The first vintage ever of this wine. The purchased fruit is sourced from multiple old vineyards in Barossa valley. Fermented in old open-top oak fermentors and stainless steel tanks with a submerged cap. Aged in new (47%) and once, twice or three times used (53%) French oak barriques. 14,5% alcohol, 5,7 g/l acidity and pH 3,55.
Moderately deep, luminous and quite translucent black cherry color with an evolved maroon hue. Clean, fragrant and still relatively youthful nose with aromas of fresh forest fruits, some sweet blackberry marmalade and ripe blackcurrant tones, light meaty notes, a little bit of tomato puree, a perfumed hint of violets and a woody touch of toasty oak spice. The wine is clean, silky and harmonious on the palate with a medium-to-moderately full body and quite sunny yet still surprisingly fresh and quite youthful flavors ripe blackberries and crunchy cranberries, some toasty oak spice, a little bit of meaty umami, light floral notes of violets, a hint of allspice and a sweeter touch of boysenberry jam. Despite its obvious ripeness, the wine shows terrific sense of structure, all thanks to its high acidity and still pleasantly firm and moderately grippy medium tannins. The finish is spicy, somewhat grippy and quite youthful with long, rather dry flavors of peppery spice and more fragrant notes of allspice, some boysenberry tones, a little bit of meaty umami, light brambly notes of black raspberries, a sweeter hint of cherry juice and a toasty touch of caramel oak.
A very impressive, structured and harmonious Barossa Shiraz that shows wonderful freshness, purity and sense of structure for the style. In our tasting of mainly Barossa Shiraz from 1994 to 2006, this was probably the most youthful wine with probably the highest acidity, making it come across as much more balanced and harmonious in comparison - many of its peers came across as pretty flabby, tired or both. It's quite obvious that this wine must've been a bigger and oakier wine in its youth, but at the moment it feels the fruit has integrated the oak aromatics surprisingly well so that they don't really dominate the wine, but instead intermingle with the somewhat evolved yet not tertiary fruit flavors. Based on the freshness, relatively youthful overall character and quite impressive structure of the wine, I'd say there's still some way to go before this wine is at its plateau of maturity; it is drinking very nicely now, but I can imagine it will continue to improve nicely for at least a handful of years more. Fine stuff. Drink or keep.
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On opening it tasted of red fruits and seemed to have disconcertingly high acidity. Tasted two hours later with barbecued Ibérico pork, it was the perfect match, with darker red fruits and a little chocolate coffee. I would recommend drinking up any remaining bottles as I don’t see it going anywhere from here...
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From the start this comes across as a beautifully crafted wine. Dark fruits overlaid with vanilla, this is still quite young, and the dregs drank beautifully on the second day. Long, nicely balanced, it wears its alcohol well and never seems over-extracted. Try again in a couple of years, or drink now. I suspect it will be delicious for a while yet...
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First things first, I am not generally in favor of non-fortified wines that clock in at 14.5% ABV. But 2004 Entity is awfully tender for a high alcohol wine. Chocolate covered raspberries, subtle spice and a highly polished silky texture. Really, this is incredible wine at this price.
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This one impressed me with it's out of the gate intensity, no need to decant, it's ready to drink! So drink up! Big fruit flavors, blackberries, raspberries, mostly. Spice brings up the rear as it opens up - in like 20 minutes from opening. It's acidity will keep it humming along all night, and in the bottle for another 2-5 years, I'm guessing. Did I mention this John Duval seems to know a thing or 3 about wine making. Well, if you've ever heard of Penfolds Grange, he IS Mr Penfolds Grange (or so I'm told) fyi.
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Drinking very well - fully integrated. Consistent notes from last tasting. This bottle can go longer, but there is no need to hold it. Beautiful. Score [ 50 + 5 + 14 + 18 + 9 ] = 96
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This is SO interesting. John Duval made Penfolds Grange what it is today, having made it for a few decades. He also makes a Washington wine for Long Shadows that I'm way fond of. But this has it's own identity, feeling a bit more like a California Syrah (as opposed to a Barrossa style Shiraz, which it is). Lots of nice fruit, the red kind. At 11 years old it's still got spring in it's step. Not "over the top" - but solid.
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This is a very enjoyable wine. The tannins have had time to mellow and it is drinking very well now. That said, there is much more time left on this gem and additional years will undoubtedly improve it still. Score [ 50 + 5 + 14 + 18 + 9 ] = 96
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PnP with Cheese course. The wine looks inky colored. The legs are slow. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, black currant (cassis), oak, black pepper and violet. The body is full. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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A toasty wine with lots of spice, oak, and dark fruits. The palate had a combination of dark spices, toasty oak, dark fruits and floral notes. Definitely has a sweet edge to it too.
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-- popped and poured -- -- tasted non-blind over five hours on Day 1; and then tasted again on Day 2 --
NOSE: oaky; non-descript ripe purple fruits; clean; cassis; tarry black licorice; not complex.
BODY: black-violet color of great depth; medium-full to full bodied.
TASTE: oaky; ripe purple fruits; fruity; not leathery; adequate acidity; still primary --- doesn’t taste aged at all; sweet molasses/black licorice; creamy French oak; 5 hours in, a slightly smoky element has emerged; has, perhaps, aged to a primary-but-not-fresh stage of its life, and it’s not pretty; 14.5% alc. is well-hidden; little-to-zero tannin remains; drink in the near term? --- this does seem to be well-balanced, so maybe this could go longer – I don’t know. Day 2 was more of the same, with the oakiness standing-out more than any other characteristic. Overall, I was somewhat disappointed by this; I’ve been impressed with having tasted a few different vintages of this wine when each was newly-released, and I’ve always thought this could age well: this bottle has me re-thinking that opinion.
B: 50, 5, 11, 15, 7 = 88-
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Tasted by excalibur 26 First bottle I have opened of eight total that I own. Very youthful, with a dense color that belies a nearly nine year old wine. Open twenty minutes as I write this. Very jammy with a whole lot more going on then it can show right now. Blackberry, dark berry nose. Very smooth. Good tannins that are neither soft nor hard, good 'stuffing'. In no way 'hot' with the 14.5% alcohol. Definitely some licorice emerging along with hard to define spice. Will get better, I have no doubt. Much of what is 'hiding' in the background in the nose and the palate will emerge over the next four or five years. Should reach its peak in 2016-2020. How it will hold after that will be interesting to find out. But it could last to 2030 if well stored. All my bottles have excellent fill, no protruding corks. If I am right, and some can still be find in a few places, a worthwhile purchase even now. I rate it 92+
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Surprisingly fresh cherry fruit and acidity, slight briny olive tapenade, buttery oak influence, full body. Not alot of complexity here, but a straightforward delicious drinker.
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Quite an enjoyable wine. It was a P and P. Red in color, with somewhat of a muted nose. Overriding tasting profile was of blackberries/black raspberries with sweet tobacco and some leather. Did not discern much in the way of syrah's peppery/meaty/bloody profile. Tannins were in balance and not obtrusive and quite balanced. it also had some very juicy acidity to add backbone and had a medium finish. Overall, quite enjoyable.
