2022 Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz, Barossa Valley

I'm liking the recent releases of the Orphan Bank. They are less percussive ... crunchier and juicier in their fruit profile. Still with classic plummy, black-fruited goodness with layers of spice and an earthy resonance that could be nothing else but Barossan. The tannin architecture is fine and sandy, its acidity bright and fresh and the oak nestles into the fruit nicely with a slow fade.

94 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz is one of the Barossa Valley’s great heritage wines, a powerful yet deeply soulful expression drawn from some of the oldest Shiraz vines on the planet. The Orphan Bank vineyard sits along the banks of the North Para River, planted in the 1850s and 1860s, with vines that have survived phylloxera, world wars and generations of change. These are true Barossa Ancestors, dry grown, own rooted and producing naturally low yields of intensely flavoured fruit.

Langmeil’s story is inseparable from Barossa history. Founded in 1842, the winery played a pivotal role in preserving old vine vineyards at a time when many were being pulled out. The restoration of the historic Langmeil village and the protection of vineyards like Orphan Bank cemented the estate’s reputation as a custodian of Barossa heritage. Orphan Bank Shiraz is the flagship of that philosophy, a wine that honours vine age, site and tradition without losing polish.

The vineyard’s sandy loam soils over clay, combined with the moderating influence of the river, help temper Barossa’s warmth, giving balance and aromatic lift to what could otherwise be a purely muscular wine. The result is Shiraz of depth and authority, but also detail and freshness.

In the glass, the wine is dark, brooding and layered. Black plum, blackberry and mulberry form the core, joined by liquorice, dark chocolate and warm spice. With air, more savoury notes emerge. Black olive, roasted meat, earth and subtle cedar add complexity and gravitas. The palate is full bodied and richly textured, yet remarkably composed. Tannins are firm but finely grained, providing structure without harshness, while acidity keeps the wine focused and long. The finish is powerful and persistent, echoing dark fruit, spice and savoury depth.

This is a wine built for the long haul. While it can be enjoyed now with generous decanting, Orphan Bank Shiraz truly rewards patience, comfortably evolving over twenty years or more. With time, expect layers of leather, game, spice and earthy complexity to emerge while the core of fruit remains intact. At the table, it demands robust fare. Slow roasted lamb, barbecued beef, venison or richly flavoured dishes are natural partners.

Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz is not just a great Barossa wine, it is a piece of Australian wine history. Powerful, expressive and deeply rooted in place, it remains a benchmark for old vine Shiraz and a must have for serious collectors.