My 28th and last bottle and I'm still enamored with this wine. First bottle opened was back on 7/3/06. Still drinking beautifully with plum notes and soft tannins and still throwing off fine sediment.
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This 2004 is ageing gracefully, with top notes of cinnamon and mace, massive muscular power in the middle and a peppery finish. Excellent. Still years of pleasure left in it.
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So it has been 12 months since I gave this wine a small belting. I checked it over the hours as it sat in the decanter and tannin structure moved from puckering to dry to starting to soften and then rounding out. Finish improved in length as time went on. Being a Sunday night 6 hrs in I gave up and started drinking, dont want to be too hungover for Monday at the pickle factory. Anyway, its appearance does show typical age characteristics but it is still remarkably young for its age and price point. McLaren Vale purple fruit over herbaceous, over time it moved from savoury to slightly lush, Viognier gives it that sparkle of elegance, however it is still quite drying yet strangely enjoyable. Have warmed to this immensely and am a tad annoyed I have only one more left. Truely one of our better steals at the approx RRP $30. Try again mid 2018, more time needed. Almost a 92....
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Fast coming to the conclusion that bottle variance is almost a typical d'Arenberg trait. I have often stated that I am not one of the d'Arenberg 'ra-ra boys' as I find their wines more often are short finishing like falling off a cliff. This bottle was no exception, dry, fruitless and a disappointing short finish, however past d'Arenberg experience tells me time in the cellar could solve this problem, although nervous about potentially being past its best. Small glimmer of hope after 4 hours in the decanter..... confused.com
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Good drinking wine with good QPR. There's much more life in this vintage if properly stored. Great wine for a good dinner with friends. Nice fruit, good (not great) color. Nice nose. This isn't a difficult wine which makes it easy to enjoy.
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My 24th bottle and I'm still enamored with this wine. First bottle opened was back on 7/3/06. Still drinking beautifully with plum notes and soft tannins and still throwing off fine sediment.
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Wonderfully balanced, strength and vigour present. Showing no sign of decay but it can't be far away. Lucky I have 2 left, one next year, and one the year after.
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- Garnet color and aromas of violet and raspberry. It's in total harmony and has flavours of smokey, mushroom and raspberry with a light/medium body. Smooth texture with a long finish - Not past it's prime, but getting on a bit.
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Enjoyed greatly with friends at our new Greek Restaurant in Silverdale, NSW. Coming off the back of a Yalumba Menzies, this lived up to our expectations of a full bodied, cherry ripe fruitiness that has aged magnificently. Yummy with the blue (very rare) eye fillet steak.
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This has lost some of it's brightest since my last tasting 18 months ago. Didn't get any of the high notes from the viognier. I'd be tempted to drink up.
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Impenetrable purple/black. Rather subdued nose for an SV. Bright, vibrant palate with flavours of currant and blueberry, noticeable acid and fine tannin. Deep, dense and reasonably long, although lacking charm. A bit of a big brute wine, that may tame somewhat if left for another 5-10yrs. A wine of substance, that depending on your tastes, could represent good value.
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One of the great vintages if the last decade, 2004 shows serious depth of fruit, a robust earthiness and a richly textured tannic backbone in this d'Arenberg classic. A touch alcoholic on the nose, but sufficiently jammy and brambly to remain enticing, this splendidly potent Magpie displays fruit, classy minerality and muscular structure in abundance. The finish is surprisingly floral and velvety. The role of Viognier in this Rhône-style blend should not be dismissed: it counteracts the violets and pepperiness of the Shiraz with some faintly delicate notes of peach and almond. Good stuff, but limited application - many will be put off by its unashamedly masculine posturing.
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Incredibly fruity big wine. Jammy chewiness on the palate albeit slightly bitter on the lengthy finish. All said and done another cracker from the d'arenberg vineyard. Love it and happy 4 more to go.
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On the palate concentrated juice, classical, cassis, chocolate and also a touch of sweetness. Beautiful oak. Lush and good complexity. Ready now and the next few years. A great pleasure.
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One of the best wines I have had recently! Very full-bodied, palate coating flavor. I absolutely LOVE the dreamsicle-like finish which comes from the Viognier. Tastes like a $100+ bottle of Guigal Cote-Rotie! Seek this wine out if you can still find it!
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Pow! Should have had this one with dessert! Impressive structure, and it became more bearable as it got air, but this was a big boy and did not benefit by being shown next to some lovely mature Rhones. That said there's a place for wine like this, and a lot of folks I know would have gone ape over it. Fun experiment in cellaring.
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Still very good but perhaps a touch of brett has muted things? This is much more savory and meaty than previous bottles. This still has a nice citrus edge to it but no tasty creamsicles to be found in this bottle.
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I'm trying to like this wine . . . I've had such good bottles in the past. Nose is inviting . . . butter, cloves, a touch of mint. But here's where this wine loses me . . . it's bitter. Have had it open for a couple of hours. Better now than two hours ago, but still . . . bitter. Sigh. If I rate this, it's going to start with an 8 . . . and not get much higher. Salud!
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Still very good but slightly different than previous bottle a week prior. This still has the big Aussie Shiraz nose but flavors are more fruity and juicy than savory. The Viognier still gives a nice "creamsicle" finish to this wine. Good on ya' mate!
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What an interesting wine. This has a big, alcoholic nose (does say Shiraz on the bottle...) but the flavors must be altered by the Viognier. Still big but an interesting creamy/citrus flavor pops up. Of course there's still a savory/bacon/meat element in there as well. This is the type of wine that deserves to be sipped solo so you can focus on it. However, it matched well with a salt/pepper seasoned Filet Mignon.
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I'm glad I waited a few years to consume this fascinating wine. The experience in the glass , its transition, is most compelling. The nose is big and shiraz-like, and you're expecting the typical punch in the taste buds. But the viognier alters the transition and it's a tart and big at the same time. Lengthy finish, intriguing. Lovely on its own or with a steak.
