1994 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 86.5 points

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  4/18/2024 - Ulaa Likes this wine: 85 Points

  It is rare I get my hands on something this old. The score is very subjective from me. 10 years ago I think I would have given this a mid 90.
  The cork wasn't flawed, however it did disintegrate when opening. Most of the cork was still in the neck and I had to filter out the bits. Even with the filtering there was a LOT of sediment in this wine. The wine is very much past its best, but the fruit was hanging in there and still had distinct flavor. I desperately wanted to love this. Gamey, meaty, mushrooms, leather, all the characteristics of a great, aged, rich, red even if they were beginning to overtake the fruit flavors.
  
  Do not hold on, pair this now with something rich and meaty, enjoy with friends and imagine what this was like 10 years ago.
  
  Penfolds, Koonunga Hill
  1994, South Australia, Australia
  Shiraz/Cabernet
  
  Appearance.
  Clarity : Clear
  Intensity : Deep
  
  Colour
  Red : Tawny
  
  Nose
  Condition : clean
  Intensity : Medium
  
  Aroma Characteristics :
  Primary: Black fruit (Black Plum), Herbaceous (Tomato leaf), Spice (White Pepper) Ripeness (Jamminess)
  Secondary: Oak (Smoke, Coffee)
  Tertiary: Leather, forest floor, earth, mushroom, tobacco, meaty
  
  Development : tired/past its best
  Notes
  Although this is marked as tired past its best, it was still delicious
  
  Palate
  Sweetness : Dry
  Acidity : Medium(-)
  Tannin : Medium(-)
  Alcohol : Medium
  Body : Full
  
  Flavour
  Intensity : Medium(+)
  Primary: Red Fruit (Red Plum), Black fruit (Black Plum, Bramble), Herbaceous (Green bell pepper), Spice (White Pepper)
  Other (cooked fruit/Jammy)
  Secondary: Yeast (Biscuit, pastry, bread, toast, dough, cheese, yoghurt), Malolactic Conversion (Butter, Cream, Cheese)
  Tertiary: Leather, forest floor, earth, mushroom, tobacco, meaty
  
  Finish : Long
  
  Quality Level : acceptable
  Readiness for drinking : To old
  
  Score 16
  Appearance Not Sharp 1
  Colour A bit faded 1
  Aroma Average 2
  Sugar, Dryness Appropriate 2
  Flavour Balanced, rich 2
  Astringency (reds) Balanced Tannins 2
  Overall
  Top Rank 2 Average 1 Rot Gut 0

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  1/28/2024 - JohnLI Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Found this bottle to drink with roast chicken. A graceful wine all in balance. Lovely berry fruit and soft integrated tannins, so smooth. A pleasure to drink at 30 years. Could go longer but can’t think why.

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  10/2/2020 - Hiker4life70 Likes this wine:

  It was brickish/brownish colored with decanting and had almost a port like nose that blew off. Slightly tart cranberry, sour cherry, and earthy palate with soft tannins.

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  12/27/2013 - tns49 wrote: 88 Points

  Still drinking well, although now clearly on the down slope.

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  1/6/1999 - Carniolan wrote: 80 Points

  mostly closed, with strong vanilla and alcohol, tannic, sharp, acidic

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