December 31, 2022 - Magnum .
Black core, red to pale rim.
Inky, redcurrants, boysenberry, licorice, loads of fine furry tannins. Youthful fruit and structure. Very fruit sweet, intense, but stylish and smooth.
December 26, 2022 - It’s been a decade since I tasted the 02. While not quite in the league of the superb 01, I’d always liked its complex, slightly funky side. But my closest mate from home in Hawkes Bay, who’s visit occasioned opening it late on the night he arrived back then (2012), was not impressed by its ‘rusticity’. Bret Nazis are so hard to please.
Against that backdrop, the heavy tertiary marmite and oxo cube notes on opening did not ease the dour Scots heritage in my DNA. Nor did a report from the fabled Clonakilla 50th anniversary in October that the 2002 was drying out seem to be exaggerated.
Funny how a few hours breathing can work wonders for old wine - or prove fatal. On pouring at JB and Alecia’s Kerralee vineyard, for our traditional Boxing Day winefest, fresher aromas soared from the glass. Florals, red and dark fruits, traces of compote, and yes leather too - but new smelling leather. All manner of charcuterie, game and earthy notes were also in attendance. Complexity plus. Very Rhonish but also a New World cool climate vibe.
This flowed onto the smooth, full, satisfyingly mature palate. Silky and seamless, to quote JB. Satiny. The mouthfeel reminded me of a comment from a Rhone maker, that one of his wines felt similar to stroking a cat’s back: smooth and soft, but with muscle and some power underneath.
Unquestionably time to drink, but a whole lotta love - provided the cork has done its job and the bottle is sound. Tally ho.
March 10, 2022 - 91 points:
Drank from Magnum using Coravin Model 6. Needed 1-2 hrs in the glass to open up. On tasting immediately after pouring the wine had a pronounced sour taste with muted fruit. After an hour or so tasts of cassis & a faint taste of licorice. With further time in the glass stronger cassis, tobacco & licorice emerged. Slightly disappointed and feel the wine to be fully mature & needs drinking up.
December 15, 2017 - DInner with Isaac & Lil (Pine Close): Enjoyable, and probably at the right place to drink at the moment. The nose was certainly more Australia than Rhone, with ripe blackberries and compote fringed with violet florals and peppery spice, with just a little twist of eucalyptus at the edge of bouquet. It wore its 14% alcohol really well on the palate, with a fine enough balance and freshness so one hardly noticed the alcohol. Nice flavours too, with a pure spectrum of crunchy blue and black fruit seasoned with more peppery spice on the midpalate. The finish was more mid-length than long, but otherwise a very pleasant wine that was drinking nicely at the moment.
April 3, 2017 - Looking at my previous note, this bottle is much the same. Not showing any sign of deterioration. Very reminiscent of Graillot Crozes. Really enjoyable glass of wine.
October 2, 2016 - aired for an hour; numb nose; lighter style, elegant structure and most enjoyable but no real wow factor
December 4, 2015 - Colour brick red with touch of brown on rim. Nose has slight vegetal cabbage note that is not as unpleasant as that might suggest. Palate is medium bodied and elegant, all secondary developed character. Probably just past its best but still a good wine.
September 20, 2015 - Drinking beautifully now, light tannins, well balanced, not heavily fruit driven. A classic Rhone style.
October 20, 2014 - berry fruit, rasberries and blueberries, silky smooth, lovely overall integration with fine tannins
July 31, 2014 - Dumplings and some nice bottles: Perfumed florals with pepper, cherry and earth. Palate has developed nicely in the 5 years since I last tried it - there is sweet fruit but also some spice and good acid to balance. On the upswing based on this bottle, I'd love to see it again in 5-7 years.