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Have had this in my cellar for about five years. The colour is youthful and very dark, almost blue. Also, thick oily rivulets around the glass as you swirl it. Aromas of plum, fig and chocolate. Very dense and powerful on the tongue. Alcohol perhaps too prominent, but thankfully offset by soft, velvety tannins and a very generous, raisiny, port-like finish. This wine has barely aged; it can likely handle another 10 years without losing any of its intensity. This is the kind of wine you have with huge rib-eye steaks. Assertive and masculine, but very good.
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What a turnaround in the past 2 1/2 years since I last tasted this...now the Viognier veritably dominates the Shiraz, with orange creamsickle and honeysuckle aromas overpowering black olive and dark fruits. Rather dry for the genre, with some suggestion of wood tannin early that doesn't dry out the finish, which remains fairly juicy. Amazingly persistent in aroma and long on the finish.
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Indeed, had this w/ BBQ ribs and it was a wonderful match. Still w/ tons of sediment clogging the Nuance wine finer! I've been sampling this for 4 years now and I still love it!
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Drinking very well. The Magpie is such a one-of-a-kind taste profile. Excellent balance and finish. Good solo sipper and would love to pair this with goopy BBQ ribs.
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Great age on this stuff and after 1+ hours decanted it was singing all the charms of a great balanced shiraz with a different more minerally, but still opulent finish which I guess is supplied by the viognier. Sad to see my last 2 go as I think there are a few more good years left on this vintage.
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Decanted for an hour. Plum, white pepper, floral notes on the nose. Jammy dark berries with a rich oak balance, lush on the palate. Much better than 2 years ago.
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Opaque purple. Nose of plum & smoke. Nicely balanced now w/ soft tannins and then the acidity come thru. A little tart on the palate but a nice finish. I'm likin' it! Throwing off a bit of sediment...clogged the Nuance Finer.
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Tight and expressionless upon opening, but after 1+ hours decanted started to come to life with great Shiraz berry richness with a wonderful spiciness and still some alcohol heat. About 3 hours after decanting, it matured into a huge expression-laden wine with all sorts of fruit on the nose and palate with a wonderful rich oak-influenced finish.
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A great bottle of wine. Opened about an hour before dinner. Poured from the bottle. Dark purple color. Amazing fruit nose. Nice mouth feel and smooth. Flavors of dark fruit, and meaty/chewy.
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Lovely, powerful yet elegant - Black, well concentrated with notes of plum, black fruit, pepper, tar, chocolate and vanilla on the nose, big, yet balanced, nicely structured, silky smooth on the palate with terrific length, well done! (91 Points).
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Getting a wee bit long in the tooth, and as the tannins fade this is beginning to taste a bit sickly and off, with overtones of magpie. Still the daisy-cutter of fruit bombs.
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These did finally come around, and suspect that their best years lie ahead. Dark. Still a bit out of acid/fruit/oak/tannin thing, but nice mellowed fruit, V adds the sweet and nose. Good finish. Never really lived up to it's hype.
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Nose was unremarkable. Thought it was about to be a little too fruit forward for me and then this crisp citrus finish closed out the wine abruptly. Very bizarre. Didn't think I cared for it but kept drinking it to experience the weird palate. Worth trying one bottle.
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nose of dark friut, prune,and slight vegetal and smelled very hot. first taste was high alcohol with slight oak. full smooth body, no tannins, more dark fruit, prune, decent acidty.good sipping wine. The finish is reminding of a rum & coke. I still like it.
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Our last of this vintage. Nice with Beaver's BBQ ribs and pork shoulder. Big, bold, overbearing wine that was just perfect here tonight. Sad to see it go.
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After a couple years in the bottle it seems simple, one-dimensional, an avalanche of fruit destroying everything in its path, including the taste of almost any food, no matter how substantial, it's up against. Still a good bottle of wine, and especially for those who prefer an over-the-top, superripe style.
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Floral nose with some dark fruit. Somewhat hot and quite tannic. Fruit forward with a tannic, flowery, long finish. Excellent mouthfeel. Definitely benefits from decanting to reduce the heat a bit. Overall a nice bottle that is probably too expensive at $25-28.
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upfront fruit, as well as somewhat floral on the nose, a result of the viognier...good mouthfeel and color, however nothing spectacular on the nose or pallet and possessed a somewhat awkward finish. Tasted from a 375ml.
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Lighter taste than color would have indicated. Better food match than on its own. Medium finish. Very nice berries on the palate. One of two choices with dinner and this one paled next to the more full-bodied Meeker Barbarian. The next night, on its own, seemed to have more strength, nice balance, and smooth.
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Popped and poured. We let it breath in the glass for about 30 minutes. Drank this wine in at a party among other drinks. I didn't take notes, but really enjoyed this wine. The group vote was positive.
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Decanted for 2 hours prior to dinner. Nice deep purple color. Upon first taste, it was surprisingly tannic and closed for this kind of wine. It did open up but never revealed the layers of flavor and fruit forward nature that I expected. Structure was quite good and nothing noticably flawed. Overall, very drinkable and enjoyed it from start to finish but not nearly the kind of wow I was expecting and have had with previous vintages.
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Was singing tonight, good expression of the viognier. Sweet apricot on the nose that led to the darker fruits of the syrah. Good medium finish. Well integrated.
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Inky purple red. Classic, expressive South Australian shiraz nose of rich blackberry/blueberry fruit, pepper, vanilla, and just hints of earth and meat; I'm not really noticing the Viognier here. Full of glycerin-imbued richness, this lacks some punch in the midpalate at first, but this deficiency oddly dissipates with air. Not ponderous, this wine has a lovely, definite yet gentle grip to remind you that it ain't no caricature wine, despite the critteresque name.
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Decanted and drank immediately. Strong purple colour, aromatic nose. Noticeable but not obtrusive oak. Concentrated blackberry fruit, hints of orange peel. Firm tannins, would benefit from further bottle age. Evolves and improves with air. Black tea and white pepper finish. An excellent wine, approachable now but should reward cellaring.
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OK some good development. Rounded out nice, lost it's heat. This is good D'Arengurg wine making, dense Auzzie fruit, smoky, bit of V sweetens it without a sugar feel. Nice mouth feel, getting better, headed to a 91 if it keeps developing. Few+ years left.