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appears well made, but not my style. Popped and poured, and was initially pleasantly surprised by the restraint: black raspberry and dried herbs. As it opened, however, it began to fall apart.
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Texture is what strikes me most; so smooth and sily, it's almost odd how smooth. Creem berry pie (whatever that is). No pepper or spice or meat. No alcohol apparent at all and I was looking! Listed at 14.5%. Seemless. Just the tiniest amounts of earth, leather and coffee. slightly floral, perfomed nose. Day 2 - palate has filled out a mit but not changed. A very, very nice wine but not my idea of a typical Syrah. Decanted 2 hrs.
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3 hours after decanting, it was drinking well: huge but balanced, good fruit and roast game on the nose, dark fruit and some oak, then a lasting, lighter finish. Good in the cellar for at least another 10 years.
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Popped and poured. This is a nice bottle of wine, but a couple of things knocked the score down for me. It seems a bit out of balance, and I couldn't get over the smell and taste of green stem. Drank over two days and noted day 2 showed significantly better.
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Wine and Cheese; 7/13/2010-7/14/2010: Similar to prior (4/3/09). This is just a huge wine. Very fruit forward and beautifully balanced. The acidity and the tannins are both strong, but not offensive. It completely overwhelmed all the stinky cheeses we were eating, except for the Stilton - with which I thought it paired nicely. Great wine. (4+13+17+8)
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A nose of dark fruit and toast, dark opaque purple in color. This wine has gotten better with age, blackberry, plum, cassis, pepper, elegant for a big Shiraz. A special bottle of wine that would still be good years from now.
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Medium bodied, easy drinking sweet creme brulee' with that burnt sugar and vanilla taste intermixed with plum, red raspberry laced with camphor on the long smooth finish.
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PnP at a function with friends last night. Had with appetizers and cheeses at the table. Very poor glassware (actually plastic cups) could not hide how good this wine was. Strong aroma of fruits, leading to a predominately blueberry and maybe some other red fruit on the palate, all fresh. Med + body, but a very soft easy drinking wine. Med acidity, great finish with maybe a slight hint of sweetness, even some of the non -winos at the table were asking me about it. While this was fruit driven, it wasn't the fake over the top fruit that you can sometimes find in Oz...This was one of the better wines I have had in a while and given better glassware, might even be a 93 pointer...Strongly recommend... I've had the 04 and the 05, and both have been great, I may have to search out whatever I can find.
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Kobe Burgers and New World Wines (Reno, NV): Deeply colored, ruby rim. On the nose plenty of vanilla and blueberry (some other mixed red and dark fruits)... hint of eukalyptol... still relatively primary. On the palate an awkward ascent with a flash of heat early... rich and sweet midpalate, very ripe and well integrated tannins on the finish... high ETOH. Wine a little out of balance on the soft side with ripeness of fruit, high ETOH, sweetness midpalate exceeded by coarse, added acidity. Decent length, good intensity of flavors, low to average complexity... really lacks finesse and has some textural issues... very good expression of place. I think with time the wine's textural issues will worsen so I would drink this up... for its style (40+ USD Barossa shiraz) I suppose this is a "good" wine but I don't really see the qpr here and neither will many other people who are more textural tasters.
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Just hard not to drink these as they lay around. So approchable, so yummy, so easy to drink.... Big, yet subtle, rich and smooth. Balanced, beautiful fruit. Ripe. Same TN's as previous bottles.
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Clean and subtle aromas of fresh blueberries, face powder, sandalwood, and vanilla bean. Intriguing on the palate, with nicely textured notes of Asian pickled plums, pomegranate, and red plums. Some drying tannins on the very long finish. A very well-made Shiraz that is both fruit forward and balanced.
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This was a monster wine, loaded with ripe black fruits and licorice. I think more than a few people guessed Aussie, but this wasn't a spoofed wine, just big and very full on the mouth. Nothing overdone here at all and very pleasant. The first Aussie wine I've had in a while that hasn't turned me off.
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Rark purple. Very interesting nose. Black cherry & licorice, blue fruit and something I cannot describe, puzzles me. Very sweet fruit, caramel, smoky, burnt. Great mid palate, but a bit short tonight, needed more time.
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Deep inky purple. Salty nose. I get licorice, black olives as a dominant note. Slightly raisiny. Bracing acids - feels smart, but missing some midtones.
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A year on, this wine just got more delicious! Deep purple in colour, I found plum, and tobacco characters on the nose. The palate is intense - baked blackberry and liquorice with a long smooth finish.
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Expressive nose with an interesting floral note that plays a supporting role. Nicely balanced on the palate, a refined shiraz with a distinct blueberry note. It also has what for me is a typical "young" Shiraz note that I can never quite explain. Bright, not quite menthol or eucalyptus, but that's the general direction. G called it medicinal, but that's not quite it either. I think this will gain more character with several years. Drink 2011 and beyond.
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Been a few months since I last cracked one of these, here it goes. Wine is a little cold. Deep dark Magenta. Something interesting on the nose, mushrooms, damp closet, damp leather, smoke, satanic Starbucks again, as previous TN.
This wines just coats the palate with changing flavors. Chocolate, the dark roast espresso, Not a big glycerin feel, old world in it's structure. Greta length, lingering finish. This is such and interesting wine. There is almost no fruit in here, but somehow massive flavor. Acid, Tannin, "fruit", oak all perfect balance. Can't wait to crack an Eligo.
Had these over more than 24 months, and it is only getting better and better with time, no fade at all.
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Virtual Community Tasting Event (VCTE) IV; 4/1/2009-5/7/2009 ((I've Been) All Around This World): Popped and poured a glass, then waited three hours. COLOR: Dark purple, muddy. A little sediment in the neck of the bottle. NOSE: Leather and tar with dark fruits and a hint of menthol that faded with time. Nothing special really. Nice, but not special. TASTE: Wow - this was a different wine after 3 hours. Coffee, chocolate, plums. Very smooth. Tannins and acidity were well matched. The finish went on forever - okay about 45 sceonds. OVERALL: This was a great wine. A short decant or aeration is imperative. Fantastic by itself or with food, something rich I think. (3+13+18+8)
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Wow, was impressed. Had heard this had faded a little with time but this was lovely and just what the weekend's craving for an Aussie Shiraz needed.
Dark and lush; blackberry, victoria plums, chocolate. Palate is a little extracted but in a good way - not overly extracted - it has a level of fruit and tannins which are well balanced by decent acidity. Finish is OK, not quite upto the rest of the wine but this was good. Will see how the 2006 performs in the CT forum on-line tasting but if it's as good as this I'd like more.
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Dark. Huge sweet fruit nose. <assive structure, acid, silky tannins behind steroid type blueberries...
Mouth coating, layers & waves of more fruit, tar, but not overdone or too extracted. Matched well with lamb rack, opened to celebrate securing 6 pax of the Elgio....
