2014 Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Shiraz 750 ml

The Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz is widely recognized as one of the greatest expressions of the grape in all of Australia — in the league of Penfolds Grange, Henschke Hill of Grace and Astralis from Clarendon Hills. A pioneer in the region, Ron Laughton continues to craft wines that form the benchmark for excellence in Australian Shiraz, and 2014 was no exception. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has raved “these wines are simply incredible,” and pinned a 94+ score on the bottle we’re offering today. “Packed with full-bodied opulence in the mouth, the tannins are ripe and velvety while the finish is effortlessly harmonious. Love it.” 
 
Ron Laughton walked away from a lucrative job at Kraft working in food technology, determined to use his scientific background to unlock the vinicultural potential of his native soil. His vision was simple and organic: grow his favorite grape, Shiraz, in a cool climate, dry-farmed, on its own roots. In Heathcote in the early 1970s, he found a site for ideal his purposes — a strip of deep red Cambrian soil between two fault lines, permitting low-vigor growth in the vines without irrigation. At an elevation of 1,000 feet, nights here are crisp and chilly while the daytime is warm, making for BB-sized berries of mouthwatering acidity and gorgeous concentration.   This is one of the wines most evocative of the terroir of its birthplace we've ever tasted. One sip of this perfumed magenta powerhouse, combining stunning dark red fruit with fabulous vibrancy, and we are transported to those ancient, red Cambrian hillsides.
 
Jasper Hill’s two vineyards are named after Laughton’s daughters. The wines of Emily’s Paddock are known for their aromatics. The Georgia’ Paddock Shirazes are all about power, structure, and incredible cellaring potential, with The Wine Advocate writing: “It goes without saying that these impeccably made wines age beautifully.” Enjoy this dark-hued beauty now for its terrific fruit, or lay down for a decade or to let it amass even greater sophistication and complexity.