November 3, 2018 - Very nice nose but the initial reaction is that it lacks complexity - with a short back palette. So into the decanter via the aerator. Amazing difference - rich and smooth - but still missing something
June 21, 2012 - Exceptional. Decanted for 2 hours. Rich dark fruits on the nose, a savoury element to the finish, which has nice balance. Fine tannins. I must have a different palate to other tasters.
April 4, 2012 - I think this wine has been very much underrated by some. If you just open and pour this wine, you will be severely disappointed. It took about six hours in the decanter to open up. It goes from simple and somewhat abrasive to a savoury wine of some complexity.
Deep purple in colour. Aromas of blackcurrent, black and red berries, autumn leaves, herbs and earth. On the palate there's blackcurrent, black and red berries, gravel, herbs, meats, olive and chocolate. Cedar oak Good length.
Another five years will only improve this wine.
February 7, 2012 - {screwcap, 14%} As for last June generally. The greenness is very apparent on the nose; less so on the palate. It's a touch beyond just authentic leafiness, really, it's distinctly herbal, without really hinting at unripeness. Palate is moderate all round; not too tannic, not too acidic, but also not too much length of finish. Not something to keep in hope of improvement either.
June 5, 2011 - {screwcap, 14%} Dark garnet. Restrained – closed, really – nose of faint black olives and not much else. Decenating would surely have helped here. The palate offers fairly mild flavours of near-bitter currants, olives and a note of typical Margaret River herbs. Tannins are pretty soft and furry though, and after an initial bloom of black fruit flavours the presence on the palate recedes fairly quickly. It’s about medium-bodied, but the finish is a little short, and despite the merlot presence, it’s a classic ‘doughnut-shape’ on the palate, with a giant hole where the mid-palate presence should be. Average wine; perhaps some air might help. Struggles to reach its $30-ish price point.
November 1, 2010 - LCBO and other advertised reviewers are off base. This is pure plonk. Mr. Haliday (sorry if I misspelled his name) should seek another profession or get off the payroll.
October 23, 2010 - first bottle of the stuff...and thankfully my last. tasted like a bad ontario cab franc - vegetal & bell pepper everywhere i looked. my night mare was that with the new lcbo policy I had bought more than a single bottle and couldn't return it
September 21, 2010 - Nose: Eucalyptus, roast meat and black fruits which is quite subtle
Mouth: Jammy fruit and plum (?) in the background. Again, as with their other wines, lots of alcohol heat. Nah