Peppery, leathery, with pure cherry fruit. Paired with food (on this occasion a beef gulasch) it was transformed into something altogether lighter and almost Pinot-like. Next to a a 2015 Gigondas Valbelle from Chateau de Saint Cosme it seemed positively delicate! Quite unexpected performance but very enjoyable. All concerns about greenness have abated.
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Nearly sweet nose adherent to ripened shiraz, but spicy and focused on the palet. M+ acidity, spicy, with an aftertaste remeniscent of ripe dark cherries. Frsh and lively and promising still!
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Now tasting properly mature. On opening it has that green character that I observed in early bottles, which made me worry, but it opens up very quickly, with that sweaty-saddle leather character associated with Hunter Shiraz, and restrained, lean palate. Plummy and spicy but in no way fat. Very enjoyable.
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It’s the sulphery note that really makes this wine at present I wonder if totally blind it might be mistake for Chardonnay “struck match”….perhaps not.
Underneath is still quite youthful, medium bodied (at most) blackberry shiraz.
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Continuing the 2011 Hunter theme, this is my first Vat 9 in some time. Juicy red and black fruit on the nose with spice. Colour is similar, with some early separation around the edges. Integrated, toasty tannins with good acid structure and reasonable length. 12.9% ABV. Towards the lighter end of medium bodied, and if served blind I would have likely picked this as a very enjoyable Pinot Noir. 92+.
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Who would expect- fresh shiraz! and that for an 11 year old stunner hardly any tertiary aromes on the nose of palet, very pure and straight clean syrah. Acidity M+, med bodied. fantastic!
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Finally hitting its straps. Loads of sweaty saddle, molasses, pepper; still has that stingy green acid finish but the aromatics are really characterful.
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NobleRottersSydney - New South Wales (Fix, St James, Sydney): {screwcap, 12.9%} [Aaron] Dark earth, peat, malt, blackberry. A little developed, with bright primary character having given way to some earthiness. There is a core of sweet black fruit on the palate, which is fresher and lighter than I expected from the bouquet. It’s medium weight, with medium chalky tannins, and coats the tongue evenly, but the acidity seemed quite reticent, which just took the edge off the wine somehow. Medium length finish. Maybe a decant would have helped. It was a fine Hunter vintage; I wouldn’t hesitate to keep this, but maybe some air will help.
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One of the better showings from 2011. This is fine and dusty. Fruit a little muted at this stage but still sitting nicely in the mix. I prefer the ‘11 Johnno’s at this stage, but both are maturing nicely.
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Tyrrell's Vat 9 Vertical: Pale translucent ruby; red and blue fruited with baking spices, medium-bodied, well-balanced with a fine seam of acidity, good length and intensity. The oak is well judged, a deft touch that seasons rather than overwhelms. Approachable now however with the stuffing for further ageing over the medium term.
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Quick Note from a wine catch up: Medium body hunter: Deep red fruit, pomegranate, boysenberry, light pepper mixed in with some spice on a medium palate with reasonable length. Bottle disappeared a bit quickly between 3 of us. But there was debate on now or later, 2-1 drink soonish (3yrs).
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I agree with Screwcaps comments. The pale crimson colour, reticent fruit and high acidity give a bit of a jolt, but over 2 days this opened up with ever more flavours and the structure seemed to integrate. Potentially very, very good.
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Still resting on its acids, a lovely middle weight Hunter with the beginnings of age complexity setting in. Squishy purple and blue berry, autumn leaves, touch of green pepper, capsicum and green flowers. Has a lovely Pinot like suppleness. Will go another 10 without worry, but I’ll be checking my last bottles in two to three years.93 with upside. On day two this became very skinny and green. Clearly stilll some way to go.
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Classic hunter Shiraz fruit and flavour profile albeit slightly green tinged around the gills. Still quite enjoyable and will develop well for a few more years.
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Very pure, balanced, elegant Shiraz. Raspberry/boysenberry, leather, earth, creamy vanilla. Silky tannins and medium length. Wholly enjoyable but not really memorable.
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SLDS February 2017: Rubber, licorice, raspberry and redcurrant. Nice restraint to the fruit, still showing some youthful brightness but the structure and texture are the main features at the moment. Developing well and more time will be of benefit.
