Langhorne Creek, Australia
Bleasdale Vineyards is Australia's second oldest family owned winery. Established in 1850 by English migrant Frank Potts, Bleasdale is owned and operated by fifth generation members of the Potts family, and is located in the picturesque Langhorne Creek Region of South Australia. The vineyards are situated on the fertile flood-plains of the Bremer River which runs parallel to Langhorne Creek.
Bleasdale was names to the list of 2025 Halliday Top 100 Wineries.
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The Iron Duke
| SKU | 768933 |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Langhorne Creek |
| Type | Red |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Listing | |
| Case Config. | 6x750ml |
| Available In | BC AB |
Colour
Dark purple.
Aroma
Deeply pitched aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, incense and vanilla are lifted by a peppery spice nuance and a suggestion of smoky minerals.
Flavour
Medium bodied with an infusion of French oak flavour and firm lingering tannins.
Food Pairing
Pair this with a grilled rib-eye steak, a juicy wagyu cheeseburger or Irish beef stew.
More Info
During the 1870s Imperial Russia was considered the British Empire’s most dangerous enemy. On the distant shores of South Australia, a very real (but quite unfounded) fear of invasion followed, and volunteers were rallied to keep the marauding Russians at bay.
Frank Potts led the local army equipped with his trusty muzzle-loader ‘The Iron Duke’, named for the Duke of Wellington. This wine celebrates Frank’s community leadership.
This wine has been naturally fined and racked before bottling without filtration, it is normal for some sediment to form. Decanting two hours prior to drinking is recommended.
James Halliday's AWC, Jun/2025
2023 -
"Consistently a refined and elegant interpretation. Tasted way too young, but I didn’t care because it’s lovely. Full of redcurrants and mulberries, Cadbury Old Gold Rum N Raisin, freshly picked mint and spicy, cedary oak. The palate is balanced, rather juicy from acidity, yet flush with fine tannins. A keeper." - Jane Faulkner
James Halliday's AWC, Aug/2024
2022 -
"The Iron Duke is a 'best of barrels' selection, matured for 12 months in French oak puncheons (20% new). This is a substantial cabernet, classic in its styling, leafy and elegant where it needs to be but otherwise fruit-filled and plush. Whispers of smoked cedar and resin are the perfect complement to pure blackcurrant, rust, graphite and mint. This label has been on a superb, class-leading run of form in recent years, and once again, its quality is right up there." - Campbell Mattinson
James Halliday's AWC, Jul/2022
2020 -
"A best-of-the-best barrel selection. The bright colour is as it should be, the bouquet rimmed with the violets that are often talked about (not by me, until, that is, you come across a wine such as this). Notes of cedar and cassis are not far behind in their appeal. Then the glory of this magnificent wine's palate takes total control of all the senses, the sheer intensity of the fruit making the finely tempered tannins and French oak applaud from the wings of the stage."
James Suckling, Jun/2019
2015 -
"This has a deeply fleshy, mellow and plush feel with a wealth of ripe plums and mulberries, gently dressed in leafy notes and delivering a smoothly rendered palate that holds fine, long and supple. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
James Halliday's AWC, Aug/2016
2013 -
"Open-fermented, 8-12 days on skins, matured for 12 months in French oak (25% new), one trophy, three gold medals. Deep crimson-purple; the Iron Duke indeed: a full-bodied cabernet taking no prisoners. Don't fight, you won't win. Just find a cool, dark place, leave it there for a minimum of 20 years and then start the discussion."
James Halliday's AWC, Aug/2016
2012 -
"Deep crimson-purple; an immaculately crafted cabernet, ticking every box; while the blackcurrant fruit is first and foremost on the fragrant bouquet and perfectly balanced and constructed full-bodied palate, it's far from a one-trick pony. Since first tasted in Jan ?15 it has grown another leg, with a quite different outcome in its style, but not its points."
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Oct/2015
2012 -
"(aged for 11 months in large new and used French oak casks): Dark purple. Deeply pitched aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, incense and vanilla are lifted by a peppery spice nuance and a suggestion of smoky minerals. Sweet, velvety and open-knit, with palate-staining dark fruit liqueur, rose pastille and mocha flavors given focus and spine by zesty acidity. Closes silky, energetic and extremely long, with harmonious tannins and suave echoes of sweet dark fruits and spicecake. There's surprising elegance here given the wine's opulence."