Jim Barry Clare Valley The Armagh 1990

Opens with gentle waves of tobacco leaf, soy, woodfire, smoked earth, sandalwood. Even at 33 years old, this has retained fresh acidities and is still going strong, although very much in its tertiary phase with fading colour on the edges of the glass, an emphasis on crushed roses, incense and fragrant spice rather that fruit, with autumnal berries just coming in on the mid palate and a sweet pastry finish. The tannins are full of welcoming pleasure, not pushing too hard, slap bang in its drinking window. 100% new American oak, low 25h/h yield. Mark Barry winemaker, bottled unfiltered and unfined.