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Clear, deep dark purple core that leads out to a very thin vibrant rim. Wine looks to be showing a bit of age. The nose is clean and very intense. Coffee bean, dark chocolate, ripe plum, and soft cedar notes. There is a bit of mint and stone as well. Lots going on in here. In the mouth the wine is dry, med plus acid, moderate tannin, condensed dark fruits of blackberry, current and raspberry make up the fruity core of this wine. Big oak/cedar notes, nutmeg and a bit of white pepper wrap it all up. Med + alc. Full bodied with a long plumy oaky finnish. Great quality, will age very gracefuly. Will be best from 2010 - 2015.
After about 3 hours this wine really started to show up!! and the next day was delightful. way more pepper, chocolate and bits of herbaciousness came out. Floral notes aswell. (finaly i could taste the viognier a bit)
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Very nice overall. The Viognier is very noticable both on the nose and the palate. This is a very food friendly wine having it on 2 days. 1st with lamb and beef kabob, and the 2nd with lasagana.
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Had it for the first time yesterday night. Typical expansive Aussie Shiraz with the added sweetness of the Viognier grape. Very huge and boisterous on its own, but with the right food, can be quite a mouthful.. 91 pts for that genre
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I like this a lot less than the '03; this has a similar flavor profile, but it's not as balanced. It's ripe, bold, and fairly tasty, but the alcohol is a bit too much and the oak seems overwrought. The nose shows some heat, spice, and florality. In the mouth, the structure is solid and the finish is okay, but the wine as a whole just seems a little off-center somehow.
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Dark inky purple in appearance. Nice nose of pepper, spices, black fruits and some floral aromatics. Big tannins - softened by the viognier are immediately evident on the palate following through with some jammy black fruits - cassis, blackcurrant and then some spicy pepper and liquorice on the finish. Not too long on the finish but overall a nice wine.
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decanted this time and it made the wine a bit more mellow. If you like your wines BIG, this is for you. If you are more into subtle flavors, then probably not.
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dark purple/black opaque with dark glints, floral nose from Viognier along with deep blackberry/blueberry fruit, cinnamon/vanilla spice and licorice, med- acidity with long stony finish, very good example of big aussie shiraz, price creeping upward. roasts, steak, grilled meats. 2G (Prestige, $20.90)
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Blind tasting. Opened and served right away. Dark red/purple in colour. Explosive nose of cherry and nectarine. 95-point nose. Flavours of plum and cherry. Heat on the short finish.
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This is an good wine and fairly good value IF you like the style. Opened at a superbowl party and it was enjoyed by everyone there (me less than others). It is 100% australian ... big, BIG red, bursting with ripe fruits. Accompanying food is a necessity. For many it was the favorite of the night ... for me it was too forward. Would I buy again? I don't think so, in spite of the value and everyone's enjoyment of it ... perhaps would try the higher end d"arenburg which hopefully has more structure. That said, if you like your wines BIG and forward then give this a go and enjoy (with food).
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This didn't impress very much on day 1, with the wine showing very bright and tart red berry fruit flavors. By day 3, the wine had rounded off and fattened up considerably, making it much more pleasant. Nice, but probably not something I'd purchase again.
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Softened substantially with 3 hour decanting. Sweet and somewhat acidic -- unbalanced for my taste. Others at tasting party liked its fruity, sweet personality. Strong nose. Long finish. Very bold wine.
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More syrupy and sweet than previous offerings. The Shiraz still supplies a nice hint of pepper, but the Viognier comes through with sweetness without as much citrus that was so right in previous years.
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Deep dark color. Spicy nose w/ pepper, pine needles. Fruit there but not overpowering- a bit muted. Wasn't blown away. Had I read the notes here I might have waited a few years.
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Initially rich, astringent nose, dark purple color, good fruit, hints of chocolate, violets, medium to long finish. This has a nice smooth, mellow mouth-feel, and will improve with age.
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Inky purple, lots of floral scents on the nose. On the plate this has lots of blueberry, pepper, and asian spice. Not over the top in my opinion. Still has some tannins and a bit of acidity. A tad bitter on the finish, but that isn't necessarily unpleasant.
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Nice aromatics and initial palate, lots of pepper, but this wine seemed to come apart in the mouth to finish tart and hot, and the abv was not high as I recall. Unbalanced and disapointing, maybe it's just at an awkward pahse, but I'll pass on any more.
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No formal notes were made. I remember this seeming to be a good value with pleasant aromatics and good balance between brightness and richness of flavor.
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Big powerful Aussie shiraz with the viognier making it a bit more aromatic. Not subtle but not as jammy as some I've had (cf Zonte's). Very enjoyable with venison casserole.
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Deep color, light tight nose, fruity floral wisps but light. Nice intial fruit in the mouth, medium flavours are ok but hot, finishing light. Seems to be closing bsed on other reviews. Will cellar for a year or 2 before going deeper ito the six pack. Disappointed this is compared to Coppermine Rd & Ironstone. Sorry not close.
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A good bottle, but perhaps not as good as I expected. Nice floral and berry aromas followed by good fruit on the palate, with an interesting spice note.
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No formal note, This was a nice drinking wine (On it's own). Good fruit, nice balance, decent length. I really like the touch viognier add to the Shiraz.
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The viognier really shows through with citrus fruit overlaying the dark, rich shyrah base, adding an extra dimension to a rich Aussie shiraz. Good stuff., especially when you want a big wine, enjoyable on its own.
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Color is inky dark purple. Nose shows plum, blackberry, flowers, pepper. On the palate, juicy blackberry is quickly met with a steely spine of acidity and big tannins shut this wine down. May settle with some more time in the bottle.
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This is only my second Shriaz/Viognier blend. Much better than the first (which tasted a little to "Kid's Grape Juice" for my tastes). This wine had lots of red fruit on the nose, but with some time, got some dark earth as well. A lot going on here for this novice, but truly enjoyable. I'll let my other bottles sit a year or two and see how/if things change much.
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Deep Garnet w/ purple shadings. Beautiful sweet notes of both strawberry and raspberry jams. I couldn't stop sniffing the aromas which also included a bit of vanilla and cardamon. Very juicy and a tad sweet on the palate but all in all just loverly. Nice finish. While it has cellaring potential, I'm gonna have problems keeping my paws off this stash.
