March 11, 2022 - Inky red color, graphite and berry.
February 6, 2021 - Fruit forward, spicy finish.
October 9, 2020 - Big Syrah flavors, exactly what I look for from an AU wine.
June 6, 2020 - Just too much fruit and sweetness. Did not enjoy. Stuck it in the freezer - saucematerial.
February 23, 2020 - Note from day two; Ripe blueberry and black raspberry flavors, low level minerality in the background. Was better day two, day one this was a bit sharp and somewhat over the top. Give this a long decant or wait a couple years.
October 19, 2019 - Syrahs/Shirazes (3-AU, and 1 ea FR, S. Africa, & CA) (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 78% Shiraz & 22% Grenache; "Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the N tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 50—80 yr old Shiraz & 50—110 yr old Grenache. Yield 3.5 tons/ha; Oak contact minimised for the Grenache; The Shiraz was matured for 16 mos in 2-3 yr old oak hogshead barrels (80% FR, 20% AM)." 14.5% ABV, 3.0 g/l R.S., 6.02 g/l, & 3.53 pH;
N: Closed; RIPE berries with notes of minerals; Intensity lurking?
P: LM body; RNDISH entry with very NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which pretty much works itself out by the LONG, balanced finish with an attractive, tangy/swtness to the firming, dusty tannins. NEEDS 12-18 mos, then drinking for 3-4 yrs more. My EXC-, poss more for QPR? [This vendor's $19.95 sits atop wine-searcher's somewhat skewed listing.] 92 pts Anthony Gismondi (CN), 91 ea Suckling & WA (Czerwinski), 90 Huon Hooke, & 17/20 Jancis Robinson.
Note: 1st tasted on 6/5/19
June 15, 2019 - Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 8 *shared* bottles] from 06/14/19 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 78% Shiraz & 22% Grenache; "Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the N tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 50—80 yr old Shiraz & 50—110 yr old Grenache. Yield 3.5 tons/ha; Oak contact minimised for the Grenache; The Shiraz was matured for 16 mos in 2-3 yr old oak hogshead barrels (80% FR, 20% AM)." 14.5% ABV, 3.0 g/l R.S., 6.02 g/l, & 3.53 pH;
N: Very RIPE berries with notes of pyrazines
P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by a very, VERY slightly astringent PUCKER which morphs into a LONG, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a discrete swtness to the few, very, VERY fine tannins. Best suited for those fond of acidity, & even then PROBABLY *needs* through '20, poss even more. My VG+/EXC-, the higher arguably for the QPR of this vendor's $19.95, which sits atop wine-searcher's small but skewed listing. 92 pts Anthony Gismondi (CN), 91 ea Suckling & WA (Czerwinski), 90 Huon Hooke, & 17/20 Jancis Robinson.
March 14, 2019 - Blueberry pie with alcohol. Too much alcohol. Day 1 around 80-82. But I'm saving half for another day so no grade today.
Edit: Did not come back to this one. So grades from the first day. But my guests who drunk it liked it day 3.
January 7, 2019 - Excellent Barossa blend. Loads of fruit, powerful, spicy yet smooth. Ageing potential here as well, I think.