More luscious Barossan reds with the 2018 Eisenstone SV range

Notch this up as another set of impressive, lavish reds from Eisenstone.

After the first tranche of Eisenstone Shiraz went down so very well at Graham HQ, winemaker Steven Cook kindly sent through this 2018 Eisenstone SV range as well.

In the same vein as the SR range, these two single vineyard Shiraz are an exploration of Barossan terroir, taking fruit from two coveted vineyards in the Ebenezer and Greenock parishes. Except everything goes up a notch with these next level releases.

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Importantly, both of these SV wines are treated the same way in the winery, matured for 22 months in 50% new oak. That’s a step up in new oak, and it marks these as even more hedonistic wines.

That’s my only griper here – this duo is full-on. The oak melds in with the (obviously super high quality) fruit, but it also turns up the volume knob to eleven. I’d prefer to drink the less oaky, more expressive SR wines, myself.

But then again, you can’t knock the impressive flow of these two big-boned reds. They’re not trying to be Pinot, they’re intending to be full-tilt, indulgent (and ripe) Barossan Shiraz, and they both hit the mark with ease (and will get better with time)

Now, important for context to start with this post.

Eisenstone Dimchurch Vineyard Ebenezer SV902 Shiraz 2018

Lavish. A grandiose wine from Adrian Hoffmann’s legendary plot. Ultra concentrated, cult wine levels of impact. A1 fruit on full display – purple fruit, mocha, mushrooms and savoury dark chocolate. Fascinating to think of this in the context of the ‘standard’ SR802 Ebenezer, as this is bigger, thicker, more flashy. If anything, it’s a less enjoyable drink for mine – a bit too big. But gee it’s high quality. I admire this as a serious Barossan red – and it’s of the same tier as the Ebenezer. But I can’t imagine drinking loads of it. Best drinking: later. Come back in 3-5 really. 18.7/20, 95/100. 14.5%, $100. Eisenstone website. Would I buy it? I’ll get the SR instead.

Eisenstone Nitschke Rd Greenock SV901 Shiraz 2018

The top end of Barossan reds, and the top of the Eisenstone empire. Grapes come from the De Fazio vineyard on Nitschke Road. Dark rich purple coloured, it feels like western Barossan red in every way.  Oak is the first flavour here though – coffeed, purple fruit leading to this huge purple mouthful of richness. Voluminous and ultra smooth, powerful and impressively concentrated. But a bit confronting and oak tannin touched. Seriously impressive but not ready yet. Wait for the oak to fold in? Best drinking: Patience, Grasshopper. Five years. 18.5/20, 94/100+. 14.5%, $100. Eisenstone website. Would I buy it? See above.