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On the nose, floral notes, blackberry and black cherry. On the palate, medium to full-bodied, with black cherry, raspberry, and black currant, with a medium length finish with some coffee and cherry kicking in. Tannic, and a little too sweet for my palate, but enjoyable.
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Very dark, inky appearance in the glass. Jammy bouquet of currant and other dark fruit (blackberry), along with licorice. Hefty tannins with coffee, cherry (especially in the finish), and spice with a long finish. May improve in a few years, but for now an 88.
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Black purple colour. Nose of sweet cassis and freshly ground black pepper and chocolate. More of the same to on the fleshy palate and fine long finish. This would be the ideal match with spicy Asian food or a tender steak.
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2/2/2018 - RichardZula Likes this wine:
Delicious, intense bouquet, ink dark, resolved tannins, intense dark fruit, mint leaves, what a great wine to age.
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12/29/2017 - Tarpon222 wrote: 89 Points
Not very interesting. Probably should have consumed a few years ago.
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10/15/2017 - NuTricks wrote: 92 Points
My 28th and last bottle and I'm still enamored with this wine. First bottle opened was back on 7/3/06. Still drinking beautifully with plum notes and soft tannins and still throwing off fine sediment.
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6/10/2017 - ricard Likes this wine: 92 Points
This 2004 is ageing gracefully, with top notes of cinnamon and mace, massive muscular power in the middle and a peppery finish. Excellent. Still years of pleasure left in it.
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1/22/2017 - red.red.vino wrote: 91 Points
So it has been 12 months since I gave this wine a small belting. I checked it over the hours as it sat in the decanter and tannin structure moved from puckering to dry to starting to soften and then rounding out. Finish improved in length as time went on. Being a Sunday night 6 hrs in I gave up and started drinking, dont want to be too hungover for Monday at the pickle factory.
Anyway, its appearance does show typical age characteristics but it is still remarkably young for its age and price point. McLaren Vale purple fruit over herbaceous, over time it moved from savoury to slightly lush, Viognier gives it that sparkle of elegance, however it is still quite drying yet strangely enjoyable. Have warmed to this immensely and am a tad annoyed I have only one more left. Truely one of our better steals at the approx RRP $30. Try again mid 2018, more time needed. Almost a 92....
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10/27/2016 - Vino_Rosso wrote: 75 Points
TBA
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7/9/2016 - Antonio55100 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Strangely, still young. Could do with another 3-5 years.
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1/17/2016 - sethboy23 wrote: 92 Points
well integrated. drink now, although had enough body would probably hold its current from for 2-4 years. solid, aged aussie shiraz. cant beat price pt
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1/15/2016 - red.red.vino wrote: 86 Points
Fast coming to the conclusion that bottle variance is almost a typical d'Arenberg trait. I have often stated that I am not one of the d'Arenberg 'ra-ra boys' as I find their wines more often are short finishing like falling off a cliff. This bottle was no exception, dry, fruitless and a disappointing short finish, however past d'Arenberg experience tells me time in the cellar could solve this problem, although nervous about potentially being past its best. Small glimmer of hope after 4 hours in the decanter..... confused.com
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7/9/2015 - Padraig Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good drinking wine with good QPR. There's much more life in this vintage if properly stored. Great wine for a good dinner with friends. Nice fruit, good (not great) color. Nice nose. This isn't a difficult wine which makes it easy to enjoy.
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3/5/2015 - NuTricks wrote: 92 Points
My 24th bottle and I'm still enamored with this wine. First bottle opened was back on 7/3/06. Still drinking beautifully with plum notes and soft tannins and still throwing off fine sediment.
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1/25/2015 - Vino_Rosso Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wonderfully balanced, strength and vigour present. Showing no sign of decay but it can't be far away. Lucky I have 2 left, one next year, and one the year after.
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12/19/2014 - Congestion wrote: 92 Points
- Garnet color and aromas of violet and raspberry. It's in total harmony and has flavours of smokey, mushroom and raspberry with a light/medium body. Smooth texture with a long finish - Not past it's prime, but getting on a bit.
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10/20/2014 - UK Don Likes this wine: 92 Points
Yum - perfectly mature. Kicked off a heavy sediment so decant for sure. Rich and rewarding - and good with venison sausages. Drink up!
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3/19/2014 - Rayden wrote: 91 Points
Enjoyed greatly with friends at our new Greek Restaurant in Silverdale, NSW. Coming off the back of a Yalumba Menzies, this lived up to our expectations of a full bodied, cherry ripe fruitiness that has aged magnificently. Yummy with the blue (very rare) eye fillet steak.
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2/15/2014 - G.M. wrote: 89 Points
This has lost some of it's brightest since my last tasting 18 months ago. Didn't get any of the high notes from the viognier. I'd be tempted to drink up.
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7/24/2013 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
Patina: meat, lavender, red strawberry fruits, complex.
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6/1/2012 - G.M. wrote: 91 Points
Impenetrable purple/black. Rather subdued nose for an SV. Bright, vibrant palate with flavours of currant and blueberry, noticeable acid and fine tannin. Deep, dense and reasonably long, although lacking charm. A bit of a big brute wine, that may tame somewhat if left for another 5-10yrs. A wine of substance, that depending on your tastes, could represent good value.
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5/18/2012 - ricard Likes this wine: 91 Points
One of the great vintages if the last decade, 2004 shows serious depth of fruit, a robust earthiness and a richly textured tannic backbone in this d'Arenberg classic. A touch alcoholic on the nose, but sufficiently jammy and brambly to remain enticing, this splendidly potent Magpie displays fruit, classy minerality and muscular structure in abundance. The finish is surprisingly floral and velvety. The role of Viognier in this Rhône-style blend should not be dismissed: it counteracts the violets and pepperiness of the Shiraz with some faintly delicate notes of peach and almond. Good stuff, but limited application - many will be put off by its unashamedly masculine posturing.
