Tasted both in the form of magnums. I've always found this to be quite an interesting wine. To be honest I was never a fan of Australian Shiraz, always thought that it's a little too heavy and on the sweet side for my palate. The Emigre I would say is also quite heavy and sweet, nevertheless I do believe that their advertised French influence in wine making made a difference. This Barossa Valley winery started off as a venture of the English wine maker Jonathan Maltus who made his name with Le Dome from St. Emilion. I believe he's no longer in charge of the estate now but certainly 2002 and 2003 I believe were his first 2 vintages. Despite only 1 year apart, the 02 had very strong notes of cinnamon, coffee and some spices, the 03 in comparison was much more fruit forward and more ripe (I believe this has something to do with the exceptionally hot weather in 03). Both wines are at 15.5% ABV (this high alcohol content seems to be a typical Shiraz thing) but I would consider this to be quite elegant for Barossa Valley. I liked both wines and they would make a good casual drink. Should work nicely with bbq meat or some of the heavier food.
Folks, I actually liked this wine when it was young. This Magnum had been properly stored, and was in perfect condition - full level, cork was clean, no faults, and great dark red colour. Nose was full of red and black fruit, an in the decanter, the black fruit started to show thru more with air.
The palate was too alcoholic and with a rather dry, tannic and slightly bitter aftertaste. Fruit showed aged Syrah characters typical of the Barossa - dark berries, a touch of licorice and pepper. Yet the wine lacks any sense of balance, freshness or complexity and I think I should have drunk it 10 years ago. The red fruit and spice I recalled from prior bottles had gone, with the wine being simply too high in alcohol (15.5%). Whilst a crust had been thrown, it was still quite tannic and slightly bitter at the end.
This was quite an expensive wine and I was very disappointed it had developed badly. Yet in 2021, I am finding high alcohol wines to be virtually always be underwhelming.
Much like another bottle from last year, this has lots of very ripe black fruit with some liqueur hints. Good density, but I think the ripeness isn't quite as exciting vs when it was fresh and more vibrant closer to release.
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Ripe plum, black cherry aromas with black pepper and anise. Similar fruit on palate, just as ripe, slightly mature and evolved. Good concentration, reasonably balanced, just a bit of heat protruding at the very end.
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I HAVE BEEN DRINKING THIS WINE EMIGRE 2002 FROM BAROSSA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. IT IS GETTING BETTER YEAR AFTER YEAR. IT IS DENSE, BALANCED WITH RED BERRIES TASTE WITH TANNIN IN HARMONY. DESERVE A SOLID 93.
IT WORKED WELL AS APERIVITIVE WITH BLUE CHEESE AND WITH GRILLED MEAT FOR DINNER. I WISH TO HAVE MORE THAN TWO BOTTLES REMAINNING..
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Notes of dark stewed figs, sandalwood, tar and spice. Plush mouthfeel - full, smooth, without rough edges - but like a worn easy chair, a bit past its prime, with less fruit and complexity, but still nicely textured and enjoyable. Moderate finish
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Deep rich lush fruit. Drinking well. Seemed to fade after 60-90 minutes. Enjoyable and not an overwhelming Aussie fruit bomb but certainly not old world.
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This one opened like a scotch. Tons of heat, burning down the throat. Thought this one was skunked. I opened the day after it arrived. I almost tossed it. I could taste a lot of fruit beneath the heat, so I aerated into the decanter. I am glad I did. It became drinkable in 30 minutes. Started to mellow by an hour. About two hours in it tasted of current, smoke, and almonds with an almost buttery finish. It changed little over the next hour. I am going to let my other bottle sit undisturbed for a few months before I try it.
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Big creamy alcoholic wine that's well integrated at this point. Butterscotch, raisin, smoke, glycerin, & spice. It overpowered the short ribs we paired it with - therefore leave this for a rare fatty steak, or perhaps dessert.