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Have gradually reduced my ratings on this wine since I first enjoyed it several years ago. As is typical with many, many Aussie Shiraz it is a good wine, but one that is failing to stand up with even a few years of age.
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Popped and aerated for about 4-5 hours. Deep, almost veering on inky, purple hue. Aromas of black fruits, loam, earth, and a touch of spice. Medium-plus body with good concentration. Fruit really coats the palate, blackberry liqueur, raspberry, even a touch of citrus (ruby red grapefruit?). The loamy quality really stands out and adds complexity to the fruit and spice; the purity of which is outstanding. This is a Shiraz for those who do not enjoy overdone oak but are rather looking for a more pure expression of Australian terrior. Still drinking like a baby, this is also one for the cellar. Just great Shiraz.
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My palate has shifted since my last two bottles, but this smells like Northern Rhone. Honey ham, beef blood and meat. The tell-tale is the sweet red fruit - but it's not blowsy or simple. Very nice bottle for the price.
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This was a deep and dark monster in the glass with a purple color that almost had the look of blood in the glass. It was thick in the mouth and the oak was so dominant on the nose that caramel was the overwhelming scent for me then black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, dark chocolate, spice, with just a hint of pipe tobacco,. There are a TON of people that will LOVE this wine...sadly, I am not one of them. A typical Aussie shiraz that is burly and over the top with a strong caramel finish. This wasn't my style of wine...but I could see this settling into something more in another 3-5 years....If you have only one...I would wait right now...it's just another Shiraz. It has potential in a few years....i think. If you have only one bottle and like the fruit-bomb styled wines...I think you'll be very pleased with this wine.
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Grenache Tasting (Brentwood, CA): Accidently bring the wrong wine to the tasting -- thought it was the Plexus. In any case, here is my note: Concentrated notes of of vanilla-laced plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, and earth. Very balance for an Aussie Shiraz. Did not spend too much time with it, however, as I was at a Grenache tasting.
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i continue to really enjoy this big dark fruity duvals, sweet fruit on the nose and on the mouth, very round, very long..should have bought more of these as they drink well young and i imagine will get better with some time
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Deep purple in colour this wine shows dark berry fruit aromas, cigar box characters and warm alcohol on the nose. The palate is rich and full. Deep red and black fruit, intense liquorice and an elegant creamy finish.
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Opaque ruby, narrow rim; tight cool dark mentholated fruit, dusty coffee on the nose; opens out richly through the palate into a long blackberry(?) and vanilla finish. Smooth tannins. Seamless. Gorgeous!
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Deep purple color. Fresh spring field on the nose. Sweet, complex and creamy mouthfeel. Fruit forward but not candied: strawberry, blackberry, lead, and lime. Not super complex but all in balance. A nice blend to accompany steaks. Lingering berry finish goes on for 20 seconds.
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Got better with time as nice herbal/menthol element came out adding complexity and interest but a big wine a bit out of balance and alcoholic for my taste
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In this glass this wine shows a deep purple centre, with cherry edges. The nose initally shows sliced apple and citrus characters, but then goes on to release dark berry fruit aromas, oak and a little alcohol. The palate is mouth filling and delicious. Liquorice, blackberry tar and vanilla. Rich, full and getting smoother!
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Drunk at Hawksmoor with steak-popped and poured, sweet vanilla nose with an edge of mocha or coffe cream, real fruity sweet nose. less alcholoic than expected. smooth and balanced, just stayed that way for 3 hours, lovely drink, should get better and better
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Absolutely delicious. It really started to become great as we finished the bottle. Give it 2 years and this bottle of wine will be an absolute stunner. It is extremely elegant for an Aussie Shiraz and veers away from the tendency for tons of sugar and no complexity. The score is indicative of where the wine was when we drank it and I fully expect it to be a 94-95 pointer when it hits its stride. This is an awesome bottle of wine.
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Same as the first bottle, though the nose on this bottle was showing more. Had that nice smoky oak but not strong with black fruits on the palate. Structure and body are excellent.
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Decanted one hour. A nicely balanced, fruit forward wine with flavors of currants, blackberry and cassis with enough acidity to balance out the big fruit on the full bodied profile. A nice 35-40 second finish of dark fruit, oak, and smoke that makes me think of N. Rhones on steroids. What an Australian wine should be, a controlled and balanced ripe wine that still maintains a sense of elegance.
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Popped and poured. This wine is blurring the line between Rhone and Australia. The nose evolved over dinner from earthy/mineral notes to pure blackberry and crème de cassis. Beautiful structure, tasty dark fruits and silky tannins rounded out the palate. I wish more producers in Australia would make Shiraz in this more Rhone like “controlled” style.
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Drank over three days. Interesting. This has scorched earth aromas and flavors that make it unique among the Barossa crowd, but it still shows itself as distinctively Australian. A pure core of blackberry fruit is in there, under layers and layers of currant and roasted herb, bitter chocolate, espresso grounds, and brown spices. I think this is high in intellectual intrigue, but it's not generous in hedonistic delights. It ought to have a long long life, so time will tell....
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TWATS - Big Bold BBQ Wines (Castle De' Bosher): Satanic, fresh ground coca, like walking into Starbucks. Young. Great. Fresh up front with fine tannins, old world Rhone like nose, lovely, woody smoke, almost French like. WOTN#1
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Double decanted about an hour before tasting and then drunk over about 3 hours. Light sediment in the bottle. Deep, opaque black-purple color you get in Aust. shiraz. Getting the cocoa nose with faint black cherries others have commented on. Great black fruit flavors. The 14.5% alch does give it a slight medicinal tinge, but no heat I can detect on the finish due to the deep fruit flavors that coat the mouth and linger for some time. Seems to be best about 3 hours after opening, more round in the mouth . There is good acidity, keeping it refreashing, not flabby like so many lesser priced Aust shirazes. Moderate tannins too. The acidity, tannins and the finish make me think it will last for a while in the cellar.
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John Duval....Grange wine maker. Very good wine, but I have to say I am abit disapointed. It is quite tannic to give higher score now. There is bouquet of dark plum, blackberries, cassis, and violet, exotic perfume. Still abit closed but smell is better than mouth. Palate is a little acidic but same time it is quite sour and smooth. It has Savoury finish with hint of spice. It has long pleasant finish. Had this in two nite and second night was considerably better with more approchable tannins, but still abit tannic. Very not penfold like wine, I guess due to use of French oak. If you have this bottle at home, keep it for long time! It could be a blockbuster wine in years to come!
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Gaining. Cracked the case with one, then another for a Garvies HK anniversary but that died, so one more to him. Yummy... plush, deep wine with nice finish. Still seems that it will improve but great now.
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A great wine from John Duval, however it needs a few more years in the cellar to develop. The nose is quite closed, but is beginning to show varietal fruit characters and a hit of wood. The palate is deep, dark and dense with rich berry fruit and exceptional concentration.
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Nose of cocoa powder, coffee, red raspberry with a slight earthen background. Cloudy purple redish color, medium weight, alcohol is only slightly noticeable. Beautiful tannic structure flows into a long sweet finish with a touch of pepper. Flavors of chocolate covered raspberry.