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Light touch with cherry and red fruits. Palate is light to medium bodied. A bit crunchy and simple. Decent length. Nice, but needs some time to show it's wares.
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Ok. Bought on recommendation of rep at total wine. No way this is a 97 pt wine. Not now or ever. Touch gamy, bright red fruit and good balance. Unfortunately, the wine came off as thin, off vintage product. With unripe grapes and resultant 12.9% etoh.
Enjoyed for the education. Aussie Shiraz at less than 15% etoh but not wowed at all.
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Translucent, vibrant pink/purple flashes. The complete opposite of what you expect from stereotypical Australian shiraz - ultra crunchy light red fruits, peach kernels, a layer of caramel, with white pepper following on the palate. Perfectly approachable now in the sense that nothing overwhelms, but I expect it is currently far from its best.
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The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like red currant, asparagus and oak. It tastes like black pepper. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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Hunter Valley - 6 Cellar Doors (Hunter Valley): {screwcap, 12.9%} Pure nose of youthful raspberry and blackberry essence. The flavours add a spicy, peppery note, along with savoury, earthy characters; it’s ripe and balanced, medium/full-bodied, subtly-oaked, with a medium/long finish. Even palate. Class act which needs an age to soften further and let its dimensions of depth shine through.
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Wine-Ark boys on tour - Hunter Valley 2014 - Day 3 (Hunter Valley): Aromas of cream, vanilla, spice, black berry and plum with black olive hints. In the mouth there are flavours of blackberry and plum fruit with spice. Plentiful front of mouth grip with lends a chewy texture to the mouth feel. The fruit carries long. Kind of nice. Very well made.
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Subdued, funky nose featuring stewed rhubarb and sour cherry aromas. Light-medium body. Bright sour cherry flavours with some cinnamon spice. A bit tannic at this stage. Quite long. Lovely, but needs time. 93+
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Game of Rhones (St.Kilda Town Hall, Melbourne): Rubber over concentrated red fruit, also a little funkiness and notes of blood, iron and meat touches. Cream. In the mouth the wine has juicy red currant fruit and talc like tannin. It's a bit disjointed. Hmm
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Hunter Wineries (2) - Broke Rd: {screwcap, 12.9%, A$50} A nose quite similar to the same vintage Johnno’s shiraz, but with just a darker accent to the light red fruits. This is relatively medium/full-bodied, though; packed with acid and medium/high tannins, violet and cherry fruits. This is really dense, without being heavy somehow. Tightly-packed might be a better phrase. The whole of the palate is engaged; speaks volumes for the aging potential. One to keep.
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3/3/2024 - gtilley wrote:
Peppery, leathery, with pure cherry fruit. Paired with food (on this occasion a beef gulasch) it was transformed into something altogether lighter and almost Pinot-like. Next to a a 2015 Gigondas Valbelle from Chateau de Saint Cosme it seemed positively delicate! Quite unexpected performance but very enjoyable. All concerns about greenness have abated.
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6/24/2023 - Berk_The_Caretaker wrote: 90 Points
Very burgundian. Blind this could be pinot.
Forest floor, forward red fruits, bright acidity. Very good stuff!
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4/29/2023 - colinscellar Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ripe red berry and blueberry fruit. Acidity keeps it fresh. Dusty tannins. Sweet vanilla.
Only bottle sadly, I really like this wine.
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2/26/2023 - Spikemaster wrote: 92 Points
Nearly sweet nose adherent to ripened shiraz, but spicy and focused on the palet. M+ acidity, spicy, with an aftertaste remeniscent of ripe dark cherries. Frsh and lively and promising still!
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2/8/2023 - gtilley wrote:
Now tasting properly mature. On opening it has that green character that I observed in early bottles, which made me worry, but it opens up very quickly, with that sweaty-saddle leather character associated with Hunter Shiraz, and restrained, lean palate. Plummy and spicy but in no way fat. Very enjoyable.
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6/27/2022 - ProfByron Likes this wine: 92 Points
It’s the sulphery note that really makes this wine at present I wonder if totally blind it might be mistake for Chardonnay “struck match”….perhaps not.
