So good with Lamb loin chops. Ridiculously deep even almost 17 years young. I warned my girlfriend that she's going to want to pound this down. I was right. It was irresistable. Super tasty at this stage in life. Really dig this wine. Well done for the style.
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Wow. Had it for dinner at my brothers house. Lots of blackberries, fruit, vanilla, some smoke and heat from the alcohol. Very balanced. Long taste. After the initial flavors disappear it kicks into 4th gear With new strong flavors. Very nice interesting and enjoyable.
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Nose of blackberry cordial, raspberry, and spices (violet, lavender, clove, cumin). Smooth mouthfeel, with some acid but no tannin, and a sweet, ultra-concentrated flavour of Ribena and Chambord. An oak/vanilla note is somewhere behind the wall of fruit. Not bad (as long as it's decanted a few hours in advance), but it's really too concentrated to be opened any time this decade.
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This is actually very tasty; Forward in the Australian style but with an unusual balance that makes it enjoyable; Nice nose; I keep going back to the bottle
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Colour is still dark and intense. Nose is surprisingly fruit dominant. Black cherry and chocolate which carries nicely onto the palate. Tannins are completely gone rendering the mouthful very smooth and giving the wine a very delicate and refined character. Despite the lack of tannins, this wine will clearly develop further with some more cellaring. Very enjoyable.
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Had it against Cos D'Estornel 2008, Bran Caia Il Blu 2005 an the Aussie was best. Peppery long notes, full bodied, limited fruits andvery elegant. Fantastic wine.
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Dark purple, starting to show age. Nose still black current, starting to show savoury notes. Lovely wine demonstrating benefits of ageing Oz. fruits not as overwhelming as once were. More balanced, attractive lovely and many more years left if I had any more.
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Notes from day 2. Dark purple color. Nose of blackberry liqour, dark cherry, a little smoke and menthol. On the palate there is palate coating fruit with chambourd, plum, a little mocha and cocoa powder/tannin on the tail end. The finish is above average and fruit foward style, not for the rhone or subtle crowd. This really tip toes the line of being too over the top, but stays within in the lines for my palate and no noticeable heat. Hold or drink. 50+5+12+18+7
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Drank with friends who brought a bottle of 2001 D'Arenberg Dead Arm shiraz. Both had been opened for 6 hours, although we didn't have equipment to decant either to hand. The two were very different - the McRae Wood was sweet (almost too sweet?) and vanillary (is that a word?) and seemed fully evolved. It was very smooth and carried its high alcohol level well. The Dead Arm was somehow rougher round the edges, more tannin (so will probably continue to improve for a while yet) and showed it's (slightly lower) alcohol with a degree of hotness. Both finishes were long, probably with the Dead Arm slightly winning. I would rate the Dead Arm 93. Must try to source some more McRae Wood!
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Black, black and again black...!!! At the beginning a very mute nose. Needs aeration for at least 3 or 4 hours. Very nice and concentrated aromas of black fruits, kirsh, creme de cassis, chocolate, mocca, violet, on a smoky background. On the palate is a solid, fleshy, thick, full-bodied and well balanced wine, with round tannins. Layers of black chocolate, blueberries, plums, cherries, clove, cinnamon, black and green pepper in a tarry core. Very long and tastefull finish. A blockbuster, with an aging potential for at least a decade. Excellent!
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Decanted 1 hr. I knew that this baby was going to be way too young when I opened her up, however, with a the hype surrounding the wine (and the fact that I had 7 more) I couldn't resist. The colour was an inky, purple almost ultra violet like. My first attemp to try the wine was upon openeing to ensure it was fit to consume. My first thought was "OOPS! Why have I done this......"
An hour later I found that there was so much going on with this wine that I couldn't describe it but knew I had to savor a glass for the next day to see how it may progress with some time in the cellar. I wasn't disappointed, so much friut concentration and nice oak integration I got plenty of blueberries on the palate. There was also no evidence of the 15.5% alcohol.
Overall, I think this is brilliant value if you can still pick some up. I'm interested to see how the '02 stacks up and will be sure to get some of the '04 when released. 93 now but much more later....
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Deep and inky color...NO Armagh produced in 03, all of it went into McRae Wood...downright sexy nose, intense, smoky, gorgeous purity of fruit and hints of sweet wood...full-bodied, rich, viscous, spicy, sh*tloads going on here - needs a few for the wood to integrate, but this will last for some time. Nothing overheated or extra extracted about this. Great wine, and tremendous QPR @ less than $40.
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2/7/2020 - TXRhoneRanger wrote: 94 Points
So good with Lamb loin chops. Ridiculously deep even almost 17 years young. I warned my girlfriend that she's going to want to pound this down. I was right. It was irresistable. Super tasty at this stage in life. Really dig this wine. Well done for the style.
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12/21/2013 - jens.thogersen Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow. Had it for dinner at my brothers house.
Lots of blackberries, fruit, vanilla, some smoke and heat from the alcohol.
Very balanced. Long taste. After the initial flavors disappear it kicks into 4th gear With new strong flavors. Very nice interesting and enjoyable.
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11/16/2013 - lkatz Likes this wine: 90 Points
nice fruit and smooth tannins make this a great drinker...disappointed that the cork broke on extraction; always had been on its side
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8/4/2013 - Drinking Trees wrote: 85 Points
Nose of blackberry cordial, raspberry, and spices (violet, lavender, clove, cumin). Smooth mouthfeel, with some acid but no tannin, and a sweet, ultra-concentrated flavour of Ribena and Chambord. An oak/vanilla note is somewhere behind the wall of fruit. Not bad (as long as it's decanted a few hours in advance), but it's really too concentrated to be opened any time this decade.