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OZ BYO Night (Providores and Tapas Room): Another wine i thought was going to be the start of my OZ headache but less alcohol than i thought at 13.5%. Purple color in the glass, again sweet vanill and fruit smell with a touch of cinnamon i thought.also a good whiff of black fruits on th enose. in the mouth it was supple yet a very full mouth of black fruits, casis and coffee. very well balanced and smooth. i think this one will also get better over next half dozen years. it was my second favorite wine of the night and i bought a case the next day
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Double decanted in afternoon. Rich sweet tannins. I don't know which is better his Aussie wines or Washington's Sequel. They are both delicious. What an accomplished winemaker.
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Beautiful deep dark purple, legs in the glass that hang. The nose is subtle earthy, almost French. Not at all An aussie fruit bomb, not even aussie in it's design. The black/bueberry peppery fruit on the mouthy is earthy, deep finish, but still closed?, with some tannic finish that says lay me down to sleep. Hard to tell where this going to go, either in the 90"s in five years, or a quick drinker. Jury out for me. Vacumed the next bottle for a second night, complexity even better, fruit bit more alive, mid palate light with a fruity long finish. This wine making is different in a good way.
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Amazing Aussie Tasting- 38 Wines (Binny's, Schaumburg, IL (NW Suburbs - Chicago)): Exceptional wine with a heavenly nose of plum, blackberry, spice, violets, eucalyptus and pepper. Lush and round in the mouth, with exquisite layers of flavors. Unbeliveable balance, depth and complexity. For $30 this is a world class steal. 35+ second finish that keeps on lingering. If you can find this wine, you are in for a treat.
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Delicious. Medium bodied, easy drinking sweet creme brulee' with that burnt sugar and vanilla taste intermixed with plum, red raspberry laced with camphor on the long smooth finish.
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Wow. Deep and dark purple, with the color even showing up in the legs as I swirled. Decanted and after 45 mins, gorgeous nose of cinnamon, vanilla, dark berry and maybe a touch of pepper (but def relegated to the background). This just explodes mid-palate like one of those gums you had as a kid - where the "juice" inside the gum just heightened the flavors. Dark berries, some vanilla and delicious baking spices on the palate, with a sexy, lithe finish that lingers. Just a knockout wine.
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After an evening of weak Pinots and overly sweet Vouvreys, I moved to the refuge of an Auzzie Shiraz. What a relief. The Duval held its own after an evening of exotic flavors, placing my mind at ease that yes, there are exceptional wines still to be experienced.
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Decanted 4 hr’s. Floral and powerful nose of blue & black berries and smoke. Rich, deep, succulent blue & black berry flavors elegantly balanced with white pepper, smoky spice, some vanilla, a hint of violet and silky smooth, velveteen tannins. A consistent palate throughout with ample depth and acidity for a long life in the cellar.
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10/11/2021 - forceberry wrote: 93 Points
The first vintage ever of this wine. The purchased fruit is sourced from multiple old vineyards in Barossa valley. Fermented in old open-top oak fermentors and stainless steel tanks with a submerged cap. Aged in new (47%) and once, twice or three times used (53%) French oak barriques. 14,5% alcohol, 5,7 g/l acidity and pH 3,55.
Moderately deep, luminous and quite translucent black cherry color with an evolved maroon hue. Clean, fragrant and still relatively youthful nose with aromas of fresh forest fruits, some sweet blackberry marmalade and ripe blackcurrant tones, light meaty notes, a little bit of tomato puree, a perfumed hint of violets and a woody touch of toasty oak spice. The wine is clean, silky and harmonious on the palate with a medium-to-moderately full body and quite sunny yet still surprisingly fresh and quite youthful flavors ripe blackberries and crunchy cranberries, some toasty oak spice, a little bit of meaty umami, light floral notes of violets, a hint of allspice and a sweeter touch of boysenberry jam. Despite its obvious ripeness, the wine shows terrific sense of structure, all thanks to its high acidity and still pleasantly firm and moderately grippy medium tannins. The finish is spicy, somewhat grippy and quite youthful with long, rather dry flavors of peppery spice and more fragrant notes of allspice, some boysenberry tones, a little bit of meaty umami, light brambly notes of black raspberries, a sweeter hint of cherry juice and a toasty touch of caramel oak.
A very impressive, structured and harmonious Barossa Shiraz that shows wonderful freshness, purity and sense of structure for the style. In our tasting of mainly Barossa Shiraz from 1994 to 2006, this was probably the most youthful wine with probably the highest acidity, making it come across as much more balanced and harmonious in comparison - many of its peers came across as pretty flabby, tired or both. It's quite obvious that this wine must've been a bigger and oakier wine in its youth, but at the moment it feels the fruit has integrated the oak aromatics surprisingly well so that they don't really dominate the wine, but instead intermingle with the somewhat evolved yet not tertiary fruit flavors. Based on the freshness, relatively youthful overall character and quite impressive structure of the wine, I'd say there's still some way to go before this wine is at its plateau of maturity; it is drinking very nicely now, but I can imagine it will continue to improve nicely for at least a handful of years more. Fine stuff. Drink or keep.
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6/21/2020 - Lordswood wrote: 91 Points
On opening it tasted of red fruits and seemed to have disconcertingly high acidity. Tasted two hours later with barbecued Ibérico pork, it was the perfect match, with darker red fruits and a little chocolate coffee. I would recommend drinking up any remaining bottles as I don’t see it going anywhere from here...
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4/9/2020 - jmh st louis Likes this wine: 91 Points
Mild red fruit and medium body.
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4/23/2019 - bradfriedlander Likes this wine: 85 Points
Still fruity, but definitely near the end of its life. Needs almost 2 hours to open after decanting to get rid of the excess alcohol in the taste.
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11/23/2017 - roybivens Likes this wine:
Drink up.
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6/17/2017 - Lordswood wrote: 91 Points
From the start this comes across as a beautifully crafted wine. Dark fruits overlaid with vanilla, this is still quite young, and the dregs drank beautifully on the second day. Long, nicely balanced, it wears its alcohol well and never seems over-extracted. Try again in a couple of years, or drink now. I suspect it will be delicious for a while yet...
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2/26/2017 - bhouk wrote:
First things first, I am not generally in favor of non-fortified wines that clock in at 14.5% ABV. But 2004 Entity is awfully tender for a high alcohol wine. Chocolate covered raspberries, subtle spice and a highly polished silky texture. Really, this is incredible wine at this price.
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12/26/2015 - Frijole wrote:
dark plum red, medium clarity, slight brickish hue
Nose: berries, earth, tar, leather, chocolate, clove, vanilla, silver, marjoram, black pepper, oak
Pal: berries, earth, tar, leather, cola, vanilla, black pepper, clove, dark chocolate, pine, silver, juniper berries, marjoram, oak
Feel: medium, full
Finish: medium, long
TC8
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11/3/2015 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 90 Points
This one impressed me with it's out of the gate intensity, no need to decant, it's ready to drink! So drink up! Big fruit flavors, blackberries, raspberries, mostly. Spice brings up the rear as it opens up - in like 20 minutes from opening. It's acidity will keep it humming along all night, and in the bottle for another 2-5 years, I'm guessing. Did I mention this John Duval seems to know a thing or 3 about wine making. Well, if you've ever heard of Penfolds Grange, he IS Mr Penfolds Grange (or so I'm told) fyi.
