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Cambrien La Pleiade Shiraz 2003

  • Wine Advocate
    95 Points
Cambrien La Pleiade Shiraz 2003
  • Wine Advocate
    95 Points
Cambrien La Pleiade Shiraz 2003
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Cambrien La Pleiade Shiraz 2003

SKU: CLPS200310 UCAU
15 Plus Years
Regular price $69.99 / bottle
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Crafted in the cool-climate vineyards of Heathcote, La Pléiade reflects Cambrien’s commitment to expressing one of Australia’s most acclaimed Shiraz regions through meticulous vineyard selection and traditional winemaking.

A refined and expressive Shiraz that showcases the elegance and depth of Heathcote, making it a rewarding choice for customers seeking premium regional character with genuine boutique appeal.

Sourced from a premium private cellar

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Cambrien La Pleiade Shiraz 2003

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Tasting Notes

Cambrien La Pleiade Shiraz 2003 is a distinguished expression of Heathcote’s renowned Shiraz terroir, crafted with precision and passion. Originating from the cool-climate vineyards of this celebrated Australian region, this wine reflects Cambrien’s dedication to quality through meticulous vineyard selection and traditional winemaking techniques.

This refined and expressive Shiraz offers a compelling balance of elegance and depth. It showcases the characteristic peppery spice and rich dark fruit flavors that Heathcote Shiraz is famous for, complemented by subtle earthy undertones and well-integrated tannins. The 2003 vintage, noted for its favorable growing conditions, imparts a layered complexity and exceptional aging potential, making it an outstanding example from this acclaimed year.

Sourced from a premium private cellar, La Pleiade embodies genuine boutique appeal with each bottle representing the unique microclimate and soil composition of Heathcote’s vineyards. The wine’s structured yet supple profile makes it an ideal match for hearty grilled meats, savory stews, and aged cheeses, highlighting its versatility and depth.

Cambrien La Pleiade Shiraz 2003 stands as a testament to the premium quality achievable in one of Australia’s most celebrated Shiraz regions. Its heritage and craftsmanship deliver a luxurious, authentic tasting experience that enriches any wine collection with regional character and artisanal finesse.

Critic Scores

Cambriens is a small vineyard operation/partnership between Michel Chapoutier (renowned for his Rhone Valley cuvees) and the Laughton family, who claim to possess some of Heathcote’s as well as Australia’s finest soils. Cropped at a measly 8 hectoliters per hectare, this spectacular 200-case garagiste debut release exhibits a dense purple color along with gorgeous aromas of smoke, graphite, white chocolate, black currants, sweet berries, and notions of mocha as well as espresso. Full-bodied yet extraordinarily precise and elegant, this beautifully made, pure, intense, seamlessly constructed Shiraz possesses considerable tannin, and should age effortlessly for 10-15 years. Kudos to Michel Chapoutier and the Laughton family.

Vinification & Cultivation

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Vineyard Cultivation

Cambrien's Shiraz vineyard is located in Heathcote, Victoria, an established region known for full-bodied red wines. The 2003 vintage was a notably warm year in Victoria, creating concentrated fruit and higher potential alcohol levels. Heathcote's red volcanic soils (sometimes called 'Terra Rossa') provide excellent drainage and mineral character, characteristics that have shaped the region's reputation since the 19th century. Cambrien's La Pleiade vineyard benefits from north-facing slopes that capture maximum solar exposure. The warm 2003 growing season saw rapid sugar accumulation and early ripening, conditions that produced Shiraz with ripe, concentrated character typical of that vintage's regional profile.

Vinification

The 2003 Shiraz underwent traditional handling including gentle crushing and primary fermentation in open vessels, allowing extended skin contact to extract colour and tannins. The warm vintage supported vigorous fermentation that progressed naturally. Following fermentation's completion, the wine was aged in oak—likely French oak based on premium Heathcote practice—for an extended period suited to Shiraz's tannin structure. The warm vintage produced wines with good ageing potential, and the winemaker would have extended the maturation period to allow tannin development and oak integration. By this stage of the wine's life, approximately 20 years of bottle age should have softened initial tannins considerably.

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