April 9, 2017 - 4/14 strong front and balanced finish - ready now. 91 pts
June 28, 2012 - I don't get all the hype. Perhaps an (slightly) off bottle. Still, pretty enjoyable. At $21, I'm not complaining. Drink thru 2017, 14,5% abv.
December 13, 2011 - Going strong although it took a good 20 minutes to open and become approachable. The nose is a big game and fruit number, but not out of proportion and there are some beautiful Asian spices and a little toasty oak as well. The palette is bold but smooth, with balanced liquorice, dark cherry and leather with most of the alcohol now covered up. Still got at least 7 years in it.
July 28, 2011 - WOW. What a beautiful example of Barossa Shiraz and its ability to carry age! Color is deep garnet red and still youthful. The nose is replete with spice and blackberry, smoke, meatiness and oak. Loads of sweet fruit continue to dominate the palate along with spices and oak. This has to be 15+ alcohol though, my only complaint. This wine has great ripeness as the Barossa is want to be. The fruit is so fresh still and tannins tame. There is life left here for sure. There is no mistaking what this is. Unabashed Barossa Shiraz and proud of it.
July 22, 2010 - Definately agree that this is a 90+ wine, and nowhere near its' prime. From the great '05 vintage. Will hold my other bottle a couple more years at least.
June 27, 2010 - Sunday roast with Paddy (Our house in South Melbourne.): Gamey meats on the nose with concentrated blackcurrant. Again this is amazingly fresh for it's age, but this time the wine was definitely more balanced and elegant. The tannins worked very well with the fruit, which is much darker and better developed. The beginning of the best drinking window for this wine is very close now, and should go for years. 10 more bottles to go.
June 25, 2010 - After all the older cabs and bord blends recently, this seemed remarkably primary and young in comparison. Some rounding out at the edges, but still quite fresh. A smarter person would have saved their last bottle for another 5-10 years, but no....not me! Last one unfortunately. An excellent buy at $21 via auction.
December 16, 2009 - Dark purple. Dominant liquorice nose with fresh concentrated dark fruits and stewed plums. Still a small bit of clumsy oak, but almost all gone. Very hot, but quite well balanced with smooth tannins. Amazingly fresh for it's age. Keep for at least another 5 years.
December 5, 2009 - Oh my! So rare that I get to drink an Oz Shiraz with some age on it. This one is starting to hit its sweet spot. Too much cooking in the kitchen to evaluate the nose very well, but my sense is a spicy perfume with just a faint touch of meat. On the palate - haunting. Shiraz fruit, sweet but not cloying, perfumed, not gamey. And surprisingly balanced. Some acidity, some remaining fine tannins....long finish. G likes it, and normally she hates Oz Shiraz...a testament to this wine's balance.
November 26, 2009 - great spicy plummy peppery wine with a big finish. Best I’ve had in a while, and outstanding at the price. Everything I like in an aussie Shiraz.