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8/16/2015 - roybivens Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drinking very well - fully integrated. Consistent notes from last tasting. This bottle can go longer, but there is no need to hold it. Beautiful. Score [ 50 + 5 + 14 + 18 + 9 ] = 96
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5/19/2015 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 90 Points
This is SO interesting. John Duval made Penfolds Grange what it is today, having made it for a few decades. He also makes a Washington wine for Long Shadows that I'm way fond of. But this has it's own identity, feeling a bit more like a California Syrah (as opposed to a Barrossa style Shiraz, which it is). Lots of nice fruit, the red kind. At 11 years old it's still got spring in it's step. Not "over the top" - but solid.
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3/6/2015 - jimkay21 Does not like this wine: 80 Points
old and liquory. This bottle did not hold up well. Disappointed after the nice showing a few months ago
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2/10/2015 - roybivens Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is a very enjoyable wine. The tannins have had time to mellow and it is drinking very well now. That said, there is much more time left on this gem and additional years will undoubtedly improve it still. Score [ 50 + 5 + 14 + 18 + 9 ] = 96
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12/20/2014 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP with Cheese course.
The wine looks inky colored. The legs are slow. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, black currant (cassis), oak, black pepper and violet. The body is full. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.
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11/11/2014 - JerM wrote: 95 Points
(NullarborRoadhouse!) Rich, dark plum florals, bright violets, rich berry, elegant tall acidity. Dark honey, soy, soft silky tannins, wood spice, soft leather, velvety and yummy finish.
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7/4/2014 - tooch wrote: 85 Points
A toasty wine with lots of spice, oak, and dark fruits. The palate had a combination of dark spices, toasty oak, dark fruits and floral notes. Definitely has a sweet edge to it too.
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12/5/2013 - jimkay21 wrote: 91 Points
Holding up great, little sign of age. Fruit is mellow with dark tones, rich feel on the palate. Medium length finish. Really good
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12/29/2012 - jtcoolaidman wrote: 91 Points
Opened up nicely. Enjoyed it on a snow ynight home with my wife. All good, all around
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12/18/2012 - grafstrb Does not like this wine: 88 Points
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted non-blind over five hours on Day 1; and then tasted again on Day 2 --
NOSE: oaky; non-descript ripe purple fruits; clean; cassis; tarry black licorice; not complex.
BODY: black-violet color of great depth; medium-full to full bodied.
TASTE: oaky; ripe purple fruits; fruity; not leathery; adequate acidity; still primary --- doesn’t taste aged at all; sweet molasses/black licorice; creamy French oak; 5 hours in, a slightly smoky element has emerged; has, perhaps, aged to a primary-but-not-fresh stage of its life, and it’s not pretty; 14.5% alc. is well-hidden; little-to-zero tannin remains; drink in the near term? --- this does seem to be well-balanced, so maybe this could go longer – I don’t know. Day 2 was more of the same, with the oakiness standing-out more than any other characteristic. Overall, I was somewhat disappointed by this; I’ve been impressed with having tasted a few different vintages of this wine when each was newly-released, and I’ve always thought this could age well: this bottle has me re-thinking that opinion.
B: 50, 5, 11, 15, 7 = 88-
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10/18/2012 - excalibur26 wrote: 92 Points
Tasted by excalibur 26 First bottle I have opened of eight total that I own. Very youthful, with a dense color that belies a nearly nine year old wine. Open twenty minutes as I write this. Very jammy with a whole lot more going on then it can show right now. Blackberry, dark berry nose. Very smooth. Good tannins that are neither soft nor hard, good 'stuffing'. In no way 'hot' with the 14.5% alcohol. Definitely some licorice emerging along with hard to define spice. Will get better, I have no doubt. Much of what is 'hiding' in the background in the nose and the palate will emerge over the next four or five years. Should reach its peak in 2016-2020. How it will hold after that will be interesting to find out. But it could last to 2030 if well stored. All my bottles have excellent fill, no protruding corks. If I am right, and some can still be find in a few places, a worthwhile purchase even now. I rate it 92+
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5/13/2012 - vicewine wrote: 91 Points
Jammy, fruity, warm and spices. Age has rounded the edges but still a great example.
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5/9/2012 - bonedoc wrote: 90 Points
Surprisingly fresh cherry fruit and acidity, slight briny olive tapenade, buttery oak influence, full body. Not alot of complexity here, but a straightforward delicious drinker.
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4/1/2012 - leftylevi wrote: 88 Points
Quite an enjoyable wine. It was a P and P. Red in color, with somewhat of a muted nose. Overriding tasting profile was of blackberries/black raspberries with sweet tobacco and some leather. Did not discern much in the way of syrah's peppery/meaty/bloody profile. Tannins were in balance and not obtrusive and quite balanced. it also had some very juicy acidity to add backbone and had a medium finish. Overall, quite enjoyable.
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10/12/2011 - gordoyflaca wrote: 88 Points
appears well made, but not my style. Popped and poured, and was initially pleasantly surprised by the restraint: black raspberry and dried herbs. As it opened, however, it began to fall apart.
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8/13/2011 - prez wrote: 93 Points
Second bottle of night. Just as nice with strong balance and finish.
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8/13/2011 - prez wrote: 93 Points
Apricot on the nose. Good balance and finish.
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6/18/2011 - Rossibreck wrote: 93 Points
Dark and smoky, delightful after it warmed up
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2/26/2011 - ScottGoodwin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Texture is what strikes me most; so smooth and sily, it's almost odd how smooth. Creem berry pie (whatever that is). No pepper or spice or meat. No alcohol apparent at all and I was looking! Listed at 14.5%. Seemless. Just the tiniest amounts of earth, leather and coffee. slightly floral, perfomed nose. Day 2 - palate has filled out a mit but not changed. A very, very nice wine but not my idea of a typical Syrah. Decanted 2 hrs.
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12/28/2010 - amgryger wrote:
NY/NJ WLTV Offline at Anthony Davids (Anthony David's, Hoboken): A bit hot on the nose. Aromas of raisin, coffee and oak. Dark blue fruit on the palate. Full-bodied. Medium tannin and acid. Medium finish.
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12/12/2010 - alexc wrote: 89 Points
Keep a while longer. Brooding and heay at present
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10/18/2010 - jtinto wrote: 89 Points
Green notes more subdued on this bottle.
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10/5/2010 - herberto wrote: 86 Points
Huge, ripe and woody. Chocolaty and rich and big. Not super pleasant to me but I can see how some might like.
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8/29/2010 - KenYz wrote: 92 Points
3 hours after decanting, it was drinking well: huge but balanced, good fruit and roast game on the nose, dark fruit and some oak, then a lasting, lighter finish. Good in the cellar for at least another 10 years.
