Pop & pour. Still in very good shape. Nose of black fruits and graphite. Medium body with plenty of red and black fruit and a touch of dark chocolate. Lovely tonight, but I can't see it getting any better. Drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The color has faded a bit, not nearly as dark as upon release. The aromas are also less expressive. Coffee, tar, brambley fruit, and coarse tannins. This was better when it was younger.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a wine that has to be consumed when you are in the mood for something big. I was last-night. The dark fruit was integrated, the wine was round and supple, the finish was warm, and not hot. Very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep garnet color. Blackberries, cherries, raspberries, and vanilla on the nose. Medium to full body with soft, ripe tannins and good acidity. Cassis, blueberries, blackberries, vanilla, and chocolate on the palate. Good length on the finish with the sweet fruit evolving into the vanilla and chocolate. Not bad, but I think earlier bottles have been better. This was my last bottle, but if I had more, I'd try to drink them in the next year and a half.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Super-ripe ... dripping with blueberry and fig jam, hints of spice and a rich chocolatey finish. This is a wine to be enjoyed for its pure over-the-top style. The 2003 vintage in Barossa was known for heat & ripeness and it shows in this Aussie Bordeaux-blend.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3rd and last bottle. Alot of oak...and fruit....both on the nose of palate. At times, this wine reminded me of a pinot noir. Lots of "grape" flavor in the mouth. My wife enjoyed it alot as she prefers the fruit forward wines. Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
After one oxidized bottle, this one still had the slightest brown edges, but seemed okay. Decanted about one hour. Deep purple color, brick at edges. Parker notes "creosote" which, for the first time, actually makes sense (irony - Leslie is off banning creosote for NY, so today's children will not recognize the smell in future cuvees). Also vanilla, fruit syrup. Medium to full bodied. Immediate sweetness quickly yields to lots of acidity. Long, citrusy finish with light, balanced,"puckery" tannins. Shiraz kept well in check by the Cab. Another bottle, two weeks later, was pop-and-pour, seemed bigger, more jammy and hot, typical over-the-top Australian shiraz than the last one. Score is for the decanted bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good stuff in here. Lots of fruit and a nice finish. I got berries, spice, and a hint of flower on the nose. The palate continued the berry theme. Could use a little more time to bring out some "age" with the fruit. Good value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Floral nose with blueberry and spice. Very fruit forward with great mouthfeel. Blueberry, vanilla, and hints of toasted oak. Great Australian Bordeaux blend
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
No decant. Ordered and drank at Kelly's birthday dinner at Bistro on Main. Impressive to me. Indications of a strong tannic backbone. It came across somewhat young and tight with several hints of 'good' things to come for the patient. Went well with the rare filet and chocolate cake. I'd rate this currently an 85 but with room to grow. - vcb
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark ruby color, nose offered full fruit, with spice and peppercorn on the taste. Mild finish. Went well with the peppercorn beef filets we ate with it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
An initial pop of alcohol on the nose yields to ripe berry, a hint of chocolate and perhaps little mint. The mouthfeel is viscous, coating the palette in bold, forward fruit which finishs with a nice bit of acidity and just enough tannins to keep it from being overly simple.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark purple in color. Nose reveals some blackberry, spice, plum, and a hint of funk. On the palate, an attack of brambly blackberry framed by reasonable acidity...a bit "hot" on the finish, but overall enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The proverbial Australian "fruit bomb." Very dark, almost black color. Didn't get the alcohol on the nose noted by others, which was a relief and a bit unexpected given listed alcohol level > 14%. Thick, almost viscous mouthfeel. This really coated the mouth nicely. Packed a punch of dark fruit, but actually was well-balanced, with some toasty oak and tannins. I wouldn't be surprised to see this settle down with more time. Nice QPR, but I've lost my taste for these sorts of wines as they just don't go great with food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Upon first taste, I think that I singed my nose on the alcohol. At 14.2 I was guessing closer to 16%. After about 15 minutes though that blew off. That with noticable oak and big fruit made me guess new world, and it was quickly diagnosed to be an aussie. Not as masserated and thick as other aussie shirazes in this price point though. I was quick to say a GSM. Nose of fresh blueberry and maybe some floral. Nice structure. Really starting to open up with strong tannins, dark fruit and a black peppercorn finish. Fun purchase by my wife to serve me blind!