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In a dinner flight of Syrahs and Shirazes, this was the final, bridge-to-dessert wine. Slow-O'ed for an hour or so' Vintuired into a decanter, poured. Good concentrated dark fruit promised on the nose; on the palate, the berry flavors are overladen with saline, roasted plums and figs, and mocha. A good point in the meal for this one; it connected well with the Aussie Muscat that followed.
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2002 Colonial Emigre Barossa shiraz (RP95/WS92) 15.5%. Cab+G/S/M blend. Powerful smoke/creosote notes. Pretty port-like, but nonetheless a real pleasure to drink. Full-bodied, nice length. Color still great, should last for years, but will balance last? Should likely drink up my couple remaining bottles. RF93.
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these type of wines amaze me for the polarity of opinions...I would agree with a couple of the other reviews below as porty, raisny, hot, alchoholic, disjointed...not my style at all. amazing to me the high ratings this wine is given...I am clearly in the minority
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berry fruit. spice. viscous, butterscotch. the next bottle is going to be opened 3 hours prior and enjoyed near the end of a wet bbq dinner to enjoy with dessert. should last at least a few more years
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Port nose, rasins, burnt damson,then decanted after an hour still a very big nose, warm alcoholic hit then layers of berry fruit and spice, great length, bit of a fruit bomb but still enough complexity to intrigue. First bottle of a case taken from bond at Berry Bros. Looking forward to the rest!
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The nose on this wine was simply stunning. The flavor profile was all over the place and really caught me off guard. The palate seemed disappointing by comparison. Don't get me wrong, it was a very delicious wine, but following the amazing nose the palate seemed to be somewhat of a letdown.
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Amici's w/ P & S, Gorgeous dark purple hues, Nose jumped out of the glass, aromas of sweet blueberry, mint, spice, chocolate, texture was silky smooth with a long balanced finish. This wine will cellar for years, but drinking well now. Very much of a treat.
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Drank at Amici's w/ skm95t and Mrs. skm95t. You could smell the gorgeous, perfumed bouquet from a couple feet away! Blueberry, blackberry, and chocolate notes.
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very similiar to the 1st one i had. big with a wonderful feel on the palate of dark fruits, spice and a mocca touch with a long silky finish. i did notice after 5 hours the wine began lose it a little unlike the 1st bottle
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Wow! This wine will really show you what people mean by "great mouth feel." It simply explodes with flavor, completely coating your whole mouth. Perfumed, jammy bouquet of blackberry and raspberry. Long, harmonious finish. Glad I have three more bottles! (Note: Didn't decant, but pulled the cork at about 1pm and didn't start drinking until 6:45).
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this wine is huge. dark dark purpe in the glass. . after a 4 hour decant this wine was great. creamy blackberry and plum with dark silky chocalate and some spice in the background. the finish was long and full.
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Had some friends over for dinner served with slow roasted beef. Decanted for 3 hours. This is a huge wine your mouth is inundated with silky flavors of blackberries, licorice & blueberries. Truly massive with a chololate rasberry finish that keeps you wanting more and more. While the tannins are definately present they are in no way overpowering. It will be difficult to age this as long as it deserves. I have a tendency to be very dissapointed in general with Australia's wines. This wine was truly the exception and a tribute to the best that Australia can offer, in short it is the best Aussie I have had. Upon finishing this bottle I immediately called my store and bought 3 more.
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Tasting with winemaker. Unusual blend - GSM, Cabernet, kitchen sink. Huge nose of black and blue fruit with some excellent floral elements.Palate is also lots of big fruit, but balanced with pepper and spice. Long finish starts to show subtlety. This might really develop into a great wine in 5+ years.