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1/15/2013 - EMichels wrote: 91 Points
This is actually very tasty; Forward in the Australian style but with an unusual balance that makes it enjoyable; Nice nose; I keep going back to the bottle
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10/27/2012 - adillon wrote: 92 Points
Colour is still dark and intense. Nose is surprisingly fruit dominant. Black cherry and chocolate which carries nicely onto the palate. Tannins are completely gone rendering the mouthful very smooth and giving the wine a very delicate and refined character. Despite the lack of tannins, this wine will clearly develop further with some more cellaring. Very enjoyable.
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6/28/2012 - quickben wrote: 88 Points
Mmm loads of fruit and really smooth tannins - very (too?) drinkable
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5/16/2012 - Anders C J wrote: 93 Points
Had it against Cos D'Estornel 2008, Bran Caia Il Blu 2005 an the Aussie was best. Peppery long notes, full bodied, limited fruits andvery elegant. Fantastic wine.
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5/6/2012 - theqspeaks wrote: 92 Points
Very dark in color. Great fruit flavors but balanced by nice tannins and structure. Maybe could have decanted a while longer.
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2/14/2012 - Alexroy wrote: 93 Points
Dark purple, starting to show age. Nose still black current, starting to show savoury notes. Lovely wine demonstrating benefits of ageing Oz. fruits not as overwhelming as once were. More balanced, attractive lovely and many more years left if I had any more.
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10/2/2011 - lkatz wrote: 90 Points
quite nice with a steak...still have some to finish
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12/25/2009 - tonsta wrote: 94 Points
Great wine with an even greater future. Still very primary and just TOO young at the moment.
Have to resist touching the next one for 2-3 years!
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10/17/2009 - plow68 wrote: 90 Points
Fantastic Shiraz. Allow one hour to open up before drinking. Will also last several more years.
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8/31/2009 - manonthemoon wrote: 92 Points
Notes from day 2. Dark purple color. Nose of blackberry liqour, dark cherry, a little smoke and menthol. On the palate there is palate coating fruit with chambourd, plum, a little mocha and cocoa powder/tannin on the tail end. The finish is above average and fruit foward style, not for the rhone or subtle crowd. This really tip toes the line of being too over the top, but stays within in the lines for my palate and no noticeable heat. Hold or drink. 50+5+12+18+7
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2/21/2009 - rich01 wrote: 92 Points
This is very good. big and bold but smooth. Nice big fruit.
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12/27/2008 - pea wrote: 92 Points
Overwhelmingly powerful. Tons of sweet black fruit and firm tannins to match.
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9/1/2008 - rockguit wrote: 94 Points
Outstanding bottle--mouth-coating, supple black fruit with hints of chocolate, cedar, spice and smoke. Consistently delicious.
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10/28/2007 - Bromie wrote: 92 Points
Drank with friends who brought a bottle of 2001 D'Arenberg Dead Arm shiraz. Both had been opened for 6 hours, although we didn't have equipment to decant either to hand. The two were very different - the McRae Wood was sweet (almost too sweet?) and vanillary (is that a word?) and seemed fully evolved. It was very smooth and carried its high alcohol level well. The Dead Arm was somehow rougher round the edges, more tannin (so will probably continue to improve for a while yet) and showed it's (slightly lower) alcohol with a degree of hotness. Both finishes were long, probably with the Dead Arm slightly winning. I would rate the Dead Arm 93. Must try to source some more McRae Wood!
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9/18/2007 - balassis wrote: 93 Points
Black, black and again black...!!!
At the beginning a very mute nose.
Needs aeration for at least 3 or 4 hours.
Very nice and concentrated aromas of black fruits, kirsh, creme de cassis, chocolate, mocca, violet, on a smoky background.
On the palate is a solid, fleshy, thick, full-bodied and well balanced wine, with round tannins.
Layers of black chocolate, blueberries, plums, cherries, clove, cinnamon, black and green pepper in a tarry core.
Very long and tastefull finish.
A blockbuster, with an aging potential for at least a decade.
Excellent!
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9/10/2007 - tonsta wrote: 94 Points
This just keeps getting better, glad I have another 6!
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1/14/2007 - tonsta wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 1 hr. I knew that this baby was going to be way too young when I opened her up, however, with a the hype surrounding the wine (and the fact that I had 7 more) I couldn't resist. The colour was an inky, purple almost ultra violet like. My first attemp to try the wine was upon openeing to ensure it was fit to consume. My first thought was "OOPS! Why have I done this......"
An hour later I found that there was so much going on with this wine that I couldn't describe it but knew I had to savor a glass for the next day to see how it may progress with some time in the cellar. I wasn't disappointed, so much friut concentration and nice oak integration I got plenty of blueberries on the palate. There was also no evidence of the 15.5% alcohol.
Overall, I think this is brilliant value if you can still pick some up. I'm interested to see how the '02 stacks up and will be sure to get some of the '04 when released. 93 now but much more later....
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8/18/2006 - CO CHRIS wrote: 93 Points
Deep and inky color...NO Armagh produced in 03, all of it went into McRae Wood...downright sexy nose, intense, smoky, gorgeous purity of fruit and hints of sweet wood...full-bodied, rich, viscous, spicy, sh*tloads going on here - needs a few for the wood to integrate, but this will last for some time. Nothing overheated or extra extracted about this. Great wine, and tremendous QPR @ less than $40.
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7/14/2006 - CamWheeler wrote: 90 Points
Blackcurrant and a smidge of earth on the nose. Good fruit depth as well as structure on the palate. Very good and has potential.
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6/24/2006 - chatters wrote:
Sydney good food and wine show (Sydney Exhibition Centre): Good, but young, for me
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