Fragrant and full bouquet of preserved plums, figs and smoked hams surrounded by fresh capsicum and herbs. Rich and balanced palate echoing the nose with some sweetness of fruit in the polished mid-palate. Transitions to finish has a touch of power. Finish is spicy and somewhat alcoholic. At its peak now and will hold for a few more years if stored well. Drink up if you have a few bottles left.
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Fantastic! I suggest drinking soon if you are lucky enough to have one of these. I am stunned that Clarendon Hills is able to make these incredible wines that drink well young and age so majestically. When I decanted it the color was very bricked and I was afraid it was over the hill. The initial aroma was aged Bordeaux-like and flavor was smooth but one dimensional. Over the next few hours it developed and became increasingly complex. 2-3 hours in it was magical. Wish I had more - if you got em, drink em!
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FANTASTICALLY GORGEOUS. Fruit intense flavours, layered with choco, leather, beef gravy and gravel, cushioned by the most succulent, well tamed tannins that accentuated and prolonged the finish of the wine to ephemeral joy. Simply glorious, and no one was expecting this from this wine at this point. Marvelous.
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One of my favorites. However, while this is still drinking very well now, and improved throughout the evening, i do not see this improving with more age. Very plush with low acidity. Interesting nose.
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Brought this to a gathering with old ECA mates tonight.
This wine was lush, generous, oaky, tight upon opening and offered flavours of dark red fruits. The palate is smooth and elegant with velvety characteristics and chewy tannins. Reminded me of the Cono Sur 20 Barrels Merlot I had 2 years ago, without the smokiness.
This is an enjoyable wine on its own or when paired with meat dishes. At 9 years of age this wine is probably at its peak (or perhaps past its peak) already. Drink up.
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This was my third bottle, and I'm a little frustrated at how much air these have all required before they are drinkable. The strong green/vegetal funk on opening is overwhelming, and I'm finding I have to wait 24 hours to drink the wine. By that time, it is sliding slowly downhill. The first time, this was interesting, but it's starting to wear on me.
Dark, concentrated and smoky. Nose of violet liqueur, liquorice, dark chocolate and charred oak. Palate shows rich, sweet blueberry jam, chocolate and cherry. Strong, smooth tannins, but no real structure. Some tingly acid suggests blueberry pop rocks on the finish. When first opened, it was wonderfully sweet and smoky, if slightly closed. I thought it would need hours in the decanter, but it opened up quite quickly and actually started declining after an hour or two.
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Exquisite wine. Color entices you with its rich deep blueberry hue. The nose is fantastic as it suggests very fresh ripe strawberries alongside a hint of cedar, tobacco and mint. It boasts a lovely body and explodes in your mouth filling you with a wonderful density and giving way to ripe strawberries, blueberries and tantalizing tannins which surround you as it ends long and smooth. It is nothing short of OUTSTANDING!
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The wine started well and then improved a little with air. The rating reflects where it was late in the meal. I have been impressed with the Clarendon wines I have tasted.
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Same commentary as others regarding the unique nose - as best I can describe it is like wet grass that's been sitting in a compost pile for a week. Threw me at first, but my nose has adjusted and the wine is velvety smooth and has mild fruit and smokiness that we really enjoyed. Didn't need food - pleasurable on its own.
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If I didn't know this was a Merlot I would have liked it more. Not much to add from the other comments. Earthy, spicy, big wine that deserves a rich meal.
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Not your traditional Merlot. A little too much heat for a bottle at this price point. Interesting nose. Not fruit, more like vegetation. Overall nice but not memorable.
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unique tasting merlot. a lot of earth on the nose and not a lot of fruit. i get some of the vegetation that others mentioned. stayed pretty consistent over the evening.
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A great pickup from WTSO. As others have noted, a strange petrol/rotting meat nose that is a major put off at first. It blows off and you are left with orders of earth, funk, and wet stone. Tastes of plum, earth, cedar, and a touch of blueberry. Yes,it is heavy handed, but a very interesting combo of flavors and a steal at $25.
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Needed a couple hours to blow off a funky vegetable odor (though some remained throughout the night). But underneath that funky odor was a strong fruit smell too. On the palate, lots of smoke, blackberry and sometime strawberry, cedar. It was a little hot at times. Really unusual wine, not like any I've had before -- glad I have 3 more.
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Three of us all said 93. Very unique nose, with a little funk. Very unique taste as well, with a different kind of funk. Extremely balanced, lots of fruit. Don't really know what else to say, if you see this, get it.
