The 2023 Armagh
Jim Barry 2023 Armagh: Three Generations, One Extraordinary Wine.
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"The '23 harvest has produced perhaps one of the most restrained and fine Armagh releases of all. This is a sublime wine of control, levity and sense of freshness, but it doesn't miss the trick of concentration. There are ripples of dark forest berries, dark chocolate and cola, with new leather, graphite minerality, green olive herbal lift and a lick of spicy oak seasoning like a cherry on top. Tannins are silky, the wine beautifully and evocatively perfumed. The quieter voice and elegance here is beautiful. A striking wine."99 Points – Halliday Wine Companion, Mike Bennie
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"The most elegant and harmonious expression of The Armagh ever produced".
In 1968, Jim Barry planted a single block of Shiraz in the Clare Valley, watering the young vines by hand to nurse them through drought and establish what would become one of Australia's most revered vineyards. The first Armagh was made in 1985, a wine born from those original vines. Released in 1989 at a time when much of the Australian wine industry was in retreat, with vineyards being pulled out across the country, The Armagh stood in defiance of that uncertainty.
Nearly four decades on, the conviction of the Barry Family has been vindicated. The 2023 The Armagh represents the culmination of fifteen years of deliberate refinement in both vineyard and winery- a patient pursuit of purity and finesse over power. The result is, by the winery's own estimation, the most elegant and harmonious expression of The Armagh ever produced.
That refinement has now been recognised with 99 points and the title of Shiraz of the Year, a landmark achievement that honours not only the current winemaking team but the two generations before them whose groundwork made this wine possible. From those first, hand-watered vines in 1968 to this milestone, the Armagh story is one of continuity, patience, and an unwavering commitment to place.
2023 The Armagh Tasting Note
An intensely aromatic bouquet bursts from the glass with punchy purple florals, lifted by hints of white pepper, green cardamom and sandalwood, while subtle notes of fresh vanilla pod. The palate is drenched in staining blackberry juice, layered with rich blueberry fruits, a touch of molasses and the distinctive allure of Luxardo cherry. Nuances of musk and cedar intertwine with savoury bay leaf, lending complexity and a dark, brooding character.
Both robust and elegant, the wine presents a compelling juxtaposition that captivates the senses. Fine, graphite-like tannins seamlessly integrate with and structure the densely concentrated fruit, while bright, driving acidity brings energy and poise. The result is a long, persistent and effortlessly moreish finish that leaves a lasting impression.
ALC: 13.9%, Total Acid: 6.2 g/L, pH: 3.5
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2023 Vintage Report
The 2023 growing season was the coolest we had experienced in more than 20 years. Generous spring and summer rainfall drove strong vine growth, requiring extensive shoot and crop thinning to restore balance and concentrate the fruit. The cool conditions delayed harvest until April, making it the latest vintage in The Armagh's history. This extended hang time allowed for slow, even flavour development and exceptional tannin maturity, producing a wine of remarkable elegance, purity and balance. We believe the 2023 is the most elegant and harmonious Armagh we have ever made and will be remembered as one of the finest in The Armagh's four-decade history.
THE ARMAGH VINEYARD
Located on a north-west facing slope at an elevation of 367 metres and bisected by the Armagh Creek, the western half of the vineyard is an alluvial flat, while the eastern half gently slopes towards the creek. The 70-acre property was previously owned by Duncan McRae Wood and used to graze dairy cows before being purchased by Jim and Nancy Barry in 1964. Located two kilometres northwest of Clare on the opposite side of the hill on which the Jim Barry Winery is located, it is home to the famed The Armagh, The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon, and The McRae Wood Shiraz. The vineyard derives its name from a nearby hamlet of Armagh, established by Irish settlers in 1849 and named after the lush, rolling hills of their homeland. In 1964, Jim Barry first plated 900 Malbec and 2500 Cabernet Sauvignon vines, followed by a further eight acres of Shiraz vines in 1968
Soil Profile
The area where the Armagh vineyard is found contains the region's oldest rock from the Rhynie Sandstone Formation, dating back more than 800 million years. The Armagh vineyard is characterised by a light brown, sandy clay topsoil with a pebbly alluvial layer overlaying a mottled clay subsoil.
The Fruit
Planted with shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec, the 50-year-old Shiraz vines follow the contours of the north-west-facing slopes to prevent soil erosion and ensure winter rains soak in. The combination of low-fertility soil and good exposure aids the natural devigoration of the vines, producing small-berried and intensely flavoured bunches. Receiving an average rainfall of 580mm per year, the vineyard requires minimal intervention to maintain yields of below 1.5 tonnes per acre, producing rich and concentrated fruit of the rare quality required to create exceptional wines with ageing potential.
