| Community Tasting Notes (average 89.9 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 37 notes) - hiding notes with no text |
| | Tasted by mtnbarry on 4/16/2021 & rated 95 points: Spectacular! Thankfully, waited on the last couple bottles. Velvety texture, gobs of flavors, well integrated funk, super long lingering finish and just enough freshness to maintain composure. So worth the wait. (647 views) |
| | Tasted by lkilpio on 9/22/2019 & rated 93 points: Bought at the Sydney airport in May 2010. This was my first encounter with high-class Australian Syrah-wines; I have earlier stack with the Syrahs from the Northern Rhône valley. The new experience was very positive. The wine was full-bodied, very fruity, very intensive and soft, displaying very nice aromas and flavors of ripe dark fruits and berries. This wine is in a very nice phase at the moment. It was really worth ageing it for almost 10 years. (1075 views) |
| | Tasted by Salwilk on 5/21/2016 & rated 91 points: Still quite vibrant dark purple colour.
Nose suggests some depth and the palate confirms with nice layers of dark fruit flavour and some chocolate in there as well - quite closed initially but opened up over time - no rush with this wine maybe another 5 years (2734 views) |
| | Tasted by Ranuka on 2/26/2016 & rated 90 points: Very good (2921 views) |
| | Tasted by BruceandVivian on 8/1/2015 & rated 92 points: Great wine smooth and velvety After 11 years in the cellar it was still a fantastic wine (3173 views) |
| | Tasted by SeattlePaul on 10/24/2014 & rated 90 points: Inky, dark, rich. Delicious balance, and will turn your tongue 8 shades of midnight. (3210 views) |
| | Tasted by kirschke on 12/16/2012 & rated 88 points: Got better over the evening but really has no character to set it apart from any other wine at lower price points... (5493 views) |
| | Tasted by RandyC on 8/31/2012 & rated 90 points: A solid wine, however this lacked the smoothness of an excellent offering. Fruit was good however the aproach was tannic and choppy. A wine that may improve with further aging, but the wine just was on the brink of something more now. Should the fruit engage with the oak later this could be a real treat. (4408 views) |
| | Tasted by cmaldoon on 5/20/2012 & rated 90 points: Steady favorite as always (4593 views) |
| | Tasted by Mark Brandon on 2/25/2012 & rated 92 points: Bigger, smooth, velvet red with streaks of blue. (4197 views) |
| | Tasted by Mark Brandon on 2/25/2012 & rated 92 points: Getting smoother and more velvety. (4676 views) |
| | Tasted by BullseyeOregon on 2/4/2012 & rated 91 points: The aroma of red fruits and leather don't match the deeper cherry flavors. Perhaps this wine is just complex. The highlight of this is the rich velvety mouth feel. I find this wine very pleasant for savoring alone, it does not need an accompaniment, it has everything necessary to stand alone, proud. (2615 views) |
| | Tasted by Doherty007 on 1/20/2012 & rated 82 points: Very smooth. Plum, long tannins and easy to drink. Surprisingly good with pork chops. (2355 views) |
| | Tasted by xtrmjoe on 12/25/2011 & rated 89 points: My system (nose mouth finish) /+/, with x-mas dinner bottle number 17342, from Julie, nice wine they liked it better than I. (2111 views) |
| | Tasted by Motz on 11/3/2011 & rated 89 points: This wine has several qualities that make a good wine. The acidity is good (though it largely masks the tannins), it is concentrated, the peppery qualities of syrah come through nicely, it is a dry wine, not an Aussie fruit bomb. This being said, I don't think any of these features are in harmony. The nose is pleasant, of dark fruit, earthy, similar to a young Gigondas. The wine hits the palate immediately up front but offers little on the mid palate and a short hot finish. The wine is over-oaked for my taste. The acid is very high. The wine may have needed more time to come together as many good qualities were present. The score is based on what might be instead of what was. (2558 views) |
| | Tasted by cmaldoon on 10/26/2011 & rated 91 points: Popped and poured
Rich smooth berry flavors backed by hints of spice and leather from the age. Deeply concentrated. This wine is beautiful right now. (2764 views) |
| | Tasted by cmaldoon on 7/21/2011 & rated 91 points: Popped and poured through a vinturi, compared notes after sitting for an hour, the same.
Color: Deep almost opaque Garnet
Nose: Blackberry, Dried Plum, Violets, hint of ethanol/eucalyptus
Flavor: Ripe purple fruits upfront and continuing through the middle. Spices - white pepper and licorice the fruits and this all disolves into a plesant mochga carmel finish.
Feel: Medium to low acidity, barest hint of tannin.
Overall - smooth, deep, rich. Can be enjoyed on its own or with something mild. Can go well with deserts too I'd bet (2996 views) |
| | Tasted by rcdyer on 6/12/2011 & rated 88 points: A lot of berry flavor still there, while expecting more refined fruit. This bottle should have been held longer before drinking. (2852 views) |
| | Tasted by Brookesaff on 2/27/2011 & rated 92 points: Dusty and blackfruit on the nose, and still some alcohol heat. Beautifully incorporated oak with subtle mellowing tannins. Chocolate and cherries...just bloody beautiful. Could still go aanother 5 years. An absolute crime that they have discontinued this wine! Eating with lamb racks and couldn't be better. (3212 views) |
| | Tasted by BullseyeOregon on 6/25/2010 & rated 91 points: Deep purple with a bit of brick hue on the rim. The aroma had ripe fruit, cedar and leather. The flavor is very big and a bit soft. The tannins were restrained and the acidity was enough to balance the fruit.
Great to drink by itself, a little too assertive to be a "food wine". (3536 views) |
| | Tasted by Bacchant on 6/1/2010 & rated 88 points: Pretty dark magenta color with a clear ruby hue. Lighter in body than most Aussie reds. Initially a bit subdued on both the nose & the palate. Remained quite soft, but improved with air & temp. Add 2 points to the last glass. All told, for a Flagship McClaren Vale Shiraz, this was a little underwhelming. [14.5% abv.; $25.00]. (3523 views) |
| | Tasted by Yiannis on 4/20/2010 & rated 93 points: Top Aussies Wine Tasting, Cellier Wine Loft, Athens , Greece.
Best value wine of the tasting by far. Very dark purple. complex nose with leather, smoke, blackberries, plums and anise. Mid-full bodied with soft tanins, opulent fruit and balancing acidity. Long finish. Has a long to go. (3763 views) |
| | Tasted by Stefanos T. on 4/19/2010 & rated 92 points: Deep garnet, almost opaque, with blue hues on the rim. Intense and complex nose, smoky, mineral with graphite notes mostly. Floral, violets, ripe plums and sweet spices. Abundant red and black fruit. Very sweet flavours in the mouth which is full bodied with lots of ripe fruit. Very dense yet with balancing acidity. I have doubts nevertheless as to how it can match food being too sweet for my liking. Very well made and at a fair price for its quality, yet de gustibus... (3332 views) |
| | Tasted by jmcmchi on 4/10/2010 & rated 93 points: cellar door. Intense color, nose of ripe red fruit with olive notes. Balanced tannins and chewy fruit on palate lead to a long lingering finish. classic McLaren (3587 views) |
| | Tasted by ews3 on 5/9/2009 & rated 94 points: Wine Spectator Grand Tour 2009 (Borgata -- Atlantic City, NJ): Black fruit, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, black cherry, currant. well integrated tannins. long finish. great, and a surprise at the price point. (6891 views) |
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