January 21, 2022 - big fruit bomb of a wine that was drunk on a warm summers evening so could have been a little cooler to control the alcohol but hey its summer in Australia. So the wine was a revealing layers and layers of satsuma plums and dark berry fruit. The wine was definitely very rich and delicious with chocolate and vanilla also integrated with the fruit. The structure was still solid and surprising, the tannins had softened although still there adding mouthfeel and structure. Interestingly while Im not sure that its going to get better the drinking window is still wide open as I felt this wine had a good life ahead of it.
November 5, 2016 - Perfect provenance. Wine in to the neck. The cork barely stained! Fine sediment was decanted off. It's still youthful in colour, with just a touch of bricking. Plummy, vanilla, mint, with hints of leather, licorice and dark chocolate. This bottle is alive and so youthful. Palate is full, resolved, settled and delicious. Not the slightest deterioration over an hour. A real treat.
June 23, 2015 - The bottle was in perfect condition. The wine was medium ruby in colour, turning garnet at the edges. It offered a complex and expressive bouquet of red cherry, dried red currant, Asian spices, herbs, sandalwood, tobacco and balsamic notes. On the palate the wine showed cherry, blackberry, dried red currant, spices, black pepper, tobacco, some chocolate and balsamic notes, supplemented by herbal spiciness, with medium-plus acidity, medium-plus tannin and good length. The acidity seemed a little out of balance. The full-bodied wine was best immediately after popping the cork, faded as time passed and developed a drying black tea leave sensation over time. Past peak. Drink up. NR
February 4, 2015 - Light nose of ripe red cherries, sandalwood, forest, mushrooms... beautiful integrated tannins, sappy ripe red cherries, very nice for a 19 years old Australian Syrah!
December 25, 2014 - Great noise, cherry, port. Past its prime. Herbs, wild peppers, cherry. Watery palate at first, medium finish.
September 6, 2014 - Not obviously flawed, but relative to earlier bottles this was very disappointing - not much fruit and finished quite short with dry heat.
August 3, 2014 - Popped and poured and went back and forth with a 2004 Factor over 3 hrs. Lovely black/red fruit and herb tastes. Incredibly fresh for the age so why delay any longer? Serve with lamb lollipops and watch out. Thanks JE3 for sharing!
May 9, 2014 - Decanted briefly for sediment. Needed about 30 minutes to open up. Mature red fruit, hint of mushroom, earthy Brunello-like qualities on the nose, integrated spice, bread pudding. Palate has plenty of sweet fruit left, red/dark red profile, raspberry, red currants, oiled leather, very Northern Rhone on the finish. Should drink well for another couple years. Drink now-2016.
January 11, 2014 - Explosive nose of very ripe cherries, leather, gamey, mushrooms, absolutely stunning nose! ... Very delicate ripe tannins, ripe strawberries, average lenght
December 25, 2013 - Just superb, mature rounded black fruit, liquorice and cough mixture, firm but melting tannin. One to go from 18, wish I had kept more for longer!