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This is my first bottle of this wine in any vintage. Up opening, there was evidence that the wine had climbed part y up the cork, but not to the top so I have to wonder about possible heat exposure. Having said that, this is a massive merlot. I wouldn't have guessed a merlot. Definitely Aussie. Nearly opaque in color. A strong whiff of soy sauce to go along with the spice and dark, heavily ripened fruit. Didn't get much vegetable or mint in this, but maybe that's due to age or possible heat exposure. Reminds me a little of the mollydooker merlots. Overall, a fine wine for the style, but lacking in subtlety. My tastest are moving away from these explosive saturated wines. Still, likely to be a party pleaser for those less interested in wine detail.
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Came together and achieved this score only after about 3 hours. Amazing nose and initial palate of black fruit and anise, but thin/short finish, though improved with time.
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Interesting Merlot from down under. Decanted 3 hours, lots of dark fruit, black currant with blood and iron, plus a slight vegetal or herbal hint. Well balanced, plush mouthfeel, savory. I enjoyed this wine but if tasted blind I probably would not of guessed Merlot.
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This was the youngest wine of the evening and drunk last, following two much drier cabernets from California. It really seemed to highlight the fruit, mouthfeel, and texture of this wine. As an 05 it isn't a fruit bomb, but there is incredible purity of fruit with incredibly soft tannins. I continue to find that these Australian wines improve tremendously with age.
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Fruit leaning more towards blackberry this time around, with the chocolate there and that vegetal flavor finally identified as steamed artichoke. Good concentration, mid-length finish. My last, unfortunately.
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Solid but undistinguished. Deep dark currant / cherry aromas with hints of smoke and earth. Plush and round in the mouth with fine grained texture, but not enough layers. Backed with savory acidity. Medium finish.
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A big, classy Merlot. Black currant, black cherry, leather and creamy cocoa fill your mouth. There's something vegetal in there as well that's just slightly out of character with the wine initially, but it blows off with some air. Medium acidity, good tannins. Thoroughly enjoyed this bottle.
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An extremely herbal wine, and definitely not for everyone. Piine, mint and sage mix with the fruit, leading to a medium-long finish. The fruit character is a bit difficult to pin down and hard to blind-taste, but drinks very well on its own. I wouldn't pair this with food as the pine/herb notes will overpower most dishes.
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Plush, intense and vivid in flavor. Aromatic with herbal veggie soup bouquet; cherry and currant front palate with subtle chocolate-tinged oak note finish.
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12/23/2020 - Psdycp wrote: 92 Points
Fragrant and full bouquet of preserved plums, figs and smoked hams surrounded by fresh capsicum and herbs. Rich and balanced palate echoing the nose with some sweetness of fruit in the polished mid-palate. Transitions to finish has a touch of power. Finish is spicy and somewhat alcoholic. At its peak now and will hold for a few more years if stored well. Drink up if you have a few bottles left.
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4/17/2020 - jmh st louis Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious balanced black fruit, anise, and allspice with medium long finish. In a great window with some time left.
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2/16/2019 - kdregister wrote: 94 Points
Fantastic! I suggest drinking soon if you are lucky enough to have one of these. I am stunned that Clarendon Hills is able to make these incredible wines that drink well young and age so majestically. When I decanted it the color was very bricked and I was afraid it was over the hill. The initial aroma was aged Bordeaux-like and flavor was smooth but one dimensional. Over the next few hours it developed and became increasingly complex. 2-3 hours in it was magical. Wish I had more - if you got em, drink em!
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7/1/2018 - Artmount Likes this wine: 91 Points
Strong Like Shiraz
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4/23/2016 - bengti Likes this wine: 97 Points
FANTASTICALLY GORGEOUS. Fruit intense flavours, layered with choco, leather, beef gravy and gravel, cushioned by the most succulent, well tamed tannins that accentuated and prolonged the finish of the wine to ephemeral joy. Simply glorious, and no one was expecting this from this wine at this point. Marvelous.
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11/14/2015 - JHaslam Likes this wine: 92 Points
Needed about 1.5 hours to really open up
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12/20/2014 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 91 Points
Exceeding my expectations and quite a bit of life left.
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7/6/2014 - berko wrote: 90 Points
Very fruit forward without much to keep it in balance. Also fairly hot. Strangely, it's better than one would expect given that description.
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5/25/2014 - Dar3 wrote: 94 Points
One of my favorites. However, while this is still drinking very well now, and improved throughout the evening, i do not see this improving with more age. Very plush with low acidity. Interesting nose.
