Ruby with brick highlights. Some vegetal notes out front followed by sour cherry aromas. Bitter on the palate entry then shows off its oak before the tangy, red berry fruit.
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Decanted and consumed slowly. This is a decent but unremarkable wine.
Undetectable tannins but enough general structure, this wine is likely to be drinking near its peak now and for another couple of years.
Unmistakably Penfolds and the 6 years since the vintage have improved its proposition immeasurably.
It's a fruit forward wine but mostly characterised as single dimensioned.
Is it a buy again? Probably not with better options in the sub $20 tier of the market (such as St Hallet Faith Shiraz, Duck Duck Goose Shiraz and Margan Shiraz) but it's drinkable after some time in the cellar.
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Aerated into a decanter. Presents as a brilliant ruby with an inky core and a bit of fine sediment in the last 5-10 mL. After pouring the nose is just hulking, massive, intense, and barely tolerable. Just that strong. After a few minutes (15+) it settles down and smells of smoked meat and rich earth. It's fairly straightforward, but very pleasant. It matches for the most part on the palate from the attack through the short finish. The structure is what makes this mouth-filling and especially "big." Medium(+), mouth-drenching acidity and high-intensity tannins pucker your mouth from stem to stern. Definitely requires relief in the form of cheese or fatty food. Overall, though, it was very enjoyable, and we have yet to dislike a bottle of Penfolds at any price range. "Very good," 87/100.
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A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied blend, with blackberry, black cherry, some chocolate and spice on finish, an average red. www.winelx.com
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Dark Ruby. This has improved significantly since my last bottle, which i now believe must have been slightly off. Nose of ripe cassis, dark cherry, pencil shavings, crushed rocks, and earthy notes. Palate is rich and flavorfull, balanced with ripe dark fruit and fresh acidity. The cabernet is showing more than its fair share on the nose and palate, which i happen to like. Simplistic in composition, but nice and balanced. Good for the pricetag and not a jammy fruitbomb at all. Finishes medium+ ending in mineral and tobacco.
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After deciding to start trying "finer" wines and going on a binge for the past six months it was time to take a step back from $20-$30 bottles and try the old stuff.
Purchased at the local grocer and upon opening this had a bit of a sting to it. Difficult to discern fruit but definitely felt the alcohol. After decanting for one hour and adding a slight chill (about 60 degrees) the wine came around and began to show more of the shiraz pepper notes and fruit you expect from an Aussie. As much body and complexity as you can expect from an $8 bottle with a light to medium finish. This was a very pleasant sipper and worked well with our dinner. No need to set your expectations too high, it is what it is, entry level but much better than peers at a similar price. Enjoy!
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dark ruby colour. The nose is dominated by stewed red fruits, initially overwhelmed by a musty odor, which is offputting. It resides with time but a hint remains. The palate is not affected by the odor, but shows simple raspberry and black cherry character, mediumbodied and one-dimensional. THe finish is short, with a little heat on the finish. The tannins fully resolved and polished. Simple, but with ok balance between tannins and acidity. actually gains a little weight on the midpalate and finish with decantation, so packing a little more than at first sight
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For the price - kind of what you would expect - simple, straightforward every day sipper...bright red fruit with some structure with light acid and tannin. Not complex and not something to savour for the long term.
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Popped and poured. Reticent nose of spice and dark fruit. Medium bodied, smooth and acidic, delivering discreet spice, some liquorice and little dark fruit. Firm tannins. Pretty simple stuff. An easy quaffer.
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Delightful and hearty nose with peppery-spice aromas; briery with aromas of black currant and herbs de Provence. Big raspberry and blackberry flavors with an aggressive acidic bite. An assertive but ultimately pleasing weeknight red.
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Pour la recette de birria, ce ragoût d'agneau au goût torréfié, rehaussé de chilis, de clou de girofle, de cannelle, de cumin, de laurier et de thym, puis servi avec des tortillas, des oignons crus, du jus de lime et de la coriandre fraîche, il vous faut opter pour ce généreux rouge à la fois cacaoté et anisé. Ce à quoi répond ce très beau Koonunga Hills, au fruité pur et précis, au boisé discret, à la bouche d'une bonne ampleur, et même généreuse, aux tannins fins, à l'acidité fraîche et aux saveurs longues, laissant des traces épicées. Rares sont les assemblages australiens à ce prix à être vinifiés avec autant de sérieux et, même si déjà des plus agréables à boire, bâtis pour une garde de plus de 10 ans.
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Always an overperformer in its price range. Very dark purple. Continuously evolving nose of plummy fruit, dark berries, licorice and eucalyptus. Med-full bodied, dense and creamy in texture with generous, opulent fruit, velvety tannins and moderate yet sufficient acidity. Satisfactory aftertaste. I guess this will be even better after a couple of years.
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A bit monolithic and dumb on the first day. This opened up considerably on the second day, offering a more generous palate while offering a firm tannic backbone. Not much fragrance, but this had reasonable density, weight and balance.