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A very nice nose of blueberry pie and spice, but not overwhelming like many Shiraz can be. The palate didn't live up to the promise of the nose, but somehow regained its character on the fruity, very pleasant finish. I'll wait a few months before I crack open another of these; hopefully some more time in the bottle will give the middle some flesh.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/15/2019 - tightlines&wine Likes this wine: 87 Points
Lost this in my reds. Bourdeaux like nose. Berry fruits. Soft mouthfeel. Somewhat sweet.Tad past its prime, but still nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2014 - stewartl Likes this wine: 91 Points
still tasting great. well-integrated. mulberry and some spice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2013 - kenv Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pop & pour. Still in very good shape. Nose of black fruits and graphite. Medium body with plenty of red and black fruit and a touch of dark chocolate. Lovely tonight, but I can't see it getting any better. Drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2010 - fr5ag7d wrote: 89 Points
quite good and a great deal
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2009 - hoos90 wrote: 87 Points
Appears to be reaching the end of its lifecycle. Drink soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/3/2009 - Roentgen Ray wrote: 89 Points
The color has faded a bit, not nearly as dark as upon release. The aromas are also less expressive. Coffee, tar, brambley fruit, and coarse tannins. This was better when it was younger.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/7/2008 - tskrueger wrote: 87 Points
Drinking very nice right now...Certainly not going to improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2008 - AndrewSica wrote: 86 Points
nose - big - jammy plum, cherry cough drop, tobacco,
Cherry, plum, dark fruit bomb - good acid structure and decent finish, heat on the backend but nothing offensive. A bit too over the top for my tastes
Note: This was tasted after being decanted for over 2 hours as I didn't start tasting when I expected to
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2008 - daCrusher wrote: 88 Points
still drinking well, nice concentration of fruit but, no a lot going on there.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2008 - Roentgen Ray wrote: 91 Points
This is a wine that has to be consumed when you are in the mood for something big. I was last-night. The dark fruit was integrated, the wine was round and supple, the finish was warm, and not hot. Very enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/4/2008 - GEMon wrote: 91 Points
Lots of jammy dark fruits with hints of spice, licorice, and chocolate on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2007 - herberto wrote: 91 Points
A bit soft but nice spicy fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2007 - cbbrown3 wrote: 88 Points
Deep garnet color. Blackberries, cherries, raspberries, and vanilla on the nose. Medium to full body with soft, ripe tannins and good acidity. Cassis, blueberries, blackberries, vanilla, and chocolate on the palate. Good length on the finish with the sweet fruit evolving into the vanilla and chocolate. Not bad, but I think earlier bottles have been better. This was my last bottle, but if I had more, I'd try to drink them in the next year and a half.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2007 - BigTarheel wrote: 88 Points
Super-ripe ... dripping with blueberry and fig jam, hints of spice and a rich chocolatey finish. This is a wine to be enjoyed for its pure over-the-top style. The 2003 vintage in Barossa was known for heat & ripeness and it shows in this Aussie Bordeaux-blend.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/23/2007 - BSteffes wrote: 86 Points
3rd and last bottle. Alot of oak...and fruit....both on the nose of palate. At times, this wine reminded me of a pinot noir. Lots of "grape" flavor in the mouth. My wife enjoyed it alot as she prefers the fruit forward wines. Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2007 - indiscriminate palate wrote: 87 Points
After one oxidized bottle, this one still had the slightest brown edges, but seemed okay. Decanted about one hour. Deep purple color, brick at edges. Parker notes "creosote" which, for the first time, actually makes sense (irony - Leslie is off banning creosote for NY, so today's children will not recognize the smell in future cuvees). Also vanilla, fruit syrup. Medium to full bodied. Immediate sweetness quickly yields to lots of acidity. Long, citrusy finish with light, balanced,"puckery" tannins. Shiraz kept well in check by the Cab. Another bottle, two weeks later, was pop-and-pour, seemed bigger, more jammy and hot, typical over-the-top Australian shiraz than the last one. Score is for the decanted bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2007 - indiscriminate palate wrote: flawed
