July 6, 2023 - The drinking window for this wine is not yet open but it is drinking very well. Hope there are some bottles left in 10 years!
March 27, 2021 - Dark purple colour moving to a black core. Sweet spice aroma, dark berries, not overly dry. Cherries, blackberry, blueberry, capsicum, dark chocolate. More red berries than black. Sweet, in a good way. Fine persistent tannins, strong but not overpowering. Fresh acidity. Medium body with a long finish.
Not a classic wine but OK, will be fine for the next 5 years but not a very long term proposal.
Day 2 - more body, smoother. Similar flavour profile but more well blended. Almost some tomato added, but it could just be that I am cooking this time. Tannins less noticeable, still present but more integrated. Acidity less obvious. Improved from last night. Once again shows the gain from the patience I am lacking. Score moved from 90 to 91
November 25, 2019 - The nose definitely has a dusty cabernet lift while the palate is a seamless blend of the two varieties. The acid structure carries the wine very evenly on the palate. It may fill out with a few more years in the cellar, but it is wonderful drinking right now.
August 10, 2019 - Nice wine. Needs air and probably another 5 years. But enjoyable nonetheless
April 30, 2019 - This started with bright purple fruits after a quick decant, but slowly faded after a few hours. I lost interest after the second glass. Maybe in an awkward phase? A bit ho hum at the moment.
January 15, 2017 - Hunter Valley - 4 Cellar Doors (Hunter Valley): {screwcap, 13.5%} Still absurdly young. Currant and blueberry aromas. Medium/full-bodied palate, with medium/high dusty tannins and medium acid. A touch reductive on the palate, with powerful black fruit, a savoury texture and a medium/long, tannic and astringent finish. Needs time and decanting. Seems to showcase the cabernet (hilltops?) over the shiraz, whatever the percentages say.
September 24, 2016 - Purple Crimson colour. Cranberry. Mulberry, plum. Sweet jam with light tannin. Medium body with medium finish. Requires some time.
January 17, 2015 - Hunter Valley - 6 Cellar Doors (Hunter Valley): {screwcap, 13.5%, A$50} This seems less blacker somehow than the 2011; and seems to be slightly fruiter version of it. Beautifully built; medium/high dusty tannins, medium acid and medium/full-body culminate in a medium/long finish. Very impressive, and will be for a decade. Perhaps slightly greater potential than the ‘11 I think.