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3/4/2022 - JackKingman Likes this wine: 78 Points
If you have it, drink it. There's no benefit to additional aging. Already past the peak.
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9/17/2018 - jluca Likes this wine: 87 Points
Nice aroma. Flavorsome
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12/12/2017 - Umay Ceviker wrote: 87 Points
Ruby with brick highlights. Some vegetal notes out front followed by sour cherry aromas. Bitter on the palate entry then shows off its oak before the tangy, red berry fruit.
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9/1/2017 - Ralph_ wrote: 80 Points
past peak
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8/5/2016 - BigfootPMH wrote: 88 Points
Decanted and consumed slowly. This is a decent but unremarkable wine.
Undetectable tannins but enough general structure, this wine is likely to be drinking near its peak now and for another couple of years.
Unmistakably Penfolds and the 6 years since the vintage have improved its proposition immeasurably.
It's a fruit forward wine but mostly characterised as single dimensioned.
Is it a buy again? Probably not with better options in the sub $20 tier of the market (such as St Hallet Faith Shiraz, Duck Duck Goose Shiraz and Margan Shiraz) but it's drinkable after some time in the cellar.
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5/27/2016 - ThalesGaspar Likes this wine: 88 Points
Another great bottle of Penfolds for the price! Delicious.
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12/12/2015 - Lambsfry Likes this wine:
Tinaroo with Kings and Berthers
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4/30/2015 - pkbowen Likes this wine: 87 Points
Aerated into a decanter. Presents as a brilliant ruby with an inky core and a bit of fine sediment in the last 5-10 mL. After pouring the nose is just hulking, massive, intense, and barely tolerable. Just that strong. After a few minutes (15+) it settles down and smells of smoked meat and rich earth. It's fairly straightforward, but very pleasant. It matches for the most part on the palate from the attack through the short finish. The structure is what makes this mouth-filling and especially "big." Medium(+), mouth-drenching acidity and high-intensity tannins pucker your mouth from stem to stern. Definitely requires relief in the form of cheese or fatty food. Overall, though, it was very enjoyable, and we have yet to dislike a bottle of Penfolds at any price range. "Very good," 87/100.
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9/20/2014 - powrsurg Likes this wine:
Unstructured immature tannins. That said its creamy with loads of vanilla, currants, and a touch of coffee.
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9/3/2014 - corkscrews wrote:
A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied blend, with blackberry, black cherry, some chocolate and spice on finish, an average red. www.winelx.com
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6/10/2014 - dwaynelm Likes this wine: 88 Points
Dark fruit with bright acidity, hint of earthiness and balanced oak. Nice value.
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4/7/2014 - dwaynelm Likes this wine: 85 Points
Dark fruit, what I think of as a classic Aussie profile. Not my preference but no complaints at $5.
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1/15/2014 - dwaynelm Likes this wine: 87 Points
Dark fruit, spice, and tobacco. Surprisingly complex for the price.
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1/7/2014 - ItamarL wrote: 71 Points
- med+ color
- green odder
- Very bitter , unfruity & unbalance
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12/12/2013 - with_1 wrote: 89 Points
Outstanding qpr!
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12/11/2013 - mattias_hansen@hotmail.com Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark Ruby. This has improved significantly since my last bottle, which i now believe must have been slightly off. Nose of ripe cassis, dark cherry, pencil shavings, crushed rocks, and earthy notes. Palate is rich and flavorfull, balanced with ripe dark fruit and fresh acidity. The cabernet is showing more than its fair share on the nose and palate, which i happen to like. Simplistic in composition, but nice and balanced. Good for the pricetag and not a jammy fruitbomb at all. Finishes medium+ ending in mineral and tobacco.
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10/19/2013 - xinco Likes this wine: 84 Points
Adequate. Prefer the shiraz, not the blend. Bought a case of this by mistake, good enough not to return.
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10/3/2013 - LindaFox Likes this wine: 87 Points
75% Shiraz, 25% Cab. Sauv., dark cherry and anise with a crisp acidity and a medium finish. This is a good, dependable wine.
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9/23/2013 - wintergreen wrote: 86 Points
nose: very aromatic, floral, smoky red fruit. bacon/roasted pig
palate: cherry candy, cooked plums. nice acidity. good tannins. savory finish with a hint of cinnamon and eucalyptus
if you like the flavor profile, go for it. it was too warm for me.
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8/11/2013 - AndreasHeddini Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very smooth, black currant, chocolate and warm tannins
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6/14/2013 - earlyApex wrote: 86 Points
After deciding to start trying "finer" wines and going on a binge for the past six months it was time to take a step back from $20-$30 bottles and try the old stuff.
