97 Points, Platinum – Best in Show, Decanter World Wine Awards 95 Points, Halliday Wine Companion 93 Points, Wine Business Magazine
Tasting Notes
Heady blue fruit on the nose with lashings of violet, blossom, and hints of baking spice. Spiced dark plum on the palate with fresh blue and black berries, pepper, and liquorice. Lifted acidity with plush mouth-coating tannins delivers a great length on the finish.
About the Wine
“Most keen wine drinkers now realize that Australia can produce a gamut of Chardonnay styles, but somehow the word seems harder to get out about Shiraz. This wine from Adelaide Hills should do the trick for anyone who has yet to realize that cool-climate accounts of the variety can be every bit as compelling as their warm-climate counterparts. The wine is dark in colour, with lots of episcopal purple; the aromas are bright, lifted, and billowing, not just cherry-fresh but with some billowing cherry blossom in there too. In the mouth, the wine is deep, round, poised and lively: an explosion of vivid fruits with a peppery finish.”
– Decanter DWWA 2020 Tasting Notes for Anderson Hill O Series Shiraz 2018
About the Producer
Ben and Clare Anderson believe in living amongst the environment, treading lightly on their land. This sustainable lifestyle extends through to their philosophy for managing the vineyard and minimal intervention practices in the wine-making processes.
At 600 meters above sea-level their Lenswood vineyard in the northern Adelaide Hills is one of the coolest and highest vineyards in South Australia. The top meter of loamy soil sits on a sub-clay base and sustains efficient water and nutrients to the vines whilst reducing the risk of pests and diseases at the same time.
Vines are hand-pruned and the grapes hand-picked to ensure premium quality. Minimal intervention in the winemaking process, using natural yeasts to showcase the unique terroir.
Specs
Vintage: 2018
Varietal: 100% Shiraz
Origin: Australia
Appellation: Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Elaboration: Cold-soaked, open fermentation with extended maceration. 12-months barrel maturation in a mix of new and seasoned French oak. 5-7 years of cellaring.
The farming history of the Anderson family dates back to the beginning of the 20th Century. To provide a better life to his family, Peter Anderson and his whole family moved from Scotland to South Australia and established a farming presence. The hard-working ethos continues in the family to this day.
Brian Anderson, and his son Ben, purchased 32 acres of land in Lenswood, Adelaide Hills in 1994 and developed it into a vineyard. The family focuses on producing high quality wine grapes and premium wines. Since Brian’s passing, Ben and his wife Clare have continued to run the family business.
Ben spends the majority of his time in the vineyard looking after our vines and making sure the grapes are growing well. If you can’t find him in amongst the vines, there’s a good chance he is working with our winemaker in the winery, meeting with our business partners locally or overseas or just hiding somewhere with a glass of our award-winning wine!
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Hello! Welcome to my premium content, only available to top-tier subscribers. Today was a day, like many before it, with wine, food, and friends. But today, unlike others, came with a treat: Australian Shiraz, improperly pronounced shee-razz! (emphasis mine).
Both arms full, I toted this bottle under one, and my toddler under the other to a friend’s house for dinner. I can’t tell you how excited they were to taste a new bottle from the land down under. And not more than a few minutes after pulling it did I see my big baby boy wandering around with the cork in his mouth. He’s the whole party.
We poured it right into the stemware; no time for a decant. Now, this is an imperfect picture: there’s no white reference point, no calibrated light, and a dang heavy pour. But this is a DARK wine, deep deep purple. Surprisingly dark. Unsettlingly dark. I’m kidding, but it’s pretty dark.
Aromas? Yeah, we didn’t get any… AT FIRST. We looked at each other and said “uhh, mmm, hmmm” trying to think of something, even if we were just making it up. It wasn’t until after the first sip that the flavors hit the nose: floral, cherry blossom, baking spice, and fresh-cut grass. Yeah, kindof a lot, especially to not get any of that at first. I mentioned that first sip? RHUBARB was the consensus flavor. My grandmother used to make a great rhubarb pie, and woo I had a flashback to burning my tongue on one because my patience was short. Your patience with this wine will be rewarded. It opened up quite a bit with exposure, and integrated flavors of plum, blackberry, and more floral were evident. I didn’t get any cherry, but maybe because I was looking for it? Dunno. Medium-full body, but a quick tart finish. High acidity, very fresh. I like it.