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5/4/2012 - Digbeth Likes this wine: 93 Points
Incredibly fruity big wine. Jammy chewiness on the palate albeit slightly bitter on the lengthy finish. All said and done another cracker from the d'arenberg vineyard. Love it and happy 4 more to go.
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4/21/2012 - RichardZula wrote:
Very good, cellaring really benfitted this wine.
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4/21/2012 - jwhisler wrote: 91 Points
A wonderful, full-bodied Australian treat. Drank it with Chicken Marsala for dinner and the wine really comlimented the food.
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4/14/2012 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
On the palate concentrated juice, classical, cassis, chocolate and also a touch of sweetness. Beautiful oak. Lush and good complexity. Ready now and the next few years. A great pleasure.
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1/12/2012 - sakemakibug wrote: 90 Points
fruit bomb
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10/27/2011 - jleonard711 Likes this wine: 94 Points
One of the best wines I have had recently! Very full-bodied, palate coating flavor. I absolutely LOVE the dreamsicle-like finish which comes from the Viognier. Tastes like a $100+ bottle of Guigal Cote-Rotie! Seek this wine out if you can still find it!
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10/26/2011 - hazenyc Likes this wine: 91 Points
Delicious, full-bodied, a little jammy in a pleasant way. Hints of smoke & spice permeate plum and blackberries.
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3/23/2011 - Timberghost wrote:
Drank with Ann and Lance in Fayatteville!
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3/19/2011 - thirtyoneknots wrote:
Pow! Should have had this one with dessert! Impressive structure, and it became more bearable as it got air, but this was a big boy and did not benefit by being shown next to some lovely mature Rhones. That said there's a place for wine like this, and a lot of folks I know would have gone ape over it. Fun experiment in cellaring.
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1/29/2011 - Racer117 wrote: 88 Points
Still very good but perhaps a touch of brett has muted things? This is much more savory and meaty than previous bottles. This still has a nice citrus edge to it but no tasty creamsicles to be found in this bottle.
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11/20/2010 - armchairsommelier wrote:
I'm trying to like this wine . . . I've had such good bottles in the past. Nose is inviting . . . butter, cloves, a touch of mint. But here's where this wine loses me . . . it's bitter. Have had it open for a couple of hours. Better now than two hours ago, but still . . . bitter. Sigh. If I rate this, it's going to start with an 8 . . . and not get much higher. Salud!
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10/9/2010 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Regular dinner group (@ PvD Viognier worldwide and reds from the Southern Hemisphere): Expressive bouquet. A lot of herbs and spices. On the palate black berries and other ripe forest fruits. Good concentration. Good tannin which still have a bite. Good juice and bitterness. Also elegance. Really a nice wine. Ready now, but no hurry.
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10/7/2010 - Racer117 wrote: 91 Points
Still very good but slightly different than previous bottle a week prior. This still has the big Aussie Shiraz nose but flavors are more fruity and juicy than savory. The Viognier still gives a nice "creamsicle" finish to this wine. Good on ya' mate!
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10/1/2010 - Racer117 wrote: 91 Points
What an interesting wine. This has a big, alcoholic nose (does say Shiraz on the bottle...) but the flavors must be altered by the Viognier. Still big but an interesting creamy/citrus flavor pops up. Of course there's still a savory/bacon/meat element in there as well. This is the type of wine that deserves to be sipped solo so you can focus on it. However, it matched well with a salt/pepper seasoned Filet Mignon.
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9/4/2010 - Battleship wrote: 92 Points
Read jeffal66's review below. I couldn't describe my last bottle better. These have all been so great - I wish I had more.
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8/23/2010 - jeffal66 wrote: 92 Points
I'm glad I waited a few years to consume this fascinating wine. The experience in the glass , its transition, is most compelling. The nose is big and shiraz-like, and you're expecting the typical punch in the taste buds. But the viognier alters the transition and it's a tart and big at the same time. Lengthy finish, intriguing. Lovely on its own or with a steak.
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8/21/2010 - ricard Likes this wine: 93 Points
Have had this in my cellar for about five years. The colour is youthful and very dark, almost blue. Also, thick oily rivulets around the glass as you swirl it. Aromas of plum, fig and chocolate. Very dense and powerful on the tongue. Alcohol perhaps too prominent, but thankfully offset by soft, velvety tannins and a very generous, raisiny, port-like finish. This wine has barely aged; it can likely handle another 10 years without losing any of its intensity. This is the kind of wine you have with huge rib-eye steaks. Assertive and masculine, but very good.
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7/15/2010 - tcfishler wrote:
What a turnaround in the past 2 1/2 years since I last tasted this...now the Viognier veritably dominates the Shiraz, with orange creamsickle and honeysuckle aromas overpowering black olive and dark fruits. Rather dry for the genre, with some suggestion of wood tannin early that doesn't dry out the finish, which remains fairly juicy. Amazingly persistent in aroma and long on the finish.
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6/30/2010 - NuTricks wrote: 91 Points
Indeed, had this w/ BBQ ribs and it was a wonderful match. Still w/ tons of sediment clogging the Nuance wine finer! I've been sampling this for 4 years now and I still love it!
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6/26/2010 - phlegls wrote: 92 Points
Wow - what a surprise after my last taste - Have one left and won't wait too long as I think its at it's peak
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4/22/2010 - jeffal66 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking very well. The Magpie is such a one-of-a-kind taste profile. Excellent balance and finish. Good solo sipper and would love to pair this with goopy BBQ ribs.
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4/11/2010 - GuBe wrote: 91 Points
Mjúkt og gott. Væri gott með góðri steik.
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12/1/2009 - honest bob wrote: 92 Points
Gorgeous wine. 92P
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11/24/2009 - clembos wrote: 93 Points
A wine that makes you come back for more. Plum, sour cherry, white pepper, clove, cinamon, muscat.
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10/11/2009 - Battleship wrote: 93 Points
See review below.
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10/11/2009 - Battleship wrote: 93 Points
Great age on this stuff and after 1+ hours decanted it was singing all the charms of a great balanced shiraz with a different more minerally, but still opulent finish which I guess is supplied by the viognier. Sad to see my last 2 go as I think there are a few more good years left on this vintage.
