Spectacular! Thankfully, waited on the last couple bottles. Velvety texture, gobs of flavors, well integrated funk, super long lingering finish and just enough freshness to maintain composure. So worth the wait.
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Bought at the Sydney airport in May 2010. This was my first encounter with high-class Australian Syrah-wines; I have earlier stack with the Syrahs from the Northern Rhône valley. The new experience was very positive. The wine was full-bodied, very fruity, very intensive and soft, displaying very nice aromas and flavors of ripe dark fruits and berries. This wine is in a very nice phase at the moment. It was really worth ageing it for almost 10 years.
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Still quite vibrant dark purple colour. Nose suggests some depth and the palate confirms with nice layers of dark fruit flavour and some chocolate in there as well - quite closed initially but opened up over time - no rush with this wine maybe another 5 years
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A solid wine, however this lacked the smoothness of an excellent offering. Fruit was good however the aproach was tannic and choppy. A wine that may improve with further aging, but the wine just was on the brink of something more now. Should the fruit engage with the oak later this could be a real treat.
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The aroma of red fruits and leather don't match the deeper cherry flavors. Perhaps this wine is just complex. The highlight of this is the rich velvety mouth feel. I find this wine very pleasant for savoring alone, it does not need an accompaniment, it has everything necessary to stand alone, proud.
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This wine has several qualities that make a good wine. The acidity is good (though it largely masks the tannins), it is concentrated, the peppery qualities of syrah come through nicely, it is a dry wine, not an Aussie fruit bomb. This being said, I don't think any of these features are in harmony. The nose is pleasant, of dark fruit, earthy, similar to a young Gigondas. The wine hits the palate immediately up front but offers little on the mid palate and a short hot finish. The wine is over-oaked for my taste. The acid is very high. The wine may have needed more time to come together as many good qualities were present. The score is based on what might be instead of what was.
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Popped and poured through a vinturi, compared notes after sitting for an hour, the same.
Color: Deep almost opaque Garnet
Nose: Blackberry, Dried Plum, Violets, hint of ethanol/eucalyptus
Flavor: Ripe purple fruits upfront and continuing through the middle. Spices - white pepper and licorice the fruits and this all disolves into a plesant mochga carmel finish.
Feel: Medium to low acidity, barest hint of tannin.
Overall - smooth, deep, rich. Can be enjoyed on its own or with something mild. Can go well with deserts too I'd bet
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Dusty and blackfruit on the nose, and still some alcohol heat. Beautifully incorporated oak with subtle mellowing tannins. Chocolate and cherries...just bloody beautiful. Could still go aanother 5 years. An absolute crime that they have discontinued this wine! Eating with lamb racks and couldn't be better.
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Deep purple with a bit of brick hue on the rim. The aroma had ripe fruit, cedar and leather. The flavor is very big and a bit soft. The tannins were restrained and the acidity was enough to balance the fruit.
Great to drink by itself, a little too assertive to be a "food wine".
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Pretty dark magenta color with a clear ruby hue. Lighter in body than most Aussie reds. Initially a bit subdued on both the nose & the palate. Remained quite soft, but improved with air & temp. Add 2 points to the last glass. All told, for a Flagship McClaren Vale Shiraz, this was a little underwhelming. [14.5% abv.; $25.00].
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Top Aussies Wine Tasting, Cellier Wine Loft, Athens , Greece. Best value wine of the tasting by far. Very dark purple. complex nose with leather, smoke, blackberries, plums and anise. Mid-full bodied with soft tanins, opulent fruit and balancing acidity. Long finish. Has a long to go.
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Deep garnet, almost opaque, with blue hues on the rim. Intense and complex nose, smoky, mineral with graphite notes mostly. Floral, violets, ripe plums and sweet spices. Abundant red and black fruit. Very sweet flavours in the mouth which is full bodied with lots of ripe fruit. Very dense yet with balancing acidity. I have doubts nevertheless as to how it can match food being too sweet for my liking. Very well made and at a fair price for its quality, yet de gustibus...
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cellar door. Intense color, nose of ripe red fruit with olive notes. Balanced tannins and chewy fruit on palate lead to a long lingering finish. classic McLaren
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4/16/2021 - mtnbarry Likes this wine: 95 Points
Spectacular! Thankfully, waited on the last couple bottles. Velvety texture, gobs of flavors, well integrated funk, super long lingering finish and just enough freshness to maintain composure. So worth the wait.
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9/22/2019 - lkilpio Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bought at the Sydney airport in May 2010. This was my first encounter with high-class Australian Syrah-wines; I have earlier stack with the Syrahs from the Northern Rhône valley. The new experience was very positive. The wine was full-bodied, very fruity, very intensive and soft, displaying very nice aromas and flavors of ripe dark fruits and berries. This wine is in a very nice phase at the moment. It was really worth ageing it for almost 10 years.
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5/21/2016 - Salwilk Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still quite vibrant dark purple colour.
Nose suggests some depth and the palate confirms with nice layers of dark fruit flavour and some chocolate in there as well - quite closed initially but opened up over time - no rush with this wine maybe another 5 years
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2/26/2016 - Ranuka Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good
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8/1/2015 - BruceandVivian Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great wine smooth and velvety After 11 years in the cellar it was still a fantastic wine
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10/24/2014 - SeattlePaul Likes this wine: 90 Points
Inky, dark, rich. Delicious balance, and will turn your tongue 8 shades of midnight.
