Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz 2013

Jim Barry's legendary Armagh is a forceful, powerfully tannic yet majestically elegant wine that will have no problems seeing out another 15-20 years in a lovely, cool dark cellar. You might even feel tempted to go down there and stand vigil over it, to make sure nobody disturbs its evolution. But beware, it is seriously enjoyable even now in its infancy, with flavours of red currants, black cherries and blueberries and an undercurrent of freshly turned earth and truffles, so you may find yourself proving a slightly useless guard.

The name ‘Armagh’ was bestowed on the area by the original Irish settlers who arrived in 1849, and named the lush rolling hills after their homeland. The vineyard was planted by Jim Barry in 1968 and yields less than two tonnes per acre. The soil is sandy-gravel and receives an average rainfall of 600mm per year. The vineyard lies on a north-west facing slope which acts as a natural sun trap, ensuring the fruit is always fully ripened when picked.

The late Jim Barry was a pioneer of the Australian wine industry. He was the first qualified winemaker to work in the Clare Valley of South Australia and with his wife, Nancy, built a successful wine business which has produced trophy-winning wines since its establishment in 1959. Today, the company is headed by Jim’s second son Peter, who took over from his father as Managing Director.

‘Sometimes it takes longer than a lifetime to do a lifetime's work… it's now up to my children.’ - Jim Barry 1925 – 2004.

Peter Barry joined his pioneer winemaking father, Jim, in 1977 as a cellar hand. Peter completed his degree in Oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College and returned home to Jim Barry Wines in 1982 and was appointed Managing Director in 1985. Peter has helped to develop and expand the company’s vineyards in the Clare Valley – Jim Barry now own and operate six vineyards in the Clare Valley and Coonawarra, totalling 635 acres. Peter is a tireless traveller and legendary story teller, who not only spreads the word of Jim Barry Wines, but is a strong and passionate supporter of Australian wines.

They say that ‘the 2008 vintage was one of the earliest, fastest and most hectic in recent memory’. Harvesting started two to three weeks earlier than the historical average. The weather gods looked kindly upon Clare during the harvest as the region experienced some of the coolest night time temperatures (9°C) ever recorded during that part of February.

In the mouth this wine really shows its true colours, with solid tannin structure playing an integral role in the overall picture. Flavours of red currants, black cherries and blueberries are in abundance, with an undercurrent of freshly turned earth and truffles in the background. The length of flavour and power in this wine, which still shows finesse and restraint, is what sets it at the zenith of red winemaking at Jim Barry Wines.