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10/1/2009 - honest bob wrote: 92 Points
As ever a terrific value. Full round rich Aussie Shiraz aroma and taste, with forward acidity and excellent balanced fruit. 92P
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8/17/2009 - Delund wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for an hour. Plum, white pepper, floral notes on the nose. Jammy dark berries with a rich oak balance, lush on the palate. Much better than 2 years ago.
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7/31/2009 - NuTricks wrote: 92 Points
Opaque purple. Nose of plum & smoke. Nicely balanced now w/ soft tannins and then the acidity come thru. A little tart on the palate but a nice finish. I'm likin' it! Throwing off a bit of sediment...clogged the Nuance Finer.
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6/19/2009 - Luis Carlos wrote: 90 Points
Recommended to pour into decanter half an hour prior to consumption
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6/16/2009 - papazee wrote:
+++acetone initially rapidly opened up with heravy fruit nose, nicely balanced
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5/27/2009 - Battleship wrote: 93 Points
Tight and expressionless upon opening, but after 1+ hours decanted started to come to life with great Shiraz berry richness with a wonderful spiciness and still some alcohol heat. About 3 hours after decanting, it matured into a huge expression-laden wine with all sorts of fruit on the nose and palate with a wonderful rich oak-influenced finish.
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4/26/2009 - schnittle wrote: 90 Points
A great bottle of wine. Opened about an hour before dinner. Poured from the bottle. Dark purple color. Amazing fruit nose. Nice mouth feel and smooth. Flavors of dark fruit, and meaty/chewy.
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4/7/2009 - Tarrant wrote: 91 Points
Lovely, powerful yet elegant - Black, well concentrated with notes of plum, black fruit, pepper, tar, chocolate and vanilla on the nose, big, yet balanced, nicely structured, silky smooth on the palate with terrific length, well done! (91 Points).
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4/2/2009 - Niagara wrote: 83 Points
Getting a wee bit long in the tooth, and as the tannins fade this is beginning to taste a bit sickly and off, with overtones of magpie. Still the daisy-cutter of fruit bombs.
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1/16/2009 - tplskylrk wrote: 89 Points
These did finally come around, and suspect that their best years lie ahead. Dark. Still a bit out of acid/fruit/oak/tannin thing, but nice mellowed fruit, V adds the sweet and nose. Good finish. Never really lived up to it's hype.
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8/10/2008 - dwkamin wrote: 84 Points
Nose was unremarkable. Thought it was about to be a little too fruit forward for me and then this crisp citrus finish closed out the wine abruptly. Very bizarre. Didn't think I cared for it but kept drinking it to experience the weird palate. Worth trying one bottle.
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7/18/2008 - J2K wrote: 90 Points
nose of dark friut, prune,and slight vegetal and smelled very hot. first taste was high alcohol with slight oak. full smooth body, no tannins, more dark fruit, prune, decent acidty.good sipping wine. The finish is reminding of a rum & coke. I still like it.
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6/8/2008 - ancient one wrote: 89 Points
good fruit. pleasant, balanced wine. no WOW factor.
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6/6/2008 - GuBe wrote: 91 Points
Umhellt í klukkutíma. Kirsuber, vottur af anis. Allmikil tannín. Langt eftirbragð. Geyma 2-5 ár.
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5/31/2008 - bundydavis wrote: 84 Points
Very flat. Had this with four others and we all poured out our glasses
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5/13/2008 - Danny Joe wrote: 88 Points
Our last of this vintage. Nice with Beaver's BBQ ribs and pork shoulder. Big, bold, overbearing wine that was just perfect here tonight. Sad to see it go.
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5/9/2008 - Niagara wrote: 86 Points
After a couple years in the bottle it seems simple, one-dimensional, an avalanche of fruit destroying everything in its path, including the taste of almost any food, no matter how substantial, it's up against. Still a good bottle of wine, and especially for those who prefer an over-the-top, superripe style.
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4/22/2008 - NuTricks wrote: 91 Points
Still has a great nose and life in it!
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3/5/2008 - nick&nora wrote:
Pretty big. Cherry and plum/prune off the bat on the nose, along with some dried apricot. Enjoyed un-decatned with mushroom risotto. Very nice.
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2/12/2008 - thetong wrote: 90 Points
Floral nose with some dark fruit. Somewhat hot and quite tannic. Fruit forward with a tannic, flowery, long finish. Excellent mouthfeel. Definitely benefits from decanting to reduce the heat a bit. Overall a nice bottle that is probably too expensive at $25-28.
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1/3/2008 - chrisfacchina wrote: 88 Points
upfront fruit, as well as somewhat floral on the nose, a result of the viognier...good mouthfeel and color, however nothing spectacular on the nose or pallet and possessed a somewhat awkward finish. Tasted from a 375ml.
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12/31/2007 - drphil wrote: 88 Points
Lighter taste than color would have indicated. Better food match than on its own. Medium finish. Very nice berries on the palate. One of two choices with dinner and this one paled next to the more full-bodied Meeker Barbarian. The next night, on its own, seemed to have more strength, nice balance, and smooth.
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12/24/2007 - Kale wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. We let it breath in the glass for about 30 minutes. Drank this wine in at a party among other drinks. I didn't take notes, but really enjoyed this wine. The group vote was positive.
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12/23/2007 - godx wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured. Nose of mild berries and floral notes. Dark fruit on the palate. Mild acidity on medium length finish. Enjoyable and easy drinking.
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12/3/2007 - koflaher wrote: 88 Points
Decanted for 2 hours prior to dinner. Nice deep purple color. Upon first taste, it was surprisingly tannic and closed for this kind of wine. It did open up but never revealed the layers of flavor and fruit forward nature that I expected. Structure was quite good and nothing noticably flawed. Overall, very drinkable and enjoyed it from start to finish but not nearly the kind of wow I was expecting and have had with previous vintages.
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11/20/2007 - oski wrote: 91 Points
Was singing tonight, good expression of the viognier. Sweet apricot on the nose that led to the darker fruits of the syrah. Good medium finish. Well integrated.
