The World of Fine Wine

• September 2010, Issue #29 (link)

  (Parker Terra Rossa First Growth Coonawarra (Cabernet/Merlot) (Coonawarra)) Subscribe to see review text.

Halliday Wine Companion

• By James Halliday
  8/12/2007 (link)

  (Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth) Subscribe to see review text.

The WINEFRONT

• By Gary Walsh
  5/5/2007 (link)

  (Parker Coonawarra Estate First Growth) Subscribe to see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  8/28/2009 (link)

  (PARKER First Growth Cabernet) Parker Dear Friends, The well has finally gone dry at Parker Coonawarra but not before one of the top buys of the summer. If you ask a majority of Australian collectors, the Parker First Growth was the finest Cabernet (or blend) produced in the 2004 vintage - even ahead of Mt. Mary Quintets, Lake's Folley or other. I've been touting this winery a great deal lately but the proof is in the bottle. As far as the 2004 is concerned, this is as good of a deal as you will come across for Cabernet of significance. Look up whatever you need to (community notes, Parker, Jeremy Oliver, Halliday, Langtons, etc) but all are in universal agreement that the 2004 First Growth is one of the storied vintages of this wine since the late 1980s: We have a parcel of the 2004 set to arrive in perfect cellared condition. The fact that something of this pedigree is available for $28+ and a bevy of California entrants (that may not be this good) are $250 or more on release has to make even the most deep-pocketed collector step back and take notice. 2004 Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa "First Growth" (Cabernet) (this is not the regular Terra Rossa bottling) Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Aus7491

• By Jon Rimmerman
  7/19/2007 (link)

  (PARKER FIRST GROWTH Cabernet) Parker First Growth Dear Friends, The Parker First Growth is back and the Australians are giddy over this wine - one that could resuscitate the legend of Coonawarra’s iron rich, red soil the way classic vintages of Penfold’s Bin 707 did during the 1970’s-1980’s. In other words, this is a timely achievement that should introduce a classic style to an eager audience that is yearning for the very best collectable quality at a sane price. If you are looking for wine with soul and something to say, the First Growth will speak volumes. This wine was brought to prominence in the US with the 1998 vintage (WA95-97) when Robert Parker (no relation) gave this wine equal praise to many of his highest rated Bordeaux and cult Napa Bottlings. Parker is probably the toughest on Cabernet based wines in all of his ratings and he has followed this bottling since 1988 when he made this statement regarding the First Growth: “This is a stunning Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. I suspect it can only be challenged by Penfold's famous Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon”. With some of the most consistent ratings of any wine in Australia (Cabernet or Shiraz) the First Growth has never really been on the US consumer’s radar as many get their Cabernet fix in California or Bordeaux - this wine should change that. I’m happy to report the 2004 is not only a repeat of the quality of 1998 but it may age into the finest First Growth yet produced (2004 was a similar vintage in Coonawarra to 2005 in Bordeaux). If rumblings on the Australian wine bulletin boards are any indication, this wine is one of the only “must have” purchases of the year. If you are looking for relief to the high prices of Bordeaux, I would strongly urge you to partake of this outstanding achievement - it will reward and repay in the cellar like a top Left Bank at a far lesser price. Campbell Mattinson (who is the probably the best critic in Australia at the moment, sort of the Down Under equivalent of a combination between Tanzer and Josh Raynolds) gave this wine one of his highest ratings of the year and he has the benefit of trying nearly everything produced in Australia, not just what US importers want the US critics to see. With Mattinson’s 2007 Top 100 set to debut this weekend (sort of the Australian thinking man’s equivalent to the Wine Spectator Top 100 with major influence on the market), this wine has its aim squarely on the #1 spot. I don’t think anyone in Australia will be surprised if it’s the Wine of the Year from him: One pristine parcel at an incredible price - directly from the winery cellar. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 2004 Parker Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon “First Growth” Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Aus8490