Underneath is still quite youthful, medium bodied (at most) blackberry shiraz.
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3/21/2022 - For The Love of Loosen Likes this wine: 92 Points
Continuing the 2011 Hunter theme, this is my first Vat 9 in some time. Juicy red and black fruit on the nose with spice. Colour is similar, with some early separation around the edges. Integrated, toasty tannins with good acid structure and reasonable length. 12.9% ABV. Towards the lighter end of medium bodied, and if served blind I would have likely picked this as a very enjoyable Pinot Noir. 92+.
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3/12/2022 - Spikemaster Likes this wine: 92 Points
Who would expect- fresh shiraz! and that for an 11 year old stunner hardly any tertiary aromes on the nose of palet, very pure and straight clean syrah. Acidity M+, med bodied. fantastic!
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10/23/2021 - gtilley wrote:
Finally hitting its straps. Loads of sweaty saddle, molasses, pepper; still has that stingy green acid finish but the aromatics are really characterful.
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10/13/2021 - graemeg wrote:
NobleRottersSydney - New South Wales (Fix, St James, Sydney): {screwcap, 12.9%} [Aaron] Dark earth, peat, malt, blackberry. A little developed, with bright primary character having given way to some earthiness. There is a core of sweet black fruit on the palate, which is fresher and lighter than I expected from the bouquet. It’s medium weight, with medium chalky tannins, and coats the tongue evenly, but the acidity seemed quite reticent, which just took the edge off the wine somehow. Medium length finish. Maybe a decant would have helped. It was a fine Hunter vintage; I wouldn’t hesitate to keep this, but maybe some air will help.
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7/17/2021 - Jimmy_D Likes this wine: 92 Points
One of the better showings from 2011. This is fine and dusty. Fruit a little muted at this stage but still sitting nicely in the mix. I prefer the ‘11 Johnno’s at this stage, but both are maturing nicely.
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2/23/2021 - lightning wrote:
Tyrrell's Vat 9 Vertical: Pale translucent ruby; red and blue fruited with baking spices, medium-bodied, well-balanced with a fine seam of acidity, good length and intensity. The oak is well judged, a deft touch that seasons rather than overwhelms. Approachable now however with the stuffing for further ageing over the medium term.
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12/31/2020 - ShirazTrain wrote: 93 Points
Quick Note from a wine catch up:
Medium body hunter: Deep red fruit, pomegranate, boysenberry,
light pepper mixed in with some spice on a medium palate with reasonable length.
Bottle disappeared a bit quickly between 3 of us. But there was debate on now or later, 2-1 drink soonish (3yrs).
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6/6/2020 - rwpalmer wrote:
I agree with Screwcaps comments. The pale crimson colour, reticent fruit and high acidity give a bit of a jolt, but over 2 days this opened up with ever more flavours and the structure seemed to integrate. Potentially very, very good.
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6/5/2020 - Screwcaps Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still resting on its acids, a lovely middle weight Hunter with the beginnings of age complexity setting in. Squishy purple and blue berry, autumn leaves, touch of green pepper, capsicum and green flowers. Has a lovely Pinot like suppleness. Will go another 10 without worry, but I’ll be checking my last bottles in two to three years.93 with upside. On day two this became very skinny and green. Clearly stilll some way to go.
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5/19/2020 - Paco55 wrote: 91 Points
Classic hunter Shiraz fruit and flavour profile albeit slightly green tinged around the gills. Still quite enjoyable and will develop well for a few more years.
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5/4/2020 - azzah Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very pure, balanced, elegant Shiraz. Raspberry/boysenberry, leather, earth, creamy vanilla. Silky tannins and medium length. Wholly enjoyable but not really memorable.
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4/19/2020 - GGYokine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Elegant refined purity of fruit, excellent Hunter Shiraz.
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8/30/2019 - gtilley wrote:
Consistent with previous note but it has softened a little and the green note is less jarring. Still a long way to go.
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11/7/2017 - VinCapitan wrote: 92 Points
cherry and plums, little green tobacco, savoury earthen raspberry, bright lifted fruit with acid slightly sticking out
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4/10/2017 - AusFin Wines wrote: 93 Points
Gorgeous medium bodied wine with an extremely long finish. A pure pleasure to drink.
