Seppeltsfield Single Vintage Old Para Tawny 2003

19.5 / 20 Points - Matthew Jukes “I was fortunate to taste another Para Tawny, this time a rare 100% Shiraz version of the famous ‘21 Years’ release.  I have been a fan of this wine with it appearing in my 100 Best Australian Wines initiative in past editions.  I was keen to include it in the 2025 Report but there is no stock currently in the UK.  The reason for me mentioning this wine today is that this 2003 vintage is utterly sublime.  It shows sensational concentration, complexity and freshness and the layers of fruit and spice appear never-ending.  With regard to value for money, this wine must be in the running for the greatest value fortified wine of the moment, and I include all Ports, Maderias and Sherries in this bold statement.   This is certainly one of the greatest Paras I have tasted, and I have been lucky to visit the estate and taste a huge number.”

98 Points - Dave Brookes, Halliday.com "Single-vintage tawny from the 2003 vintage, shiraz fortified with brandy spirit and laid down for oxidative aging in old hogsheads. I can sit down and sniff this all day. It constantly shifts, like watching the light and clouds move from a mountain viewpoint. Caramalised dried citrus fruits and rind, rancio, espresso, candied hazelnuts, mahogany, grilled figs sprinkled with brown sugar, praline, layered wood spice, toffee apple, salted caramel, pipe tobacco, brandy snaps and leather. Fresh, viscous and unctuously sweet it unfurls across the palate in slow motion, endlessly complex and rumbles off just as slowly, spice, died fruit and woody tones in its wake."
Published 07 August 2024