[SOLD-OUT] Noon Winery Eclipse Grenache Shiraz 2008

Campbell Mattinson 94 points!
"Noon's Eclipse has traditionally been made using old vine grenache and shiraz from the Noon vineyard at McLaren Vale. This release marks a slight change of direction, with a small amount of estate cabernet and bush vine graciano now included in the blend. The blend wasn't broke but personally, on the strength of one release admittedly, I reckon Drew Noon is onto something ... it's not a major change, but it's a fine-tuning.

Due to drought and heat, there will not be an Eclipse produced from the 2009 vintage.

Straight up, it tasted different to previous releases - before I'd read that the blend had changed. The alcohol is still high but it seems less noticeable, which I put down to a gorgeous sense of juicy acidity. This sure is a lipsmacking drink. It tastes of dust and raspberries, raisins and hay. Look some more and you taste cloves and spice, plums and blackberry jubes. Lovely balance. Excellent freshness and vitality. And satiny mouthfeel. An outstanding release of Noon Eclipse."
Wine Front

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eRobertParker.com 94 points!
"Blended of Grenache, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Graciano, 2008 Eclipse has a medium-deep garnet-purple color and intense aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, menthol, cumin and fennel seed with some white pepper and a whiff of dusty earth. Full bodied and rich, the fruit is very opulent if a little straight-forward with crisp refreshing acid, medium-firm velvety tannins and a long finish. Drinking well now, it should develop a few more layers with 2-3 years in bottle and drink to 2023+.

In short, due to weather conditions, the only premium red produced in 2008 was Noon Eclipse (no Reserve Shiraz or Cab produced),- reported Drew Noon. -The 2008 marks a change to the traditional blend of Grenache and Shiraz, to include a little Cabernet and Graciano fruit. We always intended for the Graciano fruit to be included in Noon Eclipse but only after 10 years in the ground do we feel the time is right to begin introducing it to the blend. In 2009 we had the reverse situation, where the old Grenache vines suffered stress and no 2009 Eclipse was produced.- Noon follows biodynamic principals on the winery estate, though does not seek certification."
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate # 192 Dec 2010

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Country:

Australia

Region:

SA- McLaren Vale

Variety:

Wine Red - Grenache

Size:

750mL