Clarendon Hills - Astralis Clarendon 2008 (750ml)

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Price: $259.99

Producer	Clarendon Hills
Country	Australia
Region	McLaren Vale
Varietal	Proprietary Red
Vintage	2008
Sku	130150
Size	750ml

Winemakers Notes

The Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah 2008 is a phoenix that rose from the atrocities of the 2008 heat wave vintage. Most wines in 2008 were marred by the devastating 20-day-long heat wave where minimum temperatures didn’t go below 38 ˚ C and maximum temperatures elevated above 42 ˚ C. Enter the low yield ancient Astralis vineyard and this was picked at the very beginning of the heat wave and was spared the heat’s devastating consequence. The result is legendary. Weighing in with 99 points from Wine Advocate, this wine is truly a hedonist’s delight. Earthy forest floor, autumnal underbrush and autumnal notes flow through this multi-layer and decadent example. While representative of a hot year, the majestic Astralis vineyard is brimming with perfectly weighted and integrated acidity that continues to keep this wine fresh and alive. At 15 years of age the Astralis cuvee appears extremely ‘old world’ in its disposition and you would be hard to pick this as Australian. Layer with earth, chocolate, flowers, coco powder, black olive, black tea, mahogany, leather boots and caramel macaron-like silky palate. This a mature example that will continue to develop and should see a plateau of development in another 15 years that will extend for another 20 years. Lots of life ahead for this already stunning cellar mature example. Members only.

Critical Acclaim

99 points Wine Advocate

Picked before the heat and weighing in at a reasonable 14.5% alcohol, the 2008 Astralis Syrah (tasted from magnum) is singing. Showing no bricking at the rim, scents of cracked pepper, mint, bay leaf, thyme, lavender and blueberries pour out of the glass, adding meaty notes and hints of espresso and black olive with air. Full-bodied, creamy-textured and supple on the long finish, this wine shouldn't be missed. If you've got one, open it and see for yourself. (JC)

96 points James Suckling

From an early, warm vintage. There’s a complex, spicy feel with roasted meat and earthy notes to the blackberries and ripe red and dark plums. Cocoa and rust, as well as terra cotta. The palate has an intense, ripe dark-plum and blackberry core and strikingly powerful, dense tannins. Long, pure fruit and sweet earthiness. Drink over the next decade or more.

94 points Wine Enthusiast

A step up from the other Syrahs in the 2008 Clarendon Hills' lineup, the Astralis is firmly tannic and should be long-lived. The masses of rich black-cherry fruit are amply framed by cedary oak without ever being overwhelmed, with the fruit persisting on the long finish. *Cellar Selection* (JC)

94 points Wine Spectator

Dense and chewy, bursting with juicy blueberry and dark plum fruit, this weaves black olive and spice notes into the long and grippy finish. Shows consistency throughout. (HS)