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10/12/2022 - TWSA Likes this wine: 90 Points
Colonial Estate Emigre 2002 & 2003
Tasted both in the form of magnums. I've always found this to be quite an interesting wine. To be honest I was never a fan of Australian Shiraz, always thought that it's a little too heavy and on the sweet side for my palate. The Emigre I would say is also quite heavy and sweet, nevertheless I do believe that their advertised French influence in wine making made a difference. This Barossa Valley winery started off as a venture of the English wine maker Jonathan Maltus who made his name with Le Dome from St. Emilion. I believe he's no longer in charge of the estate now but certainly 2002 and 2003 I believe were his first 2 vintages. Despite only 1 year apart, the 02 had very strong notes of cinnamon, coffee and some spices, the 03 in comparison was much more fruit forward and more ripe (I believe this has something to do with the exceptionally hot weather in 03). Both wines are at 15.5% ABV (this high alcohol content seems to be a typical Shiraz thing) but I would consider this to be quite elegant for Barossa Valley. I liked both wines and they would make a good casual drink. Should work nicely with bbq meat or some of the heavier food.
Colonial Estate Emigre 2002 - 90 pts Drink now-2026.
Colonial Estate Emigre 2003 - 88 pts Drink now - 2030.
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12/27/2021 - Mark Dignam Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Folks, I actually liked this wine when it was young. This Magnum had been properly stored, and was in perfect condition - full level, cork was clean, no faults, and great dark red colour. Nose was full of red and black fruit, an in the decanter, the black fruit started to show thru more with air.
The palate was too alcoholic and with a rather dry, tannic and slightly bitter aftertaste. Fruit showed aged Syrah characters typical of the Barossa - dark berries, a touch of licorice and pepper. Yet the wine lacks any sense of balance, freshness or complexity and I think I should have drunk it 10 years ago. The red fruit and spice I recalled from prior bottles had gone, with the wine being simply too high in alcohol (15.5%). Whilst a crust had been thrown, it was still quite tannic and slightly bitter at the end.
This was quite an expensive wine and I was very disappointed it had developed badly. Yet in 2021, I am finding high alcohol wines to be virtually always be underwhelming.
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12/30/2018 - BradE wrote:
Opened by the kids. Riper and jammier than I like.
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12/15/2016 - firstgrowth Likes this wine: 89 Points
Started off as Robitussin & became very nice after an hour or so
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11/23/2014 - buckeye76 wrote: 94 Points
VERY RICH DEEP BERRY FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR WITH HINTS OF LICORICE, CHOCOLATE AND SPICE. NICE COMPLEXITY AND A LONG FINISH. IMPRESSIVE
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10/19/2014 - Burgundy Al wrote: 89 Points
Much like another bottle from last year, this has lots of very ripe black fruit with some liqueur hints. Good density, but I think the ripeness isn't quite as exciting vs when it was fresh and more vibrant closer to release.
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8/30/2014 - spectrumphoto wrote: 85 Points
Past its prime.... Still has love but its a bit Pinotage in qualities these days
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8/30/2013 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Ripe plum, black cherry aromas with black pepper and anise. Similar fruit on palate, just as ripe, slightly mature and evolved. Good concentration, reasonably balanced, just a bit of heat protruding at the very end.
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1/1/2013 - suarezd wrote: 85 Points
PnP. This is my third bottle in a year and they keep getting sweeter and less complex. I get raisins and rum-cake. For me these have ran their course.
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12/1/2012 - libero Likes this wine: 93 Points
I HAVE BEEN DRINKING THIS WINE EMIGRE 2002 FROM BAROSSA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. IT IS GETTING BETTER YEAR AFTER YEAR. IT IS DENSE, BALANCED WITH RED BERRIES TASTE WITH TANNIN IN HARMONY. DESERVE A SOLID 93.
IT WORKED WELL AS APERIVITIVE WITH BLUE CHEESE AND WITH GRILLED MEAT FOR DINNER. I WISH TO HAVE MORE THAN TWO BOTTLES REMAINNING..
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11/23/2012 - drinkwine2 wrote: 93 Points
Enjoyed with duck and stuffing. Still going strong. Double decanted. Thick, concentrated, almost port like, but not as concentrated as a noon.
