2003 Noon Winery Eclipse Grenache Shiraz 750ml

Noon Eclipse brings together the generosity of McLaren Vale Grenache and the depth of Langhorne Creek Shiraz in a distinctly South Australian red. The 2003 is a Grenache-led blend, with 68% Grenache and 32% Shiraz, and offers the opportunity to explore a powerful vintage after more than two decades of bottle age.

The growing season was exceptionally demanding. Low winter rainfall, heat and severe drought reduced the crop before February rain created further challenges in the vineyard. The eventual harvest was small, but Noon recorded striking concentration and richness in the finished Eclipse, supported by substantial structure rather than fruit weight alone.

The winery’s August 2026 tasting provides a useful picture of a well-preserved example: ripe plum fruit accompanied by tar and spice, with a notably full, densely flavoured palate. Tannins had become more rounded while retaining enough firmness to balance the wine’s generosity. As with any mature wine, the way an individual bottle shows will depend on its storage and condition.

For a sound, well-cellared bottle, the appeal is the meeting of ripe fruit and mature texture rather than youthful freshness. Allow the bottle to stand upright before opening so any sediment can settle, and extract the cork patiently with a tool suited to older corks. Taste before deciding how much air it needs; a gentle decant to separate sediment may be preferable to prolonged aeration. Serve slightly cool and follow its development in the glass.

Product Details

• Producer: Noon Winery
• Wine: Eclipse
• Vintage: 2003
• Region: McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek, South Australia
• Variety: 68% Grenache, 32% Shiraz
• Style: Full-bodied, mature dry red
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Closure: Cork
• Drinking Window: Mature now; the winery suggests potential through 2030 and beyond for well-cellared bottles with sound corks.

Food Pairing

Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, beef cheeks or a mushroom and lentil braise would complement the wine’s depth. Keep sauces savoury rather than sweet, and avoid excessive chilli so that a mature bottle’s subtler flavours can remain in focus.