It was part of a lineup of all syrahs for the night. For me, this wine and a 2009 Tensley Colson Canyon were the standouts. Other CTers have suggested that this Aussie shiraz was past its prime. We did not find that to be the case. We found this to be a very well integrated wine; all of the elements were singing the same song. Excellent fruit flavors without any one dominating. If one likes a bright, vibrant, peppery shiraz, this is no longer that. I was a rich presentation that offered very nice depth. I would agree with others that it is reaching the end of its drinkability, but that the window has certainly not yet closed - at least not on this bottle.
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Opened for 3 prior to drinking. Beautiful purple, quite smooth, well balanced and easy to drink, just short of a medium finish. Drink now for sure, reached its peak.
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Do not open and drink straight away. Or you will pour down sink. On reflection a decanter would have been sensible for a 10 year old wine that the vale says will cellar for 5-8 years. Very dry and flat on opening. But opened up to be smooth. Yet still lacking total substance.
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You get the sense this wine has calmed as it's not overwhelming. Cherry and blueberry, some candy/bubblegum flavors. Better on day two but overall the alcohol heat and uninspiring fruit left me wanting more.
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Just ok for me. Started off with good core fruit, but thinned out in the middle and the finish didn't last. Enough body to stand up to heartier fare but that's about it.
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This is now coming into it's own. Purple/black. On the nose, Damson plums, underbrush, black pepper, cedar box, compost, meat. Full bodied, robust and concentrated on the palate. Big black fruit, earth, licorice, truffle on a dense frame. It's drinking better now than last year; will probably improve somewhat over the next year, and will hold a good while, but I don't think it will be substantially better than it is now. But that's fine, because it does big, extracted Aussie shiraz proud.
This is not my usual preference these days, but with Chinese black pepper chicken and beef and a James Brown tv concert at 98 dB this was just what was called for. Hunh, I feeeelll good!
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Very interesting wine with a nose that was laden with red fruit and game. Fruit forward on the palate with slight licorice finish. I thought it was well balanced with enough tanins to give it some character and a little longer shelf life. For the price, not sure if I would buy it again but certainly enjoyed trying it.
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Popped and poured. Minimal nose of fruit. On the palate, cigar smoke, tobacco, and pepper. The pepper being stronger on the finish. Initially the smoke was very forward -- similar to the way fruit is on a fruit bomb. Over time it seemed to settle down either because we became used to it or because it started to blow off.
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6/18/2016 - cshall Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still good. But ready to quaff
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2/7/2016 - JERB Likes this wine: 91 Points
It was part of a lineup of all syrahs for the night. For me, this wine and a 2009 Tensley Colson Canyon were the standouts. Other CTers have suggested that this Aussie shiraz was past its prime. We did not find that to be the case. We found this to be a very well integrated wine; all of the elements were singing the same song. Excellent fruit flavors without any one dominating. If one likes a bright, vibrant, peppery shiraz, this is no longer that. I was a rich presentation that offered very nice depth. I would agree with others that it is reaching the end of its drinkability, but that the window has certainly not yet closed - at least not on this bottle.
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8/23/2014 - cshall wrote: 90 Points
Plummy. But not going to get better. A mouthful of combined tannins fruit and old age. Slight vanilla taste but not what it used to be.
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6/21/2014 - red.red.vino wrote:
Past its best, a little tart on the back palate
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12/17/2013 - red.red.vino wrote: 90 Points
Opened for 3 prior to drinking. Beautiful purple, quite smooth, well balanced and easy to drink, just short of a medium finish. Drink now for sure, reached its peak.
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9/4/2013 - cshall wrote: 90 Points
Do not open and drink straight away. Or you will pour down sink. On reflection a decanter would have been sensible for a 10 year old wine that the vale says will cellar for 5-8 years. Very dry and flat on opening. But opened up to be smooth. Yet still lacking total substance.
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5/19/2012 - Gritty wrote: 85 Points
Fading, much of the fruit is gone, only reasonably balanced.
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1/27/2012 - dtmo wrote:
Like this one. Nice tannin and Shiraz zing
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1/23/2012 - dtmo wrote:
Like this one. Nice tannin and Shiraz zing
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8/12/2011 - dtmo wrote:
Very nice and distinctive
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8/4/2010 - vanpe003 wrote: 91 Points
No detailed notes. Very enjoyable. Full-bodied without being cloying.
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7/31/2010 - jeffal66 wrote: 84 Points
You get the sense this wine has calmed as it's not overwhelming. Cherry and blueberry, some candy/bubblegum flavors. Better on day two but overall the alcohol heat and uninspiring fruit left me wanting more.
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4/7/2010 - bistro wrote: 86 Points
Just ok for me. Started off with good core fruit, but thinned out in the middle and the finish didn't last. Enough body to stand up to heartier fare but that's about it.
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1/13/2010 - MindMuse wrote: 89 Points
This is now coming into it's own. Purple/black. On the nose, Damson plums, underbrush, black pepper, cedar box, compost, meat. Full bodied, robust and concentrated on the palate. Big black fruit, earth, licorice, truffle on a dense frame. It's drinking better now than last year; will probably improve somewhat over the next year, and will hold a good while, but I don't think it will be substantially better than it is now. But that's fine, because it does big, extracted Aussie shiraz proud.
This is not my usual preference these days, but with Chinese black pepper chicken and beef and a James Brown tv concert at 98 dB this was just what was called for. Hunh, I feeeelll good!
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5/19/2009 - grobbins wrote: 87 Points
Very interesting wine with a nose that was laden with red fruit and game. Fruit forward on the palate with slight licorice finish. I thought it was well balanced with enough tanins to give it some character and a little longer shelf life. For the price, not sure if I would buy it again but certainly enjoyed trying it.
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11/16/2008 - lifeattable wrote: 84 Points
eh. not bad, but I expected better. Finish a bit spicy/bitter for my taste. I'd hang on to this for a few more years, let it develop.
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5/19/2007 - purcellj wrote: 84 Points
Popped and poured. Minimal nose of fruit. On the palate, cigar smoke, tobacco, and pepper. The pepper being stronger on the finish. Initially the smoke was very forward -- similar to the way fruit is on a fruit bomb. Over time it seemed to settle down either because we became used to it or because it started to blow off.
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4/25/2007 - jhngo wrote: 85 Points
Not as good as the 02 vintage.
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12/8/2006 - msu wrote: 90 Points
Very nice, fruit forward. Some tannins. Long, spicy finish.
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