July 11, 2021 - Took to church. Second bottle of 3. This was a hot jammy mess. Green, alchohol and harsher tannins than the first (which was no wilting flower either.) It did get better after an hour of air, or maybe we just got drunker. Either way not my thing.
October 5, 2020 - Cc
March 27, 2020 - Still drinking well even though it is supposedly past its window. A big jammy wine. Good if you like the style and I do when it is paired with my wife's spicy meatloaf. Definitely not for sipping or the faint of heart.
February 10, 2018 - Very full bodied with cherry, fig and leather flavors. Excellent. At or near peak.
December 31, 2017 - Big extracted Shiraz. I loved it and my wife not so much. Definitely a sipper......
November 18, 2016 - Big dark flavorful fruit bomb. Open for business. The fruit hides the 16.5% alcohol content pretty well. Definitely has potential for further growth. Medium to long finish. Last bottle was opened a couple years ago, and this is definitely it's best showing yet. Was so impressed, I back filled 4 more in my cellar.
April 26, 2016 - Second best Aussie Shiraz I have ever had. Got this at auction but have seen it in a couple wine store I have seen in the SE US so this one is now on my try to by list. Good big body, nice balance, fruit is still fresh and the alcohol is unseen. It has a full mouth and adequate acid, and then it grows a bit and finishes nice but not spectacularly with a subtle, full, smooth, fruit finish. Doubt I can find the '04 again but will surely buy newer vintages for a reasonable price ($30ish or under)
December 30, 2015 - Wow! This has really blossomed since our last bottle two years ago. Then it was complex but a little overpowering, almost as big as a Vintage Port. It is still a big wine now but even more complex and it has mellowed considerably. Great nose of black fruit, cedar and a wonderful spice melange. Same on the palate with a rich peppery finish. Definitely worth the wait.
August 27, 2015 - Glad I hung on to these for a long time before trying the first bottle. It was pure beauty after 15 minutes in the glass. The deep ripe fruit was just as fresh as the day it was picked. Everyone enjoyed this wine a lot. Glad I have three more bottles
August 18, 2015 - Whilst still holding well (due to its screw cap?) this is one huge extracted confabulation of spicy black raspberries, blueberries along with a little black cherry jam and black liquorice. Can't say it's integrated all that well over the years, yet it still smells good, has a big plush mid palate with enough acidity to carry on to a finish. Not the 96 pointer Parker wrote up some time ago, it still gives some gussied up pleasure with a little after burn from the 16.5 alcohol.