Awards, Ratings & Reviews
98/100 — Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“One of the most colossal wines in all of my tastings was Jim Barry’s 2004 Shiraz The Armagh, a 100% Shiraz aged 16 months in French and American oak. It is an opaque purple-hued, super-intense effort displaying great precision and richness. Notes of melted asphalt, acacia flowers, blueberries, blackberries, charcoal, and espresso roast emerge from this full, dense, opulent Shiraz. The finish lasts for over 45 seconds. This is a great example of one of the icons of Australian Shiraz.”
96/100 — James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
“As ever, very dense purple-red; full-bodied, but nonetheless is disciplined, and holds its line and structure well; blackberry, licorice and dark chocolate with vanilla oak all coalesce; the wine should long outlive the cork.”
95/100 — Gismondi on Wine · 2004 Vintage · Tasted: Sep 2009
“The Armagh is a single vineyard made from dry farmed, low-yielding vines planted on their own roots in 1968. The first vintage was 1985 and most years the 8-acre Clare Valley site produces little more than a tonne to the acre. The '04 is dense with highly saturated fruit flavours of blueberries, blackberries, cedar and spice. It is a tad fatter and richer with obvious acidity and leather coming through in the finish.”
About This Wine
Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz is sourced from a single vineyard located two kilometres northwest of Clare township in the Clare Valley.
The vineyard was planted in 1968 on its own roots and derives its name from the nearby hamlet of Armagh, established by Irish settlers in 1849.
Recognised as one of Australia's iconic red wines, The Armagh holds an Exceptional rating in Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine and is renowned for its cellaring pedigree.
The wine is produced from 100% Shiraz and matured in French and American oak.
Producer Notes
Deep crimson colour.
Intense aromas of dark chocolate, caramel, maraschino cherry and aniseed.
The palate shows richly flavoured dark cherry, blackberry fruits, developed dark chocolate and tobacco notes, fine leafy textures and integrated mocha and espresso oak.
The finish is gravelly and firm with dark cherry and chinotto notes, supported by impressive fruit density and structure.
Specifications
- Vintage: 2004
- Grape Variety: Shiraz
- Region: Clare Valley / South Australia / Australia
- Fermentation: 100% Shiraz
- Maturation: 16 months in French and American oak
- Production Attributes: Single Vineyard, Dry Farmed
- Alcohol: 15.2%
- Closure: Cork
- Drinking Window: 2008-2034
- Winemaker: Peter Barry & Tom Barry