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9/8/2012 - dekay Likes this wine: 92 Points
Notes of dark stewed figs, sandalwood, tar and spice. Plush mouthfeel - full, smooth, without rough edges - but like a worn easy chair, a bit past its prime, with less fruit and complexity, but still nicely textured and enjoyable. Moderate finish
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8/18/2012 - ogres3 wrote:
Still with lots of fruit. A bit much glycerin for me but seemed to dissipate with decanting. A very good wine.
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8/4/2012 - ogres3 wrote:
Deep rich lush fruit. Drinking well. Seemed to fade after 60-90 minutes. Enjoyable and not an overwhelming Aussie fruit bomb but certainly not old world.
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8/1/2012 - Jflawrence wrote: 90 Points
Again took a long time to open. It never opened as much as the other bottle. I think it may be passing its prime on some bottles.
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7/26/2012 - Jflawrence wrote: 92 Points
This one opened like a scotch. Tons of heat, burning down the throat. Thought this one was skunked. I opened the day after it arrived. I almost tossed it. I could taste a lot of fruit beneath the heat, so I aerated into the decanter. I am glad I did. It became drinkable in 30 minutes. Started to mellow by an hour. About two hours in it tasted of current, smoke, and almonds with an almost buttery finish. It changed little over the next hour. I am going to let my other bottle sit undisturbed for a few months before I try it.
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7/7/2012 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big creamy alcoholic wine that's well integrated at this point. Butterscotch, raisin, smoke, glycerin, & spice. It overpowered the short ribs we paired it with - therefore leave this for a rare fatty steak, or perhaps dessert.
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5/28/2012 - spectrumphoto wrote: 93 Points
Still a fun one...
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5/12/2012 - libero wrote: 92 Points
RV 92
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4/9/2012 - arthrovine wrote: 93 Points
Still a great finishing wine. I opened 3 hours prior to opening and it rocked. Still great the next day.
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4/8/2012 - libero wrote: 93 Points
A SOLID 93.
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2/25/2012 - prism wrote: 92 Points
In a dinner flight of Syrahs and Shirazes, this was the final, bridge-to-dessert wine. Slow-O'ed for an hour or so' Vintuired into a decanter, poured. Good concentrated dark fruit promised on the nose; on the palate, the berry flavors are overladen with saline, roasted plums and figs, and mocha. A good point in the meal for this one; it connected well with the Aussie Muscat that followed.
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9/7/2010 - ricko wrote: 93 Points
2002 Colonial Emigre Barossa shiraz (RP95/WS92) 15.5%. Cab+G/S/M blend. Powerful smoke/creosote notes. Pretty port-like, but nonetheless a real pleasure to drink. Full-bodied, nice length. Color still great, should last for years, but will balance last? Should likely drink up my couple remaining bottles. RF93.
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8/25/2010 - JBVino wrote:
these type of wines amaze me for the polarity of opinions...I would agree with a couple of the other reviews below as porty, raisny, hot, alchoholic, disjointed...not my style at all. amazing to me the high ratings this wine is given...I am clearly in the minority
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6/26/2010 - eastover wrote:
All three given the the LG Australia Wine Dinner 2010. Good/Very good - though not GREAT.
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4/10/2010 - arthrovine wrote: 93 Points
berry fruit. spice. viscous, butterscotch. the next bottle is going to be opened 3 hours prior and enjoyed near the end of a wet bbq dinner to enjoy with dessert. should last at least a few more years
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12/19/2009 - medicineman wrote: 94 Points
Port nose, rasins, burnt damson,then decanted after an hour still a very big nose, warm alcoholic hit then layers of berry fruit and spice, great length, bit of a fruit bomb but still enough complexity to intrigue. First bottle of a case taken from bond at Berry Bros. Looking forward to the rest!
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10/17/2009 - rdsboca wrote: 85 Points
Port like, raisiny. Best consumed wtih chocolate. Some hints of cocoa and coffee. Not my favorite style
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2/15/2009 - redderthanred wrote:
Decanted for about 5 hours.