Bummer. Opening another bottle...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2007 - SGates wrote: 87 Points
A fun, affordable, over the top barossa wine. Not quite as good as the shotfire shiraz, but well worth the $15 bucks.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2006 - sjt wrote: 88 Points
I liked this. Strong initial oak, but faded witd decanting and in the glass. Fairly thick, good red and black fruit, hint of chocolate. Nice bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2006 - BSteffes wrote: 89 Points
Good stuff in here. Lots of fruit and a nice finish. I got berries, spice, and a hint of flower on the nose. The palate continued the berry theme. Could use a little more time to bring out some "age" with the fruit. Good value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2006 - tckoonce wrote: 91 Points
Juicy, jammy, fruity - great value for a good quality drop.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/10/2006 - lewisrise wrote: 92 Points
Floral nose with blueberry and spice. Very fruit forward with great mouthfeel. Blueberry, vanilla, and hints of toasted oak. Great Australian Bordeaux blend
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2006 - DesMarteau wrote: 88 Points
Thick...rich...too much forward fruit and nothing else. Missing the nuances of the 2002.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2006 - photon wrote: 88 Points
Pleasant
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/20/2006 - herberto wrote: 86 Points
Deep purple red, nice fruit, loose structure. Not as impressive as last time I tasted it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2006 - bkbaird wrote: 85 Points
No decant. Ordered and drank at Kelly's birthday dinner at Bistro on Main. Impressive to me. Indications of a strong tannic backbone. It came across somewhat young and tight with several hints of 'good' things to come for the patient. Went well with the rare filet and chocolate cake. I'd rate this currently an 85 but with room to grow. - vcb
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2006 - herberto wrote: 90 Points
Yummy, jammy red fruit. Thought I was drinking the Shiraz.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/30/2005 - DblDoug wrote: 85 Points
Dark ruby color, nose offered full fruit, with spice and peppercorn on the taste. Mild finish. Went well with the peppercorn beef filets we ate with it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2005 - Michael Davis wrote: 87 Points
An initial pop of alcohol on the nose yields to ripe berry, a hint of chocolate and perhaps little mint. The mouthfeel is viscous, coating the palette in bold, forward fruit which finishs with a nice bit of acidity and just enough tannins to keep it from being overly simple.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2005 - Thilo wrote: 87 Points
Dark purple in color. Nose reveals some blackberry, spice, plum, and a hint of funk. On the palate, an attack of brambly blackberry framed by reasonable acidity...a bit "hot" on the finish, but overall enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2005 - juggernt wrote: 88 Points
Especially at the price point, this is good juice. Not as cloying or over-the-top as other Shiraz.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2005 - Tom E wrote: 88 Points
The proverbial Australian "fruit bomb." Very dark, almost black color. Didn't get the alcohol on the nose noted by others, which was a relief and a bit unexpected given listed alcohol level > 14%. Thick, almost viscous mouthfeel. This really coated the mouth nicely. Packed a punch of dark fruit, but actually was well-balanced, with some toasty oak and tannins. I wouldn't be surprised to see this settle down with more time. Nice QPR, but I've lost my taste for these sorts of wines as they just don't go great with food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2005 - burcusabrews wrote:
Upon first taste, I think that I singed my nose on the alcohol. At 14.2 I was guessing closer to 16%. After about 15 minutes though that blew off. That with noticable oak and big fruit made me guess new world, and it was quickly diagnosed to be an aussie. Not as masserated and thick as other aussie shirazes in this price point though. I was quick to say a GSM. Nose of fresh blueberry and maybe some floral. Nice structure. Really starting to open up with strong tannins, dark fruit and a black peppercorn finish. Fun purchase by my wife to serve me blind!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/12/2005 - juggernt wrote: 87 Points
A very nice nose of blueberry pie and spice, but not overwhelming like many Shiraz can be. The palate didn't live up to the promise of the nose, but somehow regained its character on the fruity, very pleasant finish. I'll wait a few months before I crack open another of these; hopefully some more time in the bottle will give the middle some flesh.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment