June 15, 2021 - A little over the top, but I wanted a wine that wouldn't be overpowered by the steak au poivre. Mission accomplished. This wine probably isn't for everyone with it's in-your-face style but we enjoyed it. Not sure I'd buy again at the price point.
March 24, 2021 - Just as wicked and controversial as its reputation. It really could be written up like a port and accompany your favorite smoke, and with that mindset it comes across as nicely balanced and complex. So tonight, it was paired up with a Flannery 45-day NY steak and what a great combination that also turned out to be! Unfortunately, after the steak was gone the brute abv force of the wine made further exploration tedious. With such a nice cut of cow, the two of us can usually kill a bottle of 13-15abv. Not so with this giant. 5+12+17+8= 92
February 22, 2021 - Virtual Men's Wine night (Zoom): From carafes poured two hours earlier. This seemed slightly bretty so possible I would rate another bottle higher as I'm very sensitive to brett. Other than that, bold, intense dark fruit balanced with intense minerality on the palate. Long finish. Raspberry jam on the delicious nose. I'd like to try this again without the brett for sure. My #3 of 5 and the group's #5.
September 12, 2020 - Black viscous motor oil...and I love it. Definitely not for everyone, this is a very good example of overextracted shoraz from Australia. Blueberries and nice oak. This is the Caymus SS of Australia but on steroids. Old world fans should never drink this style of wine because they will not understand how someone can like this style of wine. QPR modest, would love to see it in the $159 price
June 14, 2020 - Just not my thing. Drank over three days. Overripe black and blue fruit with hot alchohol on the finish. Powerful but for me almost a charicature of red wine.
June 6, 2020 - Wonderful wine!
May 28, 2020 - Aromas of violets, red cherries and blueberries. This was a red and black cherry fruit explosion on the palate integrated with mild oak and blackberry. A long, smooth finish.
March 17, 2020 - The usual aussie overextracted bomb with not much finesse
January 12, 2019 - Less bombastic than you might think, but still a massive wine with blackberry, cherry, blueberry, and licorice in a molten core. Acidity and sweet spice provide balance. Drinking very well right now but probably good for 3+ more years
November 10, 2018 - Dark in color, almost purple. Not too much sediment. Scents of ripe blue and black fruit. Taste of blueberry and blackberry, which was quite balanced and smooth, with a medium finish.