The color depth was deep with a hue of brown with the rim having an orange/brick in color. The clarity was cloudy and aroma was aromatic still for its age. The wine clearly shows age by this point. Aromas included black licorice, sour over ripe cherry, slight smell of eucalyptus, spice and a bit of funkiness.
The wine was off dry and a medium sweetness. Body was medium-full and the acidity was tart. Tannin was low but soft and the flavor intensity was moderate. Flavors included raisin, dark cherry and some hints of baking spices. The finish was also long.
This wine is currently past its prime and is on a downward trend but is still drinkable. The wine was cloudy like it just finished its first fermentation. There is still a lot going on with the nose. The Shiraz has some presence but has left the building leaving behind a remnant of its former self. The floral notes have also subsided. If you still have this bottle in your cellar, pop the cork and drink it. Any additional aging will not benefit the wine but make it less tolerable to drink.
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Fully mature. Slightly teal colour on the rim, but otherwise dark ruby colour. Quite restrained when first opened, but after about half an hour in the decanter, it starts to show a very elegant floral nose of violets with a hint of cherry. Very elegant and refined taste. A little dry in the after-taste. A little astringent - much closer to Northern Rhône than to Australia in style. A very good mature wine (that should be drunk with food - preferably a good rustic winter dish).
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Initially eucalyptus on the nose, but when decanted it was replaced by loads of cassis. Slight signs of age in the color and structure. Surprisingly dry and delicate. Much closer in style to its peers from Northern Rhone than most Aussie Shiraz/Viognier wines. A very good wine.
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Lovely, rich, thick nose of cassis and other dark fruits. Body is surprisingly dry. Medium bodied, medium length finish. Tannins were restrained at first but got fairly grippy over a few hours.
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As before, not as sweet and smooth as a straight shiraz, rather, better backbone with pepper, roasted meat along with solid dark fruit. Almost french in style. Time to drink, but not at all over the hill. A very nice wine.
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This was pretty impressive. Lots of mint and plums at first, very ripe but now nicely resolved and at an excellent point to enjoy. It was even better 2 hours after dinner, as a wonderful bit of roasted meat and some pepper came out, really showing the Syrah character. Still some wood tannins showing up on the finish. For a McLaren Vale wine that was pretty crazy in its youth, this is surprisingly elegant at this point in its evolution.
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8/03: Was more substantive than straight Shiraz, perhaps more acid as might expect. tons of fruit, great nose. 2nd day was better, more open fruit. will age very, very well.
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A fruit bomb, but an enjoyable and well-made one. Blueberry and floral notes immediately upon the nose. Deep, dark color. With air, the blueberry mixes with oak for pleasant entry, strong taste of fruits, and long finish. This one is ready to go, but I kept a 1/2 bottle for a second night.
I have been less enthusiastic for these sorts of wines - what does one eat with them. But it actually went very nicely with Rotisserie chicken and mixed salad. Not my favorite type of wine, but when you're in the mood . . .
Second night, a bit mellowed, but the blueberry and deep fruit flavors persisted. Very nice.
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($40) Black and Blue Blind: Blind Red 1 - Sweet blueberry, blue fruit nose. Cedar. Jammy. Yum nose. Rich, sweet attack. Full-bodied and dense. Touch of vanilla. Nice. Turns creamy black cherry in the finish.
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On this July 4th we went for a traditional meal: hamburgers (about 10oz each, bigger than your head!), hot dogs, and some baked beans. What to match with it? Some would say beer, but when you are in the mood for it, I am finding that there are few indulgences which are more enjoyable than a huge Aussie wine!
Decanted about three hours, the nose on this is dominated by cheddary oak, although there is an intense floral and berry element beneath this. The palate is just exploding with everything: gobs of fruit, oak, and alcohol. Remarkably smooth, concentrated, and voluptuous, this thing has a simply massive finish, enough to make your head pop. A minute later this wine is still hanging with you!
Unfortunately, right now this wine is still