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2/15/2017 - CamWheeler wrote: 90 Points
SLDS February 2017: Rubber, licorice, raspberry and redcurrant. Nice restraint to the fruit, still showing some youthful brightness but the structure and texture are the main features at the moment. Developing well and more time will be of benefit.
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2/15/2017 - fizz wrote:
Light touch with cherry and red fruits. Palate is light to medium bodied. A bit crunchy and simple. Decent length. Nice, but needs some time to show it's wares.
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5/27/2016 - texaswinelover wrote:
Ok. Bought on recommendation of rep at total wine. No way this is a 97 pt wine. Not now or ever. Touch gamy, bright red fruit and good balance. Unfortunately, the wine came off as thin, off vintage product. With unripe grapes and resultant 12.9% etoh.
Enjoyed for the education. Aussie Shiraz at less than 15% etoh but not wowed at all.
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4/14/2016 - vincemcd61 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice wine. Screw top, hmmm. Had with tacos.
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12/3/2015 - gtilley wrote: 90 Points
Translucent, vibrant pink/purple flashes. The complete opposite of what you expect from stereotypical Australian shiraz - ultra crunchy light red fruits, peach kernels, a layer of caramel, with white pepper following on the palate. Perfectly approachable now in the sense that nothing overwhelms, but I expect it is currently far from its best.
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7/18/2015 - MSheargold wrote: 89 Points
The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like red currant, asparagus and oak. It tastes like black pepper. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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5/18/2015 - PT insurgent wrote:
N - Smoke, meat, black fruits, ripe plum, spice pepper.
P - Bright, good acidity, pepper, toasty, ripe plum, blackberry, spice, silky, clove oak.
LWF, London
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1/17/2015 - graemeg wrote:
Hunter Valley - 6 Cellar Doors (Hunter Valley): {screwcap, 12.9%} Pure nose of youthful raspberry and blackberry essence. The flavours add a spicy, peppery note, along with savoury, earthy characters; it’s ripe and balanced, medium/full-bodied, subtly-oaked, with a medium/long finish. Even palate. Class act which needs an age to soften further and let its dimensions of depth shine through.
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9/14/2014 - chatters wrote:
Wine-Ark boys on tour - Hunter Valley 2014 - Day 3 (Hunter Valley): Aromas of cream, vanilla, spice, black berry and plum with black olive hints. In the mouth there are flavours of blackberry and plum fruit with spice. Plentiful front of mouth grip with lends a chewy texture to the mouth feel. The fruit carries long. Kind of nice. Very well made.
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7/2/2014 - startinoz wrote: 93 Points
Subdued, funky nose featuring stewed rhubarb and sour cherry aromas. Light-medium body. Bright sour cherry flavours with some cinnamon spice. A bit tannic at this stage. Quite long. Lovely, but needs time. 93+
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6/14/2014 - chatters wrote:
Game of Rhones (St.Kilda Town Hall, Melbourne): Rubber over concentrated red fruit, also a little funkiness and notes of blood, iron and meat touches. Cream. In the mouth the wine has juicy red currant fruit and talc like tannin. It's a bit disjointed. Hmm
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5/1/2014 - CamWheeler wrote: 90 Points
Australian Wine Unearthed Public Tasting (Sydney, Australia): Earth, black cherry and chocolate. Good restraint here, there is fruit but it is savoury and not at all the focus. Medium length.
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4/29/2013 - CamWheeler wrote: 90 Points
Hunter Valley Visit 2013; 4/26/2013-4/29/2013 (Hunter Valley, Australia): Pepper, earthy, blackberry and cherry. Nice elegance to the palate, it is tightly wound but will be very good with more time.
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1/5/2013 - graemeg wrote:
Hunter Wineries (2) - Broke Rd: {screwcap, 12.9%, A$50} A nose quite similar to the same vintage Johnno’s shiraz, but with just a darker accent to the light red fruits. This is relatively medium/full-bodied, though; packed with acid and medium/high tannins, violet and cherry fruits. This is really dense, without being heavy somehow. Tightly-packed might be a better phrase. The whole of the palate is engaged; speaks volumes for the aging potential. One to keep.
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