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12/16/2012 - kirschke wrote: 88 Points
Got better over the evening but really has no character to set it apart from any other wine at lower price points...
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8/31/2012 - RandyC wrote: 90 Points
A solid wine, however this lacked the smoothness of an excellent offering. Fruit was good however the aproach was tannic and choppy. A wine that may improve with further aging, but the wine just was on the brink of something more now. Should the fruit engage with the oak later this could be a real treat.
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5/20/2012 - cmaldoon wrote: 90 Points
Steady favorite as always
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2/25/2012 - Mark Brandon wrote: 92 Points
Getting smoother and more velvety.
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2/25/2012 - Mark Brandon wrote: 92 Points
Bigger, smooth, velvet red with streaks of blue.
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2/4/2012 - BullseyeOregon wrote: 91 Points
The aroma of red fruits and leather don't match the deeper cherry flavors. Perhaps this wine is just complex. The highlight of this is the rich velvety mouth feel. I find this wine very pleasant for savoring alone, it does not need an accompaniment, it has everything necessary to stand alone, proud.
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1/20/2012 - Doherty007 wrote: 82 Points
Very smooth. Plum, long tannins and easy to drink. Surprisingly good with pork chops.
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12/25/2011 - xtrmjoe wrote: 89 Points
My system (nose mouth finish) /+/, with x-mas dinner bottle number 17342, from Julie, nice wine they liked it better than I.
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11/3/2011 - Motz wrote: 89 Points
This wine has several qualities that make a good wine. The acidity is good (though it largely masks the tannins), it is concentrated, the peppery qualities of syrah come through nicely, it is a dry wine, not an Aussie fruit bomb. This being said, I don't think any of these features are in harmony. The nose is pleasant, of dark fruit, earthy, similar to a young Gigondas. The wine hits the palate immediately up front but offers little on the mid palate and a short hot finish. The wine is over-oaked for my taste. The acid is very high. The wine may have needed more time to come together as many good qualities were present. The score is based on what might be instead of what was.
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10/26/2011 - cmaldoon Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured
Rich smooth berry flavors backed by hints of spice and leather from the age. Deeply concentrated. This wine is beautiful right now.
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7/21/2011 - cmaldoon Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured through a vinturi, compared notes after sitting for an hour, the same.
Color: Deep almost opaque Garnet
Nose: Blackberry, Dried Plum, Violets, hint of ethanol/eucalyptus
Flavor: Ripe purple fruits upfront and continuing through the middle. Spices - white pepper and licorice the fruits and this all disolves into a plesant mochga carmel finish.
Feel: Medium to low acidity, barest hint of tannin.
Overall - smooth, deep, rich. Can be enjoyed on its own or with something mild. Can go well with deserts too I'd bet
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6/12/2011 - rcdyer wrote: 88 Points
A lot of berry flavor still there, while expecting more refined fruit. This bottle should have been held longer before drinking.
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2/27/2011 - Brookesaff Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dusty and blackfruit on the nose, and still some alcohol heat. Beautifully incorporated oak with subtle mellowing tannins. Chocolate and cherries...just bloody beautiful. Could still go aanother 5 years. An absolute crime that they have discontinued this wine! Eating with lamb racks and couldn't be better.
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6/25/2010 - BullseyeOregon wrote: 91 Points
Deep purple with a bit of brick hue on the rim. The aroma had ripe fruit, cedar and leather. The flavor is very big and a bit soft. The tannins were restrained and the acidity was enough to balance the fruit.
Great to drink by itself, a little too assertive to be a "food wine".
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6/1/2010 - Bacchant wrote: 88 Points
Pretty dark magenta color with a clear ruby hue. Lighter in body than most Aussie reds. Initially a bit subdued on both the nose & the palate. Remained quite soft, but improved with air & temp. Add 2 points to the last glass. All told, for a Flagship McClaren Vale Shiraz, this was a little underwhelming. [14.5% abv.; $25.00].
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4/20/2010 - Yiannis wrote: 93 Points
Top Aussies Wine Tasting, Cellier Wine Loft, Athens , Greece.
Best value wine of the tasting by far. Very dark purple. complex nose with leather, smoke, blackberries, plums and anise. Mid-full bodied with soft tanins, opulent fruit and balancing acidity. Long finish. Has a long to go.
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4/19/2010 - Stefanos T. wrote: 92 Points
Deep garnet, almost opaque, with blue hues on the rim. Intense and complex nose, smoky, mineral with graphite notes mostly. Floral, violets, ripe plums and sweet spices. Abundant red and black fruit. Very sweet flavours in the mouth which is full bodied with lots of ripe fruit. Very dense yet with balancing acidity. I have doubts nevertheless as to how it can match food being too sweet for my liking. Very well made and at a fair price for its quality, yet de gustibus...
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4/10/2010 - jmcmchi wrote: 93 Points
cellar door. Intense color, nose of ripe red fruit with olive notes. Balanced tannins and chewy fruit on palate lead to a long lingering finish. classic McLaren
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5/9/2009 - ews3 wrote: 94 Points
Wine Spectator Grand Tour 2009 (Borgata -- Atlantic City, NJ): Black fruit, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, black cherry, currant. well integrated tannins. long finish. great, and a surprise at the price point.
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