You love scores, don’t you. We all do. There’s a sticker on this that says 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards 97 points. NINTY SEVEN. I don’t know that I’ve given ANY wine that many of my imaginary ranking units, but boy does that feel high. 90 always seems to be that threshold that people ask: is it over? under? I’ll give it a 90 on the nose. I don’t know how cellarable it is, nor do I know how decantable it is. I do know I’d like another bottle, please.
95 Points. “Deep dark purple hue; wafts of exotic spices mingling with black plums and unobtrusive charry oak, more a seasoning than anything else. Full-bodied, rich with ribbons of velvety tannins. Impressive.” 8/2020
From Bob Campbell MW:
"What a charming wine, with its wafting red berry fragrance. Excellent fruit clarity and intensity. The palate is clean, bright and poised with excellent cranberry and redcurrant flavours plus a thread of sophisticated spice. Medium-bodied with good palate tension. Love this. Top Rank Toni Paterson 5/2019
and Mike Bennie ? (The Wine Front)…
“lot of power for a Adelaide Hills Shiraz, deep and brooding in character, showing mulberry and concentrated forest berry fruitiness among choc-cherry richness and there’s decent sprinkle of sweet spice too. Has presence and impact from the get-go, but still maintains a lift and prettiness underlying. Best of both worlds, in a way”
and Points, Medals no words? got a couple of 'em!
The Real Review – 93 Silver | TOP RANK
Adelaide Hills Wine Show – Gold
a little price comparison and not available now, but was $19.99 at K&L
Anderson Hill O Series Australian Shiraz (2018)
Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Apologies for being late with the rattage… I forgot what day it was!
Like @tbuttitt, we didn’t take time to decant this wine, and I don’t think it hurt the experience. We agreed with having only a limited bouquet—hint of cherry, maybe some pepper, but nothing immediate and nothing overwhelming. The initial taste was welcoming—it is indeed a dark wine, already relaxed and drinkable now.
We decided to let it sit for a few moments and check back in through the evening. An hour in, we’re able to pick up more distinct flavors: dark berries, black licorice. This is a well-balanced wine; soft tannins with an easy mouth feel. Still later in the night, one sampler noted that they liked it as it was dry without being bitter, and not overly thin in either flavor or texture. Did we mention the deep color?
Saving the rest of the bottle for day #2, this wine was referred to as “delightful” and “inviting” and “lovely”. Still holding its richness, it’s a great wine serve up at a dinner party or to make a first impression. Structure is sound now, and probably would be great in the cellar for at least a few more years. We thought a more than fair deal would be $15-17/bottle, so we’re right in at the case price.
Many thanks to Alice, WD & Anderson Hill for the opportunity to Rat! Cheers!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2018 Anderson Hill O Series Australian Shiraz - $55 = 21.56%
2018 Anderson Hill O Series Shiraz
97 Points, Platinum – Best in Show, Decanter World Wine Awards
95 Points, Halliday Wine Companion
93 Points, Wine Business Magazine
Tasting Notes
About the Wine
About the Producer
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$383.88/Case for 12x 2018 Anderson Hill O Series Shiraz at Elixir Wine Group
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Oct 31 - Tuesday, Nov 1
2018 Anderson Hill O Series Australian Shiraz
4 bottles for $84.99 $21.25/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Hello! Welcome to my premium content, only available to top-tier subscribers. Today was a day, like many before it, with wine, food, and friends. But today, unlike others, came with a treat: Australian Shiraz, improperly pronounced shee-razz! (emphasis mine).
Both arms full, I toted this bottle under one, and my toddler under the other to a friend’s house for dinner. I can’t tell you how excited they were to taste a new bottle from the land down under. And not more than a few minutes after pulling it did I see my big baby boy wandering around with the cork in his mouth. He’s the whole party.
We poured it right into the stemware; no time for a decant. Now, this is an imperfect picture: there’s no white reference point, no calibrated light, and a dang heavy pour. But this is a DARK wine, deep deep purple. Surprisingly dark. Unsettlingly dark. I’m kidding, but it’s pretty dark.