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7/27/2010 - jtinto wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured. This is a nice bottle of wine, but a couple of things knocked the score down for me. It seems a bit out of balance, and I couldn't get over the smell and taste of green stem. Drank over two days and noted day 2 showed significantly better.
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7/15/2010 - herberto wrote: 86 Points
Big, rich, and oaky. Not a style I like. If you do, this is a pretty well-executed example.
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7/14/2010 - gbm wrote: 92 Points
Wine and Cheese; 7/13/2010-7/14/2010: Similar to prior (4/3/09). This is just a huge wine. Very fruit forward and beautifully balanced. The acidity and the tannins are both strong, but not offensive. It completely overwhelmed all the stinky cheeses we were eating, except for the Stilton - with which I thought it paired nicely. Great wine. (4+13+17+8)
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5/31/2010 - corkscrews wrote: 92 Points
A nose of dark fruit and toast, dark opaque purple in color. This wine has gotten better with age, blackberry, plum, cassis, pepper, elegant for a big Shiraz. A special bottle of wine that would still be good years from now.
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4/25/2010 - rmcnees wrote: 92 Points
Medium bodied, easy drinking sweet creme brulee' with that burnt sugar and vanilla taste intermixed with plum, red raspberry laced with camphor on the long smooth finish.
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3/21/2010 - Acohen wrote: 92 Points
Big ripe dark fruit with a long smooth finish with licorice and dark berry
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2/27/2010 - Coupe 60 Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP at a function with friends last night. Had with appetizers and cheeses at the table. Very poor glassware (actually plastic cups) could not hide how good this wine was. Strong aroma of fruits, leading to a predominately blueberry and maybe some other red fruit on the palate, all fresh. Med + body, but a very soft easy drinking wine. Med acidity, great finish with maybe a slight hint of sweetness, even some of the non -winos at the table were asking me about it. While this was fruit driven, it wasn't the fake over the top fruit that you can sometimes find in Oz...This was one of the better wines I have had in a while and given better glassware, might even be a 93 pointer...Strongly recommend... I've had the 04 and the 05, and both have been great, I may have to search out whatever I can find.
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2/22/2010 - markjanes wrote: 81 Points
Kobe Burgers and New World Wines (Reno, NV): Deeply colored, ruby rim. On the nose plenty of vanilla and blueberry (some other mixed red and dark fruits)... hint of eukalyptol... still relatively primary. On the palate an awkward ascent with a flash of heat early... rich and sweet midpalate, very ripe and well integrated tannins on the finish... high ETOH. Wine a little out of balance on the soft side with ripeness of fruit, high ETOH, sweetness midpalate exceeded by coarse, added acidity. Decent length, good intensity of flavors, low to average complexity... really lacks finesse and has some textural issues... very good expression of place. I think with time the wine's textural issues will worsen so I would drink this up... for its style (40+ USD Barossa shiraz) I suppose this is a "good" wine but I don't really see the qpr here and neither will many other people who are more textural tasters.
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1/5/2010 - tplskylrk wrote: 92 Points
Just hard not to drink these as they lay around. So approchable, so yummy, so easy to drink.... Big, yet subtle, rich and smooth. Balanced, beautiful fruit. Ripe. Same TN's as previous bottles.
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12/27/2009 - Paul Lin wrote: 90 Points
Clean and subtle aromas of fresh blueberries, face powder, sandalwood, and vanilla bean. Intriguing on the palate, with nicely textured notes of Asian pickled plums, pomegranate, and red plums. Some drying tannins on the very long finish. A very well-made Shiraz that is both fruit forward and balanced.
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10/13/2009 - pgm wrote: 92 Points
A sophisticated wine, still giving the scorched earth I noted in my 2007 note, and pure blackberry fruit. Cocoa and spice on the finish.
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10/8/2009 - Vinomarcus wrote: 94 Points
This was a monster wine, loaded with ripe black fruits and licorice. I think more than a few people guessed Aussie, but this wasn't a spoofed wine, just big and very full on the mouth. Nothing overdone here at all and very pleasant. The first Aussie wine I've had in a while that hasn't turned me off.
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9/10/2009 - tplskylrk wrote: 91 Points
Rark purple. Very interesting nose. Black cherry & licorice, blue fruit and something I cannot describe, puzzles me. Very sweet fruit, caramel, smoky, burnt. Great mid palate, but a bit short tonight, needed more time.
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7/25/2009 - ljl203 wrote: 90 Points
Deep inky purple. Salty nose. I get licorice, black olives as a dominant note. Slightly raisiny. Bracing acids - feels smart, but missing some midtones.
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6/20/2009 - tplskylrk wrote: 92 Points
Same TN's. Just more resolved and more complex after 2 hours open. Yummy.
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6/9/2009 - jamieirving wrote: 90 Points
A year on, this wine just got more delicious! Deep purple in colour, I found plum, and tobacco characters on the nose. The palate is intense - baked blackberry and liquorice with a long smooth finish.
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6/5/2009 - vanpe003 wrote: 92 Points
Expressive nose with an interesting floral note that plays a supporting role. Nicely balanced on the palate, a refined shiraz with a distinct blueberry note. It also has what for me is a typical "young" Shiraz note that I can never quite explain. Bright, not quite menthol or eucalyptus, but that's the general direction. G called it medicinal, but that's not quite it either. I think this will gain more character with several years. Drink 2011 and beyond.
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5/23/2009 - vinole wrote: 92 Points
Consistent with previous note.
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5/10/2009 - tplskylrk wrote: 93 Points
Been a few months since I last cracked one of these, here it goes. Wine is a little cold. Deep dark Magenta. Something interesting on the nose, mushrooms, damp closet, damp leather, smoke, satanic Starbucks again, as previous TN.
This wines just coats the palate with changing flavors. Chocolate, the dark roast espresso, Not a big glycerin feel, old world in it's structure. Greta length, lingering finish. This is such and interesting wine. There is almost no fruit in here, but somehow massive flavor. Acid, Tannin, "fruit", oak all perfect balance. Can't wait to crack an Eligo.
Had these over more than 24 months, and it is only getting better and better with time, no fade at all.
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4/23/2009 - gbm wrote: 92 Points
Virtual Community Tasting Event (VCTE) IV; 4/1/2009-5/7/2009 ((I've Been) All Around This World): Popped and poured a glass, then waited three hours. COLOR: Dark purple, muddy. A little sediment in the neck of the bottle. NOSE: Leather and tar with dark fruits and a hint of menthol that faded with time. Nothing special really. Nice, but not special. TASTE: Wow - this was a different wine after 3 hours. Coffee, chocolate, plums. Very smooth. Tannins and acidity were well matched. The finish went on forever - okay about 45 sceonds. OVERALL: This was a great wine. A short decant or aeration is imperative. Fantastic by itself or with food, something rich I think. (3+13+18+8)
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4/12/2009 - Wrighty wrote: 93 Points
Wow, was impressed. Had heard this had faded a little with time but this was lovely and just what the weekend's craving for an Aussie Shiraz needed.
