It’s all too easy to throw around words such as “unique”, “monumental”, “stunning” and other superlatives when it comes to wine. But in the case of Seppeltsfield and their fortified wines, it’s almost impossible to avoid such hyperboles.
The Seppeltsfield Decanter
Indeed, the historic estate in the Barossa literally defies comparison. In 1878, not long after the winery’s beginnings, founder Joseph Seppelt had the almost unimaginable idea of setting aside a barrel of his finest wine that year, and every year thereafter, with the intention of waiting an entire century before bottling. Thus was born the 100-year-old Para Tawny – ever since 1978 the world’s only 100-year-old wine to be released annually.
This month marks yet another milestone in the awe-inspiring tradition. Partnering with world-renowned crystal maker Lalique, Seppeltsfield is bottling 150 specially crafted decanters with their coveted tawny Port. The “Seppeltsfield Decanter” is derived from the same barrels used for the vintage edition, yet comprises a blend with an average age of 100 years.
Just as with the “normal” (for want of a better term!) bottling, the final concoction now residing in the said 150 Lalique decanters represents a mere fraction of the original volume of wine. Over the decades, more than 80% of the barrels’ water content may evaporate while at the same time the wine is gradually oxidized. The result is a deep black, oozing, treacle-like mouthful.
Yet the selection of vintages combined in the decanter stand out in that years as old as 1886 are combined with much “younger” (again, for want of a better term!) years such as 1970. As Warren Randall, Seppeltsfield’s Managing Director explains, “We wanted something that showed the sheer age capability of Seppeltsfield’s Tawny parcels and the corresponding concentration of flavor, but also for the wine to have drinkability”, says Warren. “I call it the Titan blend,” he adds.
Of course, Alsace-based Lalique, named after the much-lauded French glass and jewelry designer René Lalique, is not new to high-profile collaborations. As you may know, James himself is one such personality, having worked on the Lalique James Suckling 100 points universal glass and now entire range. (Click here for the latest developments.)
And the Seppeltsfield Decanter is unquestionably as captivating aesthetically as it is sensorily. In particular, Lalique’s pin-point, hand-driven workmanship brings out perfectly the impressive motifs of palm trees that cover the tear-shaped decanter. It takes you back to the rows upon rows of the same trees that lead right up to the old Seppelt mausoleum in the Barossa, where members of the same family who harvested the same grapes that went into the Seppeltsfield decanter still reside. Quite a mouthful – and what product other than wine encapsulates all that?
Click here for Contributing Editor Nick Stock’s tasting note on the Seppeltsfield Decanter, and do check out the video below.
The Seppeltsfield Decanter designed by Lalique from Seppeltsfield on Vimeo.
The Seppeltsfield Decanter sells for $10,000 AUD. If you are interested, please contact Chad Elson at [email protected].
– Jack Suckling
