Magnum The Armagh Shiraz - Jim Barry - Clare Valley 2016 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

Tastingbook.com

99 / 100

byMarkus Del Monegothe9/22/2020

A sumptuous Shiraz displaying a lively purple colour with black core. Opulent nose with abundant fruit reminiscent of juicy blackberries, black cherries, ripe plums, fine toasting aroma, hints of liquorice and beetroots in the background. On the palate rich and meaty, yet showing elegance, with excellent complexity, depth and length. Ripe tannins and fine acidity built up an exciting tenions complemented by lots of fruit and mild spices lingering in the aftertaste. An impressing wine with great potential.

Decanter.com

99 / 100

byJane Ansonthe9/3/2020

Jamessuckling.com

99 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/11/2020

Wow. This is a bold, brassy shiraz that carries a wealth of very intense aromas of ripe blackberries, dark plums, licorice and sweetly spiced earth. Still so very youthful and primary. The palate is so powerful, so mouth-filling and so, so juicy. This manages to deliver such intensity and composure. Supple, long and deep-set tannins and heroically expressive fruit. Really impressive now, but this will deliver much more over the next two decades. One of the finest releases to date.

Wine Advocate

97 / 100

byJoe Czerwinskithe2/13/2020

My pick of the recently bottled vintages, the 2016 The Armagh Shiraz shows a bit more obvious oak (simply because of its youth) but also a wonderful taut tension between ripeness and acidity. The fruit here is a bit redder in profile, leaning more toward raspberries than blackberries, while still being fully ripe. Full-bodied and supple, it finishes cedary, intense and long, adding in complex, lingering spice notes.

Halliday Wine Companion

96 / 100

byJames Hallidaythe1/1/2020

The Barry team extracts the maximum from the vineyard with a deft (14.2% alcohol) touch. It's savoury, earthy, its tannins are four square and ready, charred meat in another channel. It's utterly original, whether or not the family thought they could match Grange. To know the wine you don't have to love it, but you do have to respect it.