Aromas? Yeah, we didn’t get any… AT FIRST. We looked at each other and said “uhh, mmm, hmmm” trying to think of something, even if we were just making it up. It wasn’t until after the first sip that the flavors hit the nose: floral, cherry blossom, baking spice, and fresh-cut grass. Yeah, kindof a lot, especially to not get any of that at first. I mentioned that first sip? RHUBARB was the consensus flavor. My grandmother used to make a great rhubarb pie, and woo I had a flashback to burning my tongue on one because my patience was short. Your patience with this wine will be rewarded. It opened up quite a bit with exposure, and integrated flavors of plum, blackberry, and more floral were evident. I didn’t get any cherry, but maybe because I was looking for it? Dunno. Medium-full body, but a quick tart finish. High acidity, very fresh. I like it.
You love scores, don’t you. We all do. There’s a sticker on this that says 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards 97 points. NINTY SEVEN. I don’t know that I’ve given ANY wine that many of my imaginary ranking units, but boy does that feel high. 90 always seems to be that threshold that people ask: is it over? under? I’ll give it a 90 on the nose. I don’t know how cellarable it is, nor do I know how decantable it is. I do know I’d like another bottle, please.
If anyone needs me, this rat will be in his lab.
@tburritt sounds like an Only Fans page!
/giphy “my premium content”
@tburritt I love how Casemates put the sticker upside down.
Ha ha, great review. Thanks!
The above mentioned Halliday review:
95 Points. “Deep dark purple hue; wafts of exotic spices mingling with black plums and unobtrusive charry oak, more a seasoning than anything else. Full-bodied, rich with ribbons of velvety tannins. Impressive.” 8/2020
From Bob Campbell MW:
"What a charming wine, with its wafting red berry fragrance. Excellent fruit clarity and intensity. The palate is clean, bright and poised with excellent cranberry and redcurrant flavours plus a thread of sophisticated spice. Medium-bodied with good palate tension. Love this. Top Rank Toni Paterson 5/2019
and Mike Bennie ? (The Wine Front)…
“lot of power for a Adelaide Hills Shiraz, deep and brooding in character, showing mulberry and concentrated forest berry fruitiness among choc-cherry richness and there’s decent sprinkle of sweet spice too. Has presence and impact from the get-go, but still maintains a lift and prettiness underlying. Best of both worlds, in a way”
and Points, Medals no words? got a couple of 'em!
The Real Review – 93 Silver | TOP RANK
Adelaide Hills Wine Show – Gold
a little price comparison and not available now, but was $19.99 at K&L
fwiw
Anderson Hill O Series Australian Shiraz (2018)
Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Apologies for being late with the rattage… I forgot what day it was!
Like @tbuttitt, we didn’t take time to decant this wine, and I don’t think it hurt the experience. We agreed with having only a limited bouquet—hint of cherry, maybe some pepper, but nothing immediate and nothing overwhelming. The initial taste was welcoming—it is indeed a dark wine, already relaxed and drinkable now.
We decided to let it sit for a few moments and check back in through the evening. An hour in, we’re able to pick up more distinct flavors: dark berries, black licorice. This is a well-balanced wine; soft tannins with an easy mouth feel. Still later in the night, one sampler noted that they liked it as it was dry without being bitter, and not overly thin in either flavor or texture. Did we mention the deep color?
Saving the rest of the bottle for day #2, this wine was referred to as “delightful” and “inviting” and “lovely”. Still holding its richness, it’s a great wine serve up at a dinner party or to make a first impression. Structure is sound now, and probably would be great in the cellar for at least a few more years. We thought a more than fair deal would be $15-17/bottle, so we’re right in at the case price.
Many thanks to Alice, WD & Anderson Hill for the opportunity to Rat! Cheers!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2018 Anderson Hill O Series Australian Shiraz - $55 = 21.56%
/giphy beastly-gothic-skeleton
New world or old world style? What do you Ratters think? Can the producer pipe in with a pH?
Cheers,
Scott
@ScottHarveyWine @winedavid49 @wccwinegirl
David, Alice; either of you two able to rattle up the producer or more info?