Thought this one was strange (as was the last bottle)...port-like nose and palate...not sure if I care for this style.
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12/26/2008 - charbo wrote:
big and chewy not crazy about this style anymore but a wonderful wine
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11/29/2008 - ogres3 wrote:
very good - really high octane but with some glycerin. great with dark chocolate.
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10/25/2008 - redderthanred wrote:
Interesting wine, decanted for about an hour or so.
Nose is Port-like with raisins, pepper and slight mint.
Palate is of raisins and blueberry jam…very rich and with a long finish
Thought this would be more fruit forward…strange, almost Port-like in nose and palate....I would serve this with dessert instead of a meal.
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3/1/2008 - good old ludwig van wrote: 95 Points
Decanted about an hour before first glass, and it was singing. Fabulously rich bouquet of plum and chocolate.
Eucalyptus, dark chocolate . . . knee bucklingly good!
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2/17/2008 - junglejuice wrote: 91 Points
The nose on this wine was simply stunning. The flavor profile was all over the place and really caught me off guard. The palate seemed disappointing by comparison. Don't get me wrong, it was a very delicious wine, but following the amazing nose the palate seemed to be somewhat of a letdown.
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12/31/2007 - good old ludwig van wrote: 93 Points
Explosive plum bouquet.
Lots of cherry and plum, along with eucalyptus. Enough structure for aging, but drinking great now also.
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9/14/2007 - Bunbury wrote: 90 Points
Almost too jammy. Quite good overall, but something of a fruit bomb, which could probably be had a lower price.
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9/30/2006 - skm95t wrote: 93 Points
Amici's w/ P & S, Gorgeous dark purple hues, Nose jumped out of the glass, aromas of sweet blueberry, mint, spice, chocolate, texture was silky smooth with a long balanced finish. This wine will cellar for years, but drinking well now. Very much of a treat.
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9/29/2006 - good old ludwig van wrote: 94 Points
Drank at Amici's w/ skm95t and Mrs. skm95t. You could smell the gorgeous, perfumed bouquet from a couple feet away! Blueberry, blackberry, and chocolate notes.
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9/22/2006 - charbo wrote: 92 Points
very similiar to the 1st one i had. big with a wonderful feel on the palate of dark fruits, spice and a mocca touch with a long silky finish. i did notice after 5 hours the wine began lose it a little unlike the 1st bottle
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9/1/2006 - good old ludwig van wrote: 95 Points
Wow! This wine will really show you what people mean by "great mouth feel." It simply explodes with flavor, completely coating your whole mouth. Perfumed, jammy bouquet of blackberry and raspberry. Long, harmonious finish. Glad I have three more bottles! (Note: Didn't decant, but pulled the cork at about 1pm and didn't start drinking until 6:45).
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12/18/2005 - charbo wrote: 94 Points
this wine is huge. dark dark purpe in the glass. . after a 4 hour decant this wine was great. creamy blackberry and plum with dark silky chocalate and some spice in the background. the finish was long and full.
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10/20/2005 - Tarons wrote: 95 Points
Had some friends over for dinner served with slow roasted beef. Decanted for 3 hours. This is a huge wine your mouth is inundated with silky flavors of blackberries, licorice & blueberries. Truly massive with a chololate rasberry finish that keeps you wanting more and more. While the tannins are definately present they are in no way overpowering. It will be difficult to age this as long as it deserves. I have a tendency to be very dissapointed in general with Australia's wines. This wine was truly the exception and a tribute to the best that Australia can offer, in short it is the best Aussie I have had. Upon finishing this bottle I immediately called my store and bought 3 more.
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11/10/2004 - Burgundy Al wrote: 95 Points
Tasting with winemaker. Unusual blend - GSM, Cabernet, kitchen sink. Huge nose of black and blue fruit with some excellent floral elements.Palate is also lots of big fruit, but balanced with pepper and spice. Long finish starts to show subtlety. This might really develop into a great wine in 5+ years.
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