Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2014
I’m not even sure this is commercially released, but expect high points and plenty of praise when it lands. The only thing working against this release of Mount Langi’s well priced favourite is that its still coming together.
Medium red with purple edges, the nose is achingly closed, showing lipstick, purple berries, just a little black pepper and then Play Doh oak. Wound up tight, the high quality oak a dominant power for the moment (but it won’t be in 6 months time).
The beauty here is just how well balanced that palate is – not hot, not over extracted, not sweet, just beautiful purple fruit, tightly wound into a ball of flavour, fine silky tannins and just perfect natural acidity. Again, the oak is obvious on the palate, but just because the rest hasn’t caught up. It still tastes of quality, mid-weight, classic western Victorian Shiraz with nary a hair out of place. You expect that the big dog Langi Shiraz will be even more intense again, in which case start forming a queue now.
This Cliff Edge Shiraz is very very good. I’m erring on the cautious side of the score equation now, but in 6 months time that number could go up plenty. Best drinking: 2017-2023. 18/20, 93/100. 13.8%, $35ish. Would I buy it? Sure would.
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12 Comments
Hello Andrew,
Fair to say ,if I remember rightly you haven’t been the biggest fan of “Cliff Edge” over the journey so this review sounded some bells and flashed some lights for me !!
Regards
Colin r
There was a period there a few yrs back when everything Langhi disappointed – the pursuit of ripe flavours went too far. This 13.8% number though is just perfect.
Play dough Oak???
The Play Doh oak character I see a bit in some modern wines – it’s an ingrained oak smell that is halfway between vanilla and clay. I see it as a beneficial thing usually, as it is doesn’t tend to linger and dominate.
Yes, was going to ask if there was much fruit sweetness to this one?
To be honest it didn’t look that sweet – the fruit is still locked away for it to look overly sweet. It’s definitely ripe, but none of the glycerol ripeness of some previous Langhi reds
Last one of these I had was a 2012 and it was very sweet. Syrupy almost. I didn’t enjoy it. This might be better from the sounds of it.
I’ve thought the same about previous vintages of Cliff Edge. Just too ripe.
Do you anticipate that the big dog will be landing at Graham hq??……..anytime?
Here’s hoping Colin!
Hi Andrew, this wine has really turned a corner- encourage you to take another look. Beautiful colour, very pretty nose, and that balance you speak of makes this oh so drinkable right now. Love the shape and length here. Delicious.
Doesn’t surprise me. Plenty of potential back then