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10/8/2007 - tcfishler wrote: 89 Points
Inky purple red. Classic, expressive South Australian shiraz nose of rich blackberry/blueberry fruit, pepper, vanilla, and just hints of earth and meat; I'm not really noticing the Viognier here. Full of glycerin-imbued richness, this lacks some punch in the midpalate at first, but this deficiency oddly dissipates with air. Not ponderous, this wine has a lovely, definite yet gentle grip to remind you that it ain't no caricature wine, despite the critteresque name.
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9/17/2007 - DTWOB wrote: 88 Points
Very smooth for such a bold, dark color. Guess it could use a little more structure and complexity, but overall a very nice bootle of wine!
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9/15/2007 - shugmo wrote:
Decanted and drank immediately. Strong purple colour, aromatic nose. Noticeable but not obtrusive oak. Concentrated blackberry fruit, hints of orange peel. Firm tannins, would benefit from further bottle age. Evolves and improves with air. Black tea and white pepper finish. An excellent wine, approachable now but should reward cellaring.
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8/10/2007 - tplskylrk wrote: 89 Points
OK some good development. Rounded out nice, lost it's heat. This is good D'Arengurg wine making, dense Auzzie fruit, smoky, bit of V sweetens it without a sugar feel. Nice mouth feel, getting better, headed to a 91 if it keeps developing. Few+ years left.
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7/10/2007 - dre wrote:
Clear, deep dark purple core that leads out to a very thin vibrant rim. Wine looks to be showing a bit of age. The nose is clean and very intense. Coffee bean, dark chocolate, ripe plum, and soft cedar notes. There is a bit of mint and stone as well. Lots going on in here. In the mouth the wine is dry, med plus acid, moderate tannin, condensed dark fruits of blackberry, current and raspberry make up the fruity core of this wine. Big oak/cedar notes, nutmeg and a bit of white pepper wrap it all up. Med + alc. Full bodied with a long plumy oaky finnish. Great quality, will age very gracefuly. Will be best from 2010 - 2015.
After about 3 hours this wine really started to show up!! and the next day was delightful. way more pepper, chocolate and bits of herbaciousness came out. Floral notes aswell. (finaly i could taste the viognier a bit)
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7/3/2007 - epml wrote: 89 Points
Very nice overall. The Viognier is very noticable both on the nose and the palate. This is a very food friendly wine having it on 2 days. 1st with lamb and beef kabob, and the 2nd with lasagana.
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6/22/2007 - SLap wrote:
Had it for the first time yesterday night. Typical expansive Aussie Shiraz with the added sweetness of the Viognier grape.
Very huge and boisterous on its own, but with the right food, can be quite a mouthful.. 91 pts for that genre
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6/17/2007 - RomanKJ wrote: 88 Points
exact as my last note
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4/28/2007 - jjoster wrote: 92 Points
Huge lucious wine. Mountains of flavor. Fabulous. After reading my notes, this was nothing like the last bottle.
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4/16/2007 - Stephan O wrote: 88 Points
I like this a lot less than the '03; this has a similar flavor profile, but it's not as balanced. It's ripe, bold, and fairly tasty, but the alcohol is a bit too much and the oak seems overwrought. The nose shows some heat, spice, and florality. In the mouth, the structure is solid and the finish is okay, but the wine as a whole just seems a little off-center somehow.
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4/14/2007 - SadEdjo wrote:
rich floral licorice
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3/18/2007 - NuTricks wrote: 93 Points
Still as yummy as my 7/3/06 note.
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3/16/2007 - Squeeze wrote: 89 Points
Full bodied and fruity but not particularly complex; I guess I was expecting something closer to d'Arenberg's Dead Arm.
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3/3/2007 - CAS wrote: 90 Points
Dark inky purple in appearance. Nice nose of pepper, spices, black fruits and some floral aromatics. Big tannins - softened by the viognier are immediately evident on the palate following through with some jammy black fruits - cassis, blackcurrant and then some spicy pepper and liquorice on the finish. Not too long on the finish but overall a nice wine.
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2/18/2007 - agbailey wrote:
decanted this time and it made the wine a bit more mellow. If you like your wines BIG, this is for you. If you are more into subtle flavors, then probably not.
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2/16/2007 - AlpharettaWine wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful!
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2/15/2007 - Barberolo wrote:
dark purple/black opaque with dark glints, floral nose from Viognier along with deep blackberry/blueberry fruit, cinnamon/vanilla spice and licorice, med- acidity with long stony finish, very good example of big aussie shiraz, price creeping upward. roasts, steak, grilled meats. 2G (Prestige, $20.90)
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2/10/2007 - godx wrote: 89 Points
Blind tasting. Opened and served right away. Dark red/purple in colour. Explosive nose of cherry and nectarine. 95-point nose. Flavours of plum and cherry. Heat on the short finish.
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2/9/2007 - agbailey wrote:
This is an good wine and fairly good value IF you like the style. Opened at a superbowl party and it was enjoyed by everyone there (me less than others). It is 100% australian ... big, BIG red, bursting with ripe fruits. Accompanying food is a necessity. For many it was the favorite of the night ... for me it was too forward. Would I buy again? I don't think so, in spite of the value and everyone's enjoyment of it ... perhaps would try the higher end d"arenburg which hopefully has more structure. That said, if you like your wines BIG and forward then give this a go and enjoy (with food).
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1/29/2007 - jjoster wrote: 90 Points
Great nose. Very rich. Sour in a good way. Not hugely fruity, but lucious and balanced. Enjoyed this very much. Drink with food.
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1/25/2007 - 6831 wrote: 88 Points
This didn't impress very much on day 1, with the wine showing very bright and tart red berry fruit flavors. By day 3, the wine had rounded off and fattened up considerably, making it much more pleasant. Nice, but probably not something I'd purchase again.
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1/3/2007 - jkao wrote:
Interesting fruity taste, a little to oaky for me
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1/1/2007 - iamandyc wrote: 84 Points
Softened substantially with 3 hour decanting. Sweet and somewhat acidic -- unbalanced for my taste. Others at tasting party liked its fruity, sweet personality. Strong nose. Long finish. Very bold wine.
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12/27/2006 - chaseh wrote: 87 Points
More syrupy and sweet than previous offerings. The Shiraz still supplies a nice hint of pepper, but the Viognier comes through with sweetness without as much citrus that was so right in previous years.
