2023 Elderton Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Elderton’s founder, Neil Ashmead, who sadly passed away far too early in 1997, will remember what a force of nature he was. One suspects he would have been absolutely delighted with this wine, a force of nature itself. From vines planted back in 1954 in Nuriootpa and 1980 in Greenock, it was first released in 2008. For this release, 16% whole bunches were included in the fermentation and the wine spent fourteen months maturing in French oak puncheons, 45% of them new. The colour here is a vibrant deep crimson/mahogany, while the nose exhibits rose petals, chocolate, mulberries, florals, blueberries, cassis and milk chocolate. The oak is deftly handled and leaves the wine with the impression of a silky texture, serious length and the finest satiny tannins imaginable. This is a wine for enjoying any time over the next ten to fifteen years. Love it. Drink 2025 to 2039.

95 points Ken Gargett for Wine Pilot, March 2025

Gorgeous, medium bodied Shiraz from Elderton’s Greenock vineyard with vines between 34 and 69 years old. The wine has an earthy minerality evident on the nose before it heads into the balanced medium weight palate. This is a bright wine of great intensity and energy. It has a beautiful balance of fine grained French oak, fine chalky tannins and thoughtfully delicious red berry fruit. Terrific wine. Drink 2025 to 2035.

95 points Ray Jordan for Wine Pilot, March 2025

The 2023 Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz hails from a cool, wet season not too dissimilar to 2017, if you wanted a comparison. The fruit is from vines grown in both Nuriootpa (69 years old) and Greenock (34 years old). Aromatically, the wine leads with strawberries and cherries, raspberries and pink peppercorns. In the mouth, the wine is fine and medium-bodied at best. This matured in French oak (40% new now, down from a much higher proportion in its first vintage in 2008), with some whole bunches in there, all of this making for a spicy, supple wine. It's really good. The vintage may have played into the hands of the style here—it all works cohesively. Drink 2024 to 2043.

94 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, September 2024

There's a lovely high-toned, raspberry-flecked aspect to this year's release with finely-honed satsuma plum, boysenberry and mulberry fruits beneath. Plenty of spicy, dark chocolate, tapenade, pan juices and earthy tones, too. It sits at the lighter end of full-bodied; there’s space here and an effortless sense of drinkability that will win over many an imbiber. Nice one. Drink 2024 to 2036.

94 points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, October 2024

A well-rounded, balanced and textural shiraz with aromas of crushed blackberries, fresh black pepper and warm herbs. It's full-bodied with velvety tannins. A dense core of berries and chocolate with a long, vivid, peppery and flavorful finish. Drink or hold. 

93 points James Suckling, March 2025

This pretty and evocative 2023 Shiraz Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer is well made and opens with beautifully pitched floral, five-spice and red cherry aromas. It’s fleshy yet manicured, with finer tannins that provide good support for enjoyment over the medium term. Drink 2026 to 2033.

92 points Angus Hughson for Vinous, August 2025

Elderton Wines was established in 1982 by Neil and Lorraine Ashmead on a historic Nuriootpa estate with vineyard origins dating to 1894. The second generation has now taken the lead, with brothers Cameron and Allister and their wives Jules and Rebecca looking after all aspects of the winery. The family vineyards span the Barossa Valley floor and the cooler, higher elevations of the Eden Valley, giving the range a breadth of style that few Barossa producers can match.

The Grand Tourer honours Neil Ashmead, Elderton's founder, whose energy and vision shaped what this estate became. First released in 2008, it draws on two estate sites — Nuriootpa vines planted in 1954 and Greenock vines from 1980 — each contributing a distinct character to the blend. Where the Command is a single block expression of the oldest Nuriootpa material, the Grand Tourer is a more blue-fruited style built for earlier enjoyment without sacrificing depth or complexity.

The 2023 was a cooler than average season in the Barossa and well suited to the Grand Tourer's more fragrant, medium to full-bodied style. Sixteen percent whole bunches were included in fermentation, contributing to the naturally fragrant nature of the fruit. The wine matured for fourteen months in new (45%) and seasoned French oak puncheons, building spice and texture while keeping the fruit bright and expressive.

The result is immediately appealing: rose petal, blueberry, mulberry and raspberry on the nose, with five spice, dark chocolate and a lick of tapenade adding savoury depth. The palate is fine and medium-bodied, with chalky tannins, vivid acidity and a long, effortlessly drinkable finish.

A wine that rewards opening now as much as cellaring for a decade. Enjoy with a Moroccan lamb tagine with preserved lemon and olives — the wine's spice and savoury depth will find the dish a natural partner.

Drink now through 2039.