Langmeil Winery has a rich history dating back to 1842, when Christian Auricht established one of the Barossa's first trading villages on the banks of the North Para River and named it Langmeil. Auricht had migrated from Prussia in 1838 seeking religious freedom for his family in the new world. He established a smithy and began tending a mixed farm and in 1843 he planted one acre of Shiraz vines on the estate, which is still producing fruit today. The vineyard is believed to be the oldest surviving Shiraz vineyard in the world and is now the source of Langmeil's icon wine, The Freedom 1843 Shiraz. The winery changed hands several times over the years and in 1996, three local mates collaborated to purchase and restore the property. They revived the old vineyard and named it The Freedom and Langmeil's first harvest from the vineyard was in 1997. Today, Langmeil is family-owned and internationally recognized as one of the Barossa's premium wine producers. The winery attracts visitors from all over the world to its cellar door and the restored village grounds.
Langmeil's commitment to making wines that express and embrace the unique characteristics of the Barossa high country is evident in its custodianship of the historic Eden Valley vineyard, which is home to the Pure Eden Shiraz vineyard and the single vineyard old vine Wattle Brae Riesling and High Road Chardonnay. The Freedom 1843 Shiraz has been lauded by wine critics and was re-classified in the prestigious Langton's Classification VII honour roll in the 'Outstanding' category, which describes "The best of Australian winemaking practices, vineyard provenance and regional voice." The Freedom Cellar, which was originally the Cobbler's shop in the historic trading village, has been restored and is now the ultimate location to sample Langmeil's Old Vine Garden wines as part of an intimately hosted winery and historic vineyard experience.
The Langmeil Lineage Shiraz 2017 is a wine that pays homage to the persistence and patience required to cultivate Shiraz, while also celebrating the grape variety's rich history and pedigree. Shiraz's lineage can be traced back to Roman times, but it wasn't until the 1840s that the Barossa began its journey with this classic grape variety. Professor Johannes Menge, with his incisive foresight, advised Prussian migrants that viticulture had great potential to thrive in "New Silesia," and his advice proved to be true. The Barossa Valley's unique climate and soil conditions have made it an ideal location for growing Shiraz, and the Langmeil Lineage Shiraz 2017 is a testament to the region's winemaking heritage. This wine is a must-try for anyone who appreciates the rich history and complexity of Shiraz.
The Langmeil Lineage Shiraz 2017 is a deep crimson wine with purple hues. It boasts an intense aroma of ripe Satsuma plum, mocha, vanilla, and savoury notes, complemented by hints of cedar and sweet spices. On the palate, the wine offers rich, sweet fruit, beautifully balanced with briary and sweet spices, as well as silky tannins. This full-bodied and textural wine displays great complexity, with notes of cedar and allspice flowing through to the lengthy, bramble fruit finish. The wine has undergone oak treatment, with 50% new French oak and 50% seasoned French oak and has spent twenty-six months in oak. This has contributed to the wine's depth and complexity. The Langmeil Lineage Shiraz 2017 is a must-try for anyone who appreciates a rich and full-bodied wine.
Medium to deep ruby red. Mulberry, mocha, and coconut oil aromatics all lift from the glass. Palate is weighty with dark fruits and cola spices yet for all its intensity there?s a vibrancy that surprises. Great length and drive: it sits in a unique pathway across the tongue that contrasts amazing intensity with a unique subtlety. Serious shiraz that shows a gifted understanding of the fruit. - The Real Review, 97 Points