March 18, 2016 - Past prime for both bottles - better after 1 hour of decanting but still not what one would expect
February 10, 2013 - Quite similar to a bottle of the 91 I had recently, and similarly disappointing. Earthy, leathery, some menthol, a bit anonymous, fruit has faded. Still a fair bit of tannin that while smooth is a bit blocky. Perhaps showing more fruit on day 2, but I can't imagine this needs more time. I'd rather bet that's it's past prime, but I would have thought this bottling would age better.
January 3, 2013 - Still loaded with fruit, secondary flavors showing very well. This was one of the bottles drained very quickly at Sidney's party, so it was well-received.
July 21, 2011 - Bobby's Birthday Bash (28-50): Stylistically similar to the 91 but without the mint. Obviously younger and fuller, but it does leave me with a sense of the alcohol. More fruit, more primary, a little tighter and stricter. ***
January 6, 2010 - {cork, 13%} Aged cabernet nose (80% this year), slightly varnishy, of cedar and cigarboxes. Palate is consistent with that, somewhat astringent, only medium-bodied, with a ripe warmth of curranty fruits and old wood. Even enough palate coverage, although the tannins - drying, dusty - really are beginning to stick out on the finish. Drink up
March 2, 2007 - Early Mar 2007: red purple color; red berries, vanilla and coffee; round on the palate; medium finish.
July 3, 2005 - A very nice bottle with a Heritage Turkey.
July 2, 2005 - At nearly 10, this is impressively blue-black in colour still. The nose is pure ripe blackcurrant & cassis; powerful and insistent, but not overbearing. Vanillan oak plays a supporting role. The palate is full/medium, very pure and cool, ripe, yet not overly so. Mostly front-mid palate in texture, the finish is long, the tannins softened; all up a very fine wine. Knocks just about any local cabernet under $50 into a cocked hat.
October 10, 2003 - Super bright dark colour. Very good nose - soft, herby cabernet. Very good attack. Excellent fruit on palate. But seems to fall apart a little on the finish, becoming a little disjointed - tannins, spice and fruit seem to separate out and go along their own paths.
June 2, 2003 - NobleRottersSydney - 1996 night (Lucio's, Paddington): A deep red, this has a rich toasty nose of still-fresh cabernet fruit. Tannins have softened a little, the oak is not dominant on the palate. Has come together nicely, but still appears to have life left to develop some more complexity. Lovely wine. Wouldn’t have been at all out-of-place in a line up of top Oz cabernets – which is not a comment on the relative merits of either, rather a reflection on the similarity of styles.