Jim Barry Wines is one of Australia’s most respected family producers, synonymous with Clare Valley excellence and responsible for some of the most iconic wines in the country. The Armagh stands at the absolute pinnacle of the estate’s portfolio — a single-vineyard Shiraz first produced in 1985 and now considered one of Australia’s greatest and most collectible wines. With tiny yields, meticulous vineyard management, and uncompromising attention to detail, The Armagh has earned global acclaim for its power, purity, and longevity. The 2016 vintage is widely regarded as one of the modern greats.
Vineyard
The Armagh vineyard was planted in 1968 on a gently sloping site in the Clare Valley, named after the Irish settlement of Armagh nearby. The vines are old, low-yielding, and deeply rooted in fertile red clay soils over limestone, producing small berries of immense concentration. Dry-grown farming, meticulous pruning, and careful fruit selection ensure staggering intensity and structure — the hallmarks that define Armagh’s unmistakable style.
Vintage
2016 was an exceptional year in the Clare Valley. A warm, even growing season with cool nights allowed Shiraz to achieve perfect phenolic ripeness while retaining natural acidity. Low yields produced fruit of extraordinary depth, density, and balance. Many critics consider 2016 one of the finest Armagh vintages of the past decade, promising profound ageing potential.
Winemaking
Fruit is hand-picked, fermented in small open fermenters, and gently plunged to maximise extraction while preserving purity. The wine is matured in a combination of French and American oak barrels (a significant proportion new), contributing layers of spice, structure, and complexity. The magnum format — paired with its Original Wooden Box (OWC) — further enhances longevity, making this one of the most prized ways to cellarly Armagh.
Tasting Notes
The 2016 Jim Barry The Armagh opens with a powerful bouquet of blackberry compote, plum, dark cherry, licorice, cocoa, cedar, roasted spice, and hints of cured meats. The palate is full-bodied, rich, and deeply layered — dense black fruit framed by firm yet refined tannins and perfectly integrated oak. Notes of dark chocolate, espresso, violets, graphite, and warm earth unfold with time. The finish is immense, sustained, and structurally commanding. A monumental Shiraz with decades ahead of it, even more profound in magnum.
Critics’ Acclaim
Regarded as one of the top modern Armagh releases
Praised for power, purity, and exceptional balance
Magnum format elevates collectability and ageing trajectory
Regularly ranked among Australia’s most prestigious single-vineyard Shiraz wines
Technical Information
Region: Clare Valley, South Australia
Producer: Jim Barry Wines
Variety: Shiraz
Format: 1.5L Magnum (OWC)
Alcohol: ~14.5–15%
Oak: French & American oak, substantial new component
Style: Full-bodied, powerful, age-worthy
Drinking Window: 2025–2055+ (longer in magnum)
A Collectible Gem
The 2016 Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz in magnum with its Original Wooden Box is an exceptional collector’s piece — powerful, richly structured, and built for monumental longevity. A definitive statement Clare Valley Shiraz and one of the most impressive large-format bottlings available in Australia.
