The 2002 Elderton Ashmead Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is widely considered one of the finest Cabernets from the Barossa Valley. It is a powerful, rich wine produced from vines planted in 1944, currently sitting in its fully mature peak drinking window.
🏆 Professional Ratings
- Robert Parker (The Wine Advocate): 93-95 Points. Parker described it as "sensational" and "impressively endowed".
- James Halliday: 94 Points. Halliday noted its deep red-purple color and persistent, ripe tannins.
- Jeremy Oliver: 93 Points. Oliver praised its elegant and polished structure, describing it as surprisingly restrained despite its concentration.
- CellarTracker Community: Avg ~91-92 Points.
🍷 Tasting Notes (Tasting Review)
- Aromas: A classic "cigar box" profile. It features intense notes of graphite, cedar, tobacco leaf, and blackcurrants (cassis). Some reviews also highlight hints of mint, eucalyptus, and dried herbs.
- Palate: Full-bodied and concentrated. Expect deep flavors of stewed black fruits, plums, dark chocolate, and licorice. The oak (60% American, 40% French) has integrated well over time, adding vanillin and spice.
- Structure: It possesses high alcohol (14.5%) and firm, velvet-smooth tannins that have softened with age.