood, sweat and tears that has been handsomely repaid. Elegance is not a word usually associated with wines having the dimension of Armagh, but it applies here, yet without betraying the birthright of a wine with exceptional depth to its fusion of dark berries, spices and toasty oak, the latter in the manner of Grange, obvious yet integrated and balanced.
96 points, Halliday Wine Companion (Aug 2016)
Dark purple. A hugely aromatic, complex bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, cola, candied licorice, mocha and incense, with a smoky mineral quality adding vivacity and focus. Stains the palate with rich blueberry and cherry liqueur flavors lifted by juicy acidity. Hints of candied flowers, fruitcake and dark chocolate gain strength in the glass and carry through an extremely long, smooth, subtly tannic finish. In a decadent but shockingly lively style, with the sheer mass of assertive fruit to make it accessible on the younger side with some decanter time but also the concentration to reward long-term cellaring.
95 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous (Mar 2016)
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