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2/22/2014 - stayhappy21 wrote: 90 Points
Brought this to a gathering with old ECA mates tonight.
This wine was lush, generous, oaky, tight upon opening and offered flavours of dark red fruits. The palate is smooth and elegant with velvety characteristics and chewy tannins. Reminded me of the Cono Sur 20 Barrels Merlot I had 2 years ago, without the smokiness.
This is an enjoyable wine on its own or when paired with meat dishes. At 9 years of age this wine is probably at its peak (or perhaps past its peak) already. Drink up.
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1/18/2014 - CamWheeler wrote: flawed
Annual Riesling Tasting 2014: Stewed. Probably cooked.
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8/29/2013 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 92 Points
consistent with notes of 5/25/2012. Love the grilled meat and dark berry interplay
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8/9/2013 - Quarked wrote:
This was my third bottle, and I'm a little frustrated at how much air these have all required before they are drinkable. The strong green/vegetal funk on opening is overwhelming, and I'm finding I have to wait 24 hours to drink the wine. By that time, it is sliding slowly downhill. The first time, this was interesting, but it's starting to wear on me.
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6/26/2013 - Drinking Trees wrote: 93 Points
Dark, concentrated and smoky. Nose of violet liqueur, liquorice, dark chocolate and charred oak. Palate shows rich, sweet blueberry jam, chocolate and cherry. Strong, smooth tannins, but no real structure. Some tingly acid suggests blueberry pop rocks on the finish. When first opened, it was wonderfully sweet and smoky, if slightly closed. I thought it would need hours in the decanter, but it opened up quite quickly and actually started declining after an hour or two.
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3/14/2013 - Wine Nut wrote: 94 Points
Exquisite wine. Color entices you with its rich deep blueberry hue. The nose is fantastic as it suggests very fresh ripe strawberries alongside a hint of cedar, tobacco and mint. It boasts a lovely body and explodes in your mouth filling you with a wonderful density and giving way to ripe strawberries, blueberries and tantalizing tannins which surround you as it ends long and smooth. It is nothing short of OUTSTANDING!
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1/25/2013 - GARDEN Likes this wine: 93 Points
The wine started well and then improved a little with air. The rating reflects where it was late in the meal. I have been impressed with the Clarendon wines I have tasted.
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1/20/2013 - JCAlvarez wrote: 93 Points
Spank me twice two times good.
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1/6/2013 - GARDEN Likes this wine: 92 Points
As noted by others, this does not exhibit a typical Merlot profile. However, it is a classy wine and drinking well at present.
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11/23/2012 - mgl wrote: 89 Points
Still good but starting to go.
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10/20/2012 - Iceman611 wrote: 94 Points
2nd day richer silkier and smoother. With 4 year aged Gouda this wine seems flawless.
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9/29/2012 - IconeWino wrote: 92 Points
Drinking even better now. See previous notes - although a little less raw meat now, and more fruit forward.
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9/19/2012 - mikevince wrote: 91 Points
Same commentary as others regarding the unique nose - as best I can describe it is like wet grass that's been sitting in a compost pile for a week. Threw me at first, but my nose has adjusted and the wine is velvety smooth and has mild fruit and smokiness that we really enjoyed. Didn't need food - pleasurable on its own.
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8/27/2012 - Chops wrote: 91 Points
If I didn't know this was a Merlot I would have liked it more. Not much to add from the other comments. Earthy, spicy, big wine that deserves a rich meal.
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7/15/2012 - sayward wrote: 92 Points
dark fruit and a very smooth finish. I liked it a lot more the second time around.
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7/4/2012 - absolutvodka wrote: 89 Points
Not your traditional Merlot. A little too much heat for a bottle at this price point. Interesting nose. Not fruit, more like vegetation. Overall nice but not memorable.
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6/19/2012 - danielbleier wrote: 93 Points
consistent with notes of 5/25/2012
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6/9/2012 - sayward wrote: 90 Points
unique tasting merlot. a lot of earth on the nose and not a lot of fruit. i get some of the vegetation that others mentioned. stayed pretty consistent over the evening.
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5/30/2012 - neurovino wrote: 89 Points
Over extracted and a bit too hot. The bones are there, but none of the suppleness I've come to expect and enjoy in a Merlot.
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5/30/2012 - HBG Likes this wine: 93 Points
Also a pickup from WTSO. Tawny brownish tint first pour. Delicious, velvet, black cherry. QPR best buy at $25. A pleasurable drink.