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12/21/2006 - bganderson wrote: 88 Points
Solid wine, but I didn't think it lived up to the hype.
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12/16/2006 - RomanKJ wrote: 87 Points
Deep dark color. Spicy nose w/ pepper, pine needles. Fruit there but not overpowering- a bit muted. Wasn't blown away. Had I read the notes here I might have waited a few years.
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12/13/2006 - abkennedy wrote: 89 Points
Initially rich, astringent nose, dark purple color, good fruit, hints of chocolate, violets, medium to long finish. This has a nice smooth, mellow mouth-feel, and will improve with age.
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12/7/2006 - Old_Winyards wrote: 91 Points
Inky purple, lots of floral scents on the nose. On the plate this has lots of blueberry, pepper, and asian spice. Not over the top in my opinion. Still has some tannins and a bit of acidity. A tad bitter on the finish, but that isn't necessarily unpleasant.
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11/30/2006 - elpenor wrote:
Nice aromatics and initial palate, lots of pepper, but this wine seemed to come apart in the mouth to finish tart and hot, and the abv was not high as I recall. Unbalanced and disapointing, maybe it's just at an awkward pahse, but I'll pass on any more.
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11/16/2006 - jimyboy wrote: 91 Points
Its all been said and I agree, excellent wine!
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11/12/2006 - win wrote: 87 Points
Solid Australian Shiraz.
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11/7/2006 - zheem wrote:
No formal notes were made. I remember this seeming to be a good value with pleasant aromatics and good balance between brightness and richness of flavor.
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11/1/2006 - bmaas wrote: 89 Points
I must admit I had very high expectations of this wine (with all the Gold metals and all) and was not disapointed.
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10/29/2006 - GavinP wrote: 88 Points
Big powerful Aussie shiraz with the viognier making it a bit more aromatic. Not subtle but not as jammy as some I've had (cf Zonte's). Very enjoyable with venison casserole.
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10/27/2006 - tplskylrk wrote: 85 Points
Deep color, light tight nose, fruity floral wisps but light. Nice intial fruit in the mouth, medium flavours are ok but hot, finishing light.
Seems to be closing bsed on other reviews. Will cellar for a year or 2 before going deeper ito the six pack.
Disappointed this is compared to Coppermine Rd & Ironstone. Sorry not close.
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10/22/2006 - aprice wrote: 90 Points
Very fresh, a hint of grapefruit, very smooth w/ good acidity.
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10/21/2006 - delaneyj wrote: 91 Points
Lovely wine. Dark inky colour. Very fragrant. Crushed violets and cherry. Good length. Much better than the last bottle.
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10/21/2006 - 2thdoc wrote: 91 Points
Nice wine
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10/12/2006 - GoldenTbne wrote: 88 Points
A good bottle, but perhaps not as good as I expected. Nice floral and berry aromas followed by good fruit on the palate, with an interesting spice note.
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10/9/2006 - vinaigre wrote: 90 Points
No formal note,
This was a nice drinking wine (On it's own). Good fruit, nice balance, decent length. I really like the touch viognier add to the Shiraz.
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10/5/2006 - pepper wrote: 91 Points
The viognier really shows through with citrus fruit overlaying the dark, rich shyrah base, adding an extra dimension to a rich Aussie shiraz. Good stuff., especially when you want a big wine, enjoyable on its own.
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9/22/2006 - RichardZula wrote:
Delicious, different than what I’ve had before; intense sweet fruit; deep flavors, bits of mint and more; can’t wait to try again.
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8/27/2006 - Danny Joe wrote: 88 Points
Big bold wine. Very spciy - particularly black peppers and asian spices. Black, black fruits. Black color. My wife liked it more than I did.
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8/13/2006 - walkers wrote: 90 Points
cassis and black pepper. lovely full bodied red, fruit forwad, but nicely balanced with some tannin.
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8/12/2006 - Thilo wrote: 87 Points
Color is inky dark purple. Nose shows plum, blackberry, flowers, pepper. On the palate, juicy blackberry is quickly met with a steely spine of acidity and big tannins shut this wine down. May settle with some more time in the bottle.
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7/15/2006 - Zingrrl wrote: 88 Points
Very fruit forward and a little too sweet for us.
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7/10/2006 - Lukeout wrote:
This is only my second Shriaz/Viognier blend. Much better than the first (which tasted a little to "Kid's Grape Juice" for my tastes). This wine had lots of red fruit on the nose, but with some time, got some dark earth as well. A lot going on here for this novice, but truly enjoyable. I'll let my other bottles sit a year or two and see how/if things change much.
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7/3/2006 - NuTricks wrote: 93 Points
Deep Garnet w/ purple shadings. Beautiful sweet notes of both strawberry and raspberry jams. I couldn't stop sniffing the aromas which also included a bit of vanilla and cardamon. Very juicy and a tad sweet on the palate but all in all just loverly. Nice finish. While it has cellaring potential, I'm gonna have problems keeping my paws off this stash.
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6/28/2006 - SacredCow wrote: 88 Points
On the nose, floral notes, blackberry and black cherry. On the palate, medium to full-bodied, with black cherry, raspberry, and black currant, with a medium length finish with some coffee and cherry kicking in. Tannic, and a little too sweet for my palate, but enjoyable.
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6/16/2006 - good old ludwig van wrote: 88 Points
Very dark, inky appearance in the glass. Jammy bouquet of currant and other dark fruit (blackberry), along with licorice. Hefty tannins with coffee, cherry (especially in the finish), and spice with a long finish. May improve in a few years, but for now an 88.
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1/30/2006 - mimik wrote: 92 Points
Black purple colour. Nose of sweet cassis and freshly ground black pepper and chocolate. More of the same to on the fleshy palate and fine long finish. This would be the ideal match with spicy Asian food or a tender steak.
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10/4/2005 - Double-A Likes this wine: 93 Points
Inky purple colour. Aromatic, sage, mint, clover, juicy blackberry, and pepper nose. Med-full bodied, fresh and assertive palate; long, smoky finish.
4.5/5
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