Purchased at the local grocer and upon opening this had a bit of a sting to it. Difficult to discern fruit but definitely felt the alcohol. After decanting for one hour and adding a slight chill (about 60 degrees) the wine came around and began to show more of the shiraz pepper notes and fruit you expect from an Aussie. As much body and complexity as you can expect from an $8 bottle with a light to medium finish. This was a very pleasant sipper and worked well with our dinner. No need to set your expectations too high, it is what it is, entry level but much better than peers at a similar price. Enjoy!
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5/16/2013 - tschneid Likes this wine: 87 Points
Good but not great. Good everyday kind of wine.
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5/2/2013 - mattias_hansen@hotmail.com wrote: 86 Points
dark ruby colour. The nose is dominated by stewed red fruits, initially overwhelmed by a musty odor, which is offputting. It resides with time but a hint remains. The palate is not affected by the odor, but shows simple raspberry and black cherry character, mediumbodied and one-dimensional. THe finish is short, with a little heat on the finish. The tannins fully resolved and polished. Simple, but with ok balance between tannins and acidity. actually gains a little weight on the midpalate and finish with decantation, so packing a little more than at first sight
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4/20/2013 - bianca15 wrote: 87 Points
Nice, not great. Not big but has some spice and good tannins. Interesting but would not go out of our way to buy again.
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4/5/2013 - YWG Wine Guy wrote: 85 Points
For the price - kind of what you would expect - simple, straightforward every day sipper...bright red fruit with some structure with light acid and tannin. Not complex and not something to savour for the long term.
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2/9/2013 - vin0vin0 wrote: 84 Points
Nice enough Cab-Shiraz blend. Somewhat lighter in body, smooth tannins, medium red fruit and not overly complex. Good mid week sipper for the price.
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1/8/2013 - Ninj5 wrote: 81 Points
Slightly bitter aftertaste but smooth drink
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12/8/2012 - jskuek wrote: 85 Points
Some how, if you have time, give it 2 hours in the decanter before drinking it. Much more powerful and stronger, nice wine and good value.
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12/7/2012 - shank wrote: 86 Points
Great wine for the price. Dark fruit, little tannins.
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11/29/2012 - degrandcru wrote: 83 Points
Found the fruit very unripe, medium body, not really bad, but nothing special at all. OK for under $10, but for above $20 in Mexico way overpriced.
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11/9/2012 - Henman wrote: 86 Points
Popped and poured. Reticent nose of spice and dark fruit. Medium bodied, smooth and acidic, delivering discreet spice, some liquorice and little dark fruit. Firm tannins. Pretty simple stuff. An easy quaffer.
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9/19/2012 - Glharv wrote: 88 Points
Delightful and hearty nose with peppery-spice aromas; briery with aromas of black currant and herbs de Provence. Big raspberry and blackberry flavors with an aggressive acidic bite. An assertive but ultimately pleasing weeknight red.
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9/3/2012 - Carniolan wrote:
okay, could stand a little aging
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8/24/2012 - mwanasheria wrote: 86 Points
Cassis, herbs, licorice, tar. Well made but not special.
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7/22/2012 - nrad6949 wrote: 86 Points
Penfolds Wine Lounge - Wine Appreciation Class; 7/16/2012-7/22/2012 (The Emporium Shopping Complex, Bangkok.): Blackberries, Herbal, fruit-forward, bit feeling of oak. Not much tannins. Still thinking of what's missing in this wine.
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7/16/2012 - philhamelin wrote:
Pour la recette de birria, ce ragoût d'agneau au goût torréfié, rehaussé de chilis, de clou de girofle, de cannelle, de cumin, de laurier et de thym, puis servi avec des tortillas, des oignons crus, du jus de lime et de la coriandre fraîche, il vous faut opter pour ce généreux rouge à la fois cacaoté et anisé. Ce à quoi répond ce très beau Koonunga Hills, au fruité pur et précis, au boisé discret, à la bouche d'une bonne ampleur, et même généreuse, aux tannins fins, à l'acidité fraîche et aux saveurs longues, laissant des traces épicées. Rares sont les assemblages australiens à ce prix à être vinifiés avec autant de sérieux et, même si déjà des plus agréables à boire, bâtis pour une garde de plus de 10 ans.
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6/29/2012 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 88 Points
Not bad for $8 with sweet fruits, floral, minerals and coffee beans. One of the better under $10 wines of the year.
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4/27/2012 - Yiannis wrote: 90 Points
Always an overperformer in its price range. Very dark purple. Continuously evolving nose of plummy fruit, dark berries, licorice and eucalyptus. Med-full bodied, dense and creamy in texture with generous, opulent fruit, velvety tannins and moderate yet sufficient acidity. Satisfactory aftertaste. I guess this will be even better after a couple of years.
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3/13/2012 - Mstroh55 wrote: 86 Points
Always a good everyday wine. Nice body and fruit. Clean finish.
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1/24/2012 - mdefreitas wrote: 87 Points
A bit monolithic and dumb on the first day. This opened up considerably on the second day, offering a more generous palate while offering a firm tannic backbone. Not much fragrance, but this had reasonable density, weight and balance.
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