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5/25/2012 - danielbleier wrote: 93 Points
A great pickup from WTSO. As others have noted, a strange petrol/rotting meat nose that is a major put off at first. It blows off and you are left with orders of earth, funk, and wet stone. Tastes of plum, earth, cedar, and a touch of blueberry. Yes,it is heavy handed, but a very interesting combo of flavors and a steal at $25.
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5/24/2012 - IconeWino wrote: 91 Points
No way would I ever guess Merlot. Malbec maybe. So much going on here. Needs a few years, or massive decant for a proper review.
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5/23/2012 - Quarked wrote: 92 Points
Needed a couple hours to blow off a funky vegetable odor (though some remained throughout the night). But underneath that funky odor was a strong fruit smell too. On the palate, lots of smoke, blackberry and sometime strawberry, cedar. It was a little hot at times. Really unusual wine, not like any I've had before -- glad I have 3 more.
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5/22/2012 - Dar3 wrote: 93 Points
Three of us all said 93. Very unique nose, with a little funk. Very unique taste as well, with a different kind of funk. Extremely balanced, lots of fruit. Don't really know what else to say, if you see this, get it.
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5/19/2012 - neurovino wrote:
This is my first bottle of this wine in any vintage. Up opening, there was evidence that the wine had climbed part y up the cork, but not to the top so I have to wonder about possible heat exposure. Having said that, this is a massive merlot. I wouldn't have guessed a merlot. Definitely Aussie. Nearly opaque in color. A strong whiff of soy sauce to go along with the spice and dark, heavily ripened fruit. Didn't get much vegetable or mint in this, but maybe that's due to age or possible heat exposure. Reminds me a little of the mollydooker merlots. Overall, a fine wine for the style, but lacking in subtlety. My tastest are moving away from these explosive saturated wines. Still, likely to be a party pleaser for those less interested in wine detail.
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4/22/2012 - dlstrauss wrote: 93 Points
Came together and achieved this score only after about 3 hours. Amazing nose and initial palate of black fruit and anise, but thin/short finish, though improved with time.
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4/12/2012 - J2K wrote:
Interesting Merlot from down under. Decanted 3 hours, lots of dark fruit, black currant with blood and iron, plus a slight vegetal or herbal hint. Well balanced, plush mouthfeel, savory. I enjoyed this wine but if tasted blind I probably would not of guessed Merlot.
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3/24/2012 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was the youngest wine of the evening and drunk last, following two much drier cabernets from California. It really seemed to highlight the fruit, mouthfeel, and texture of this wine. As an 05 it isn't a fruit bomb, but there is incredible purity of fruit with incredibly soft tannins. I continue to find that these Australian wines improve tremendously with age.
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2/4/2012 - Leomania Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fruit leaning more towards blackberry this time around, with the chocolate there and that vegetal flavor finally identified as steamed artichoke. Good concentration, mid-length finish. My last, unfortunately.
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11/8/2011 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really quite young still, but delicious!
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9/9/2011 - dekay wrote: 91 Points
Solid but undistinguished. Deep dark currant / cherry aromas with hints of smoke and earth. Plush and round in the mouth with fine grained texture, but not enough layers. Backed with savory acidity. Medium finish.
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8/22/2011 - shellylowen wrote: 91 Points
Very good, medium body
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7/8/2011 - ravbik wrote: 93 Points
Big merlot with blueberry, jammy slight spice with herbal tones. Great qpr.
Gets better after decanting four hours
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6/18/2011 - CultCabKing wrote: 84 Points
HUGE black cherry fruit and BIG spice! Extra long peppery finish.
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5/19/2011 - Leomania Likes this wine: 93 Points
A big, classy Merlot. Black currant, black cherry, leather and creamy cocoa fill your mouth. There's something vegetal in there as well that's just slightly out of character with the wine initially, but it blows off with some air. Medium acidity, good tannins. Thoroughly enjoyed this bottle.
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12/5/2010 - monkeylug wrote: 94 Points
An extremely herbal wine, and definitely not for everyone. Piine, mint and sage mix with the fruit, leading to a medium-long finish. The fruit character is a bit difficult to pin down and hard to blind-taste, but drinks very well on its own. I wouldn't pair this with food as the pine/herb notes will overpower most dishes.
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1/27/2010 - jaredament wrote: 94 Points
Plush, intense and vivid in flavor. Aromatic with herbal veggie soup bouquet; cherry and currant front palate with subtle chocolate-tinged oak note finish.
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