January 10, 2022 - Still quite tight, ever after some solid bottle age.
Peppery and herbal, quite old world. Better on day 2, dusty tannins more resolved and fruit profile slightly plusher. Tasty but difficult. Perhaps decant.
Not sure how much fruit intensity might fall over if aged further, but structurally it seems to want it...
October 26, 2021 - Lovely rich mellow flavour
July 23, 2020 - An 89 from WS. A 90 from WE
$16 at TW
64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Shiraz
13.5%
Unable to improve on/add to what the last few reviewers have noted.
A good wine at a good price and might want to give a bottle a little time in the cellar for fun.
👍
June 12, 2020 - Blend of 64 % Cabernet Sauvignon & 36% Shiraz, which I last tried about 2 years ago. Medium ruby/purple color. Aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, leather, bell pepper, with hints of pepper and eucalyptus. Silky texture, full-bodied, with a backbone of chalky tannins. Blackcurrant flavor on the palate, earthy notes, and a lingering tart finish with hints of pepper and eucalyptus.
Balanced and bold.
The time it spent laying down has helped immensely, allowing the tannins to resolve and get out of the way of the flavor.
January 13, 2019 - Brought this to First Culinary Restaurant @ ITE Central to share with the ETCeteras during a dinner meeting.
Dark purple in colour with notes of prunes and rich milk chocolate and black coffee. While the elements of the wine are in harmony, the wine is a little unsettled at the moment and may benefit from a bit more time in the bottle or the decanter. Structure is well defined with the youthfulness of the wine shining through and flavours and texture contributed by the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
Although this wine wasn't made for long term aging it would certainly benefit from a few more years in the bottle at the current stage.
September 19, 2018 - 64% Cabernet Sauvignon
36% Shiraz
13.5%
Deep ruby/garnet, broad pinkish rim
Pretty nose of blackcurrant, some bluberry and gamey Syrah. Some development.
A little leaf and tobacco but the whole is clean and pure and sort of primary. there is a little mint too – nice nose, pretty and delicate.
The attack is very cool, quite Old World. Nice acidity, elegant and lifted.
Pretty red fruits, cherry flavours too. Fine tannins, all very well-balanced.
May 15, 2018 - Currant, smoke and earthy mineral nose and flavours. Medium-full bodied with good fruit and freshness. Distinct cabernet flavours and finish.
3.5/5
April 29, 2018 - Yum! Really good with our pasta dinner.
March 1, 2018 - Fairly dense smoke and bramble on nose
A bit edgy on palate, tannins prominent. Needs time
February 28, 2018 - 90m of air before drinking. Deep Ruby color.
Vibrant aromas of Cherry & blackberry, cedar & smoke, pepper. On the palate, the dark fruit flavors are much more muted than expected (based on the what the aroma promises). They may be hidden behind the pronounced, but chocolaty, tannins which dominate through the medium finish.
I like this wine, but also I kind of don't like it. It's like a colorful photo on the nose, and a moody black & white photo on the palate. Both are good, but together disjointed.
Based on the 2013 vintage, which I put away for later drinking, I was fully expecting this one to need some short-term cellaring and that's hopefully what it needs. I look forward to trying it again in the next few years.