Dark and lush; blackberry, victoria plums, chocolate. Palate is a little extracted but in a good way - not overly extracted - it has a level of fruit and tannins which are well balanced by decent acidity. Finish is OK, not quite upto the rest of the wine but this was good. Will see how the 2006 performs in the CT forum on-line tasting but if it's as good as this I'd like more.
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3/23/2009 - waibeans wrote: 90 Points
nice dark fruit. jammy!
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3/20/2009 - Retil wrote: 96 Points
Subtle nose, very dark and a fabulous mouth feel with smooth tannins and a long finish. ? at its peak
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3/2/2009 - idrinkvino wrote: 91 Points
A refined shiraz that has settled a good bit since it's release.
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1/25/2009 - v2cruise wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit. Blueberry, blackberry with nice acidity. Somewhat heady nose, but not a detractor. A pleasureable drink! Deep color, still garnet edges.
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1/14/2009 - tplskylrk wrote: 92 Points
Dark. Huge sweet fruit nose. <assive structure, acid, silky tannins behind steroid type blueberries...
Mouth coating, layers & waves of more fruit, tar, but not overdone or too extracted. Matched well with lamb rack, opened to celebrate securing 6 pax of the Elgio....
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12/15/2008 - idrinkvino wrote: 91 Points
Have gradually reduced my ratings on this wine since I first enjoyed it several years ago. As is typical with many, many Aussie Shiraz it is a good wine, but one that is failing to stand up with even a few years of age.
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12/14/2008 - *Vine* wrote: 93 Points
Popped and aerated for about 4-5 hours. Deep, almost veering on inky, purple hue. Aromas of black fruits, loam, earth, and a touch of spice. Medium-plus body with good concentration. Fruit really coats the palate, blackberry liqueur, raspberry, even a touch of citrus (ruby red grapefruit?). The loamy quality really stands out and adds complexity to the fruit and spice; the purity of which is outstanding. This is a Shiraz for those who do not enjoy overdone oak but are rather looking for a more pure expression of Australian terrior. Still drinking like a baby, this is also one for the cellar. Just great Shiraz.
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10/10/2008 - spacewrangler wrote: 90 Points
My palate has shifted since my last two bottles, but this smells like Northern Rhone. Honey ham, beef blood and meat. The tell-tale is the sweet red fruit - but it's not blowsy or simple. Very nice bottle for the price.
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8/29/2008 - idrinkvino wrote: 92 Points
Deep with plenty of fruit backing, this wine has continued to develop character and layers several days after opening.
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6/23/2008 - Kirk Grant wrote:
This was a deep and dark monster in the glass with a purple color that almost had the look of blood in the glass. It was thick in the mouth and the oak was so dominant on the nose that caramel was the overwhelming scent for me then black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, dark chocolate, spice, with just a hint of pipe tobacco,. There are a TON of people that will LOVE this wine...sadly, I am not one of them. A typical Aussie shiraz that is burly and over the top with a strong caramel finish. This wasn't my style of wine...but I could see this settling into something more in another 3-5 years....If you have only one...I would wait right now...it's just another Shiraz. It has potential in a few years....i think. If you have only one bottle and like the fruit-bomb styled wines...I think you'll be very pleased with this wine.
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6/7/2008 - Paul Lin wrote: 91 Points
Grenache Tasting (Brentwood, CA): Accidently bring the wrong wine to the tasting -- thought it was the Plexus. In any case, here is my note: Concentrated notes of of vanilla-laced plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, and earth. Very balance for an Aussie Shiraz. Did not spend too much time with it, however, as I was at a Grenache tasting.
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5/25/2008 - reichken wrote: 92 Points
i continue to really enjoy this big dark fruity duvals, sweet fruit on the nose and on the mouth, very round, very long..should have bought more of these as they drink well young and i imagine will get better with some time
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5/20/2008 - jamieirving wrote: 89 Points
Deep purple in colour this wine shows dark berry fruit aromas, cigar box characters and warm alcohol on the nose. The palate is rich and full. Deep red and black fruit, intense liquorice and an elegant creamy finish.
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4/23/2008 - rob1869 wrote: 93 Points
Opaque ruby, narrow rim; tight cool dark mentholated fruit, dusty coffee on the nose; opens out richly through the palate into a long blackberry(?) and vanilla finish. Smooth tannins. Seamless. Gorgeous!
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4/6/2008 - ljl203 wrote: 92 Points
Deep purple color. Fresh spring field on the nose. Sweet, complex and creamy mouthfeel. Fruit forward but not candied: strawberry, blackberry, lead, and lime. Not super complex but all in balance. A nice blend to accompany steaks. Lingering berry finish goes on for 20 seconds.
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4/6/2008 - Riezin wrote:
Got better with time as nice herbal/menthol element came out adding complexity and interest but a big wine a bit out of balance and alcoholic for my taste
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4/3/2008 - texaswino wrote: 92 Points
Very nice Shiraz for the money. Fruity and big without being over the top. Needs some air to reveal its complexity. Still has firm tannins.
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2/28/2008 - jamieirving wrote: 91 Points
In this glass this wine shows a deep purple centre, with cherry edges. The nose initally shows sliced apple and citrus characters, but then goes on to release dark berry fruit aromas, oak and a little alcohol. The palate is mouth filling and delicious. Liquorice, blackberry tar and vanilla. Rich, full and getting smoother!
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2/2/2008 - reichken wrote: 91 Points
Drunk at Hawksmoor with steak-popped and poured, sweet vanilla nose with an edge of mocha or coffe cream, real fruity sweet nose. less alcholoic than expected. smooth and balanced, just stayed that way for 3 hours, lovely drink, should get better and better
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12/26/2007 - junglejuice wrote: 92 Points
Absolutely delicious. It really started to become great as we finished the bottle. Give it 2 years and this bottle of wine will be an absolute stunner. It is extremely elegant for an Aussie Shiraz and veers away from the tendency for tons of sugar and no complexity. The score is indicative of where the wine was when we drank it and I fully expect it to be a 94-95 pointer when it hits its stride. This is an awesome bottle of wine.
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12/24/2007 - spacewrangler wrote: 94 Points
Best shiraz I've tasted to date. So balanced, this feels like a powerful, ripe northern rhone. Lengthy finish and seamless.
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11/15/2007 - cmr wrote: 90 Points
Same as the first bottle, though the nose on this bottle was showing more. Had that nice smoky oak but not strong with black fruits on the palate. Structure and body are excellent.
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11/1/2007 - vinole wrote: 93 Points
Decanted one hour. A nicely balanced, fruit forward wine with flavors of currants, blackberry and cassis with enough acidity to balance out the big fruit on the full bodied profile. A nice 35-40 second finish of dark fruit, oak, and smoke that makes me think of N. Rhones on steroids. What an Australian wine should be, a controlled and balanced ripe wine that still maintains a sense of elegance.
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10/22/2007 - keelegl wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured. This wine is blurring the line between Rhone and Australia. The nose evolved over dinner from earthy/mineral notes to pure blackberry and crème de cassis. Beautiful structure, tasty dark fruits and silky tannins rounded out the palate. I wish more producers in Australia would make Shiraz in this more Rhone like “controlled” style.
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10/7/2007 - pgm wrote: 92 Points
Drank over three days. Interesting. This has scorched earth aromas and flavors that make it unique among the Barossa crowd, but it still shows itself as distinctively Australian. A pure core of blackberry fruit is in there, under layers and layers of currant and roasted herb, bitter chocolate, espresso grounds, and brown spices. I think this is high in intellectual intrigue, but it's not generous in hedonistic delights. It ought to have a long long life, so time will tell....
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9/22/2007 - Danny Joe wrote: 91 Points
Very good.
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9/17/2007 - ljl203 wrote: 92 Points
Very enjoyable. Dense purple fruit that has smoke, vanilla, coffee and a lingering finish.
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8/31/2007 - tplskylrk wrote:
TWATS - Big Bold BBQ Wines (Castle De' Bosher): Satanic, fresh ground coca, like walking into Starbucks. Young. Great. Fresh up front with fine tannins, old world Rhone like nose, lovely, woody smoke, almost French like. WOTN#1
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7/14/2007 - jimkay21 wrote: 92 Points
Double decanted about an hour before tasting and then drunk over about 3 hours. Light sediment in the bottle. Deep, opaque black-purple color you get in Aust. shiraz. Getting the cocoa nose with faint black cherries others have commented on. Great black fruit flavors. The 14.5% alch does give it a slight medicinal tinge, but no heat I can detect on the finish due to the deep fruit flavors that coat the mouth and linger for some time. Seems to be best about 3 hours after opening, more round in the mouth . There is good acidity, keeping it refreashing, not flabby like so many lesser priced Aust shirazes. Moderate tannins too. The acidity, tannins and the finish make me think it will last for a while in the cellar.
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6/9/2007 - groper1234 wrote: 91 Points
John Duval....Grange wine maker. Very good wine, but I have to say I am abit disapointed. It is quite tannic to give higher score now. There is bouquet of dark plum, blackberries, cassis, and violet, exotic perfume. Still abit closed but smell is better than mouth. Palate is a little acidic but same time it is quite sour and smooth. It has Savoury finish with hint of spice. It has long pleasant finish. Had this in two nite and second night was considerably better with more approchable tannins, but still abit tannic. Very not penfold like wine, I guess due to use of French oak. If you have this bottle at home, keep it for long time! It could be a blockbuster wine in years to come!
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5/24/2007 - tplskylrk wrote: 91 Points
Gaining. Cracked the case with one, then another for a Garvies HK anniversary but that died, so one more to him. Yummy... plush, deep wine with nice finish. Still seems that it will improve but great now.
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5/20/2007 - jamieirving wrote: 90 Points
A great wine from John Duval, however it needs a few more years in the cellar to develop. The nose is quite closed, but is beginning to show varietal fruit characters and a hit of wood. The palate is deep, dark and dense with rich berry fruit and exceptional concentration.
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5/18/2007 - LPskeleton wrote: 93 Points
Nose of cocoa powder, coffee, red raspberry with a slight earthen background. Cloudy purple redish color, medium weight, alcohol is only slightly noticeable. Beautiful tannic structure flows into a long sweet finish with a touch of pepper. Flavors of chocolate covered raspberry.
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4/24/2007 - reichken wrote: 91 Points
OZ BYO Night (Providores and Tapas Room): Another wine i thought was going to be the start of my OZ headache but less alcohol than i thought at 13.5%. Purple color in the glass, again sweet vanill and fruit smell with a touch of cinnamon i thought.also a good whiff of black fruits on th enose.
in the mouth it was supple yet a very full mouth of black fruits, casis and coffee. very well balanced and smooth. i think this one will also get better over next half dozen years. it was my second favorite wine of the night and i bought a case the next day
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3/15/2007 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Double decanted in afternoon. Rich sweet tannins. I don't know which is better his Aussie wines or Washington's Sequel. They are both delicious. What an accomplished winemaker.
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2/11/2007 - Mark wrote: flawed
Corked.
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2/2/2007 - tplskylrk wrote: 90 Points
Beautiful deep dark purple, legs in the glass that hang. The nose is subtle earthy, almost French. Not at all An aussie fruit bomb, not even aussie in it's design. The black/bueberry peppery fruit on the mouthy is earthy, deep finish, but still closed?, with some tannic finish that says lay me down to sleep. Hard to tell where this going to go, either in the 90"s in five years, or a quick drinker. Jury out for me. Vacumed the next bottle for a second night, complexity even better, fruit bit more alive, mid palate light with a fruity long finish. This wine making is different in a good way.
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1/20/2007 - GolferChris wrote: 95 Points
Amazing Aussie Tasting- 38 Wines (Binny's, Schaumburg, IL (NW Suburbs - Chicago)): Exceptional wine with a heavenly nose of plum, blackberry, spice, violets, eucalyptus and pepper. Lush and round in the mouth, with exquisite layers of flavors. Unbeliveable balance, depth and complexity. For $30 this is a world class steal. 35+ second finish that keeps on lingering. If you can find this wine, you are in for a treat.
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11/17/2006 - rmcnees wrote: 93 Points
Delicious. Medium bodied, easy drinking sweet creme brulee' with that burnt sugar and vanilla taste intermixed with plum, red raspberry laced with camphor on the long smooth finish.
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11/6/2006 - Frijole wrote:
inky dark black, slight ruby edges, no clarity
Nose: plum, pepper, chocolate, earth, oak, vegetal, black olive, blackberry, thyme
Pal: creme de cassis, poached plum and pears, blackberry, oak, touch olive, menthe, chocolate, pickled sourness
Feel: med/full/round
Finish: long
TC8 (almost a 9)
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10/18/2006 - spacewrangler wrote: 95 Points
Wow. Deep and dark purple, with the color even showing up in the legs as I swirled. Decanted and after 45 mins, gorgeous nose of cinnamon, vanilla, dark berry and maybe a touch of pepper (but def relegated to the background). This just explodes mid-palate like one of those gums you had as a kid - where the "juice" inside the gum just heightened the flavors. Dark berries, some vanilla and delicious baking spices on the palate, with a sexy, lithe finish that lingers. Just a knockout wine.
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9/30/2006 - idrinkvino wrote: 93 Points
After an evening of weak Pinots and overly sweet Vouvreys, I moved to the refuge of an Auzzie Shiraz. What a relief. The Duval held its own after an evening of exotic flavors, placing my mind at ease that yes, there are exceptional wines still to be experienced.
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4/15/2006 - GreenDrazi wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 4 hr’s. Floral and powerful nose of blue & black berries and smoke. Rich, deep, succulent blue & black berry flavors elegantly balanced with white pepper, smoky spice, some vanilla, a hint of violet and silky smooth, velveteen tannins. A consistent palate throughout with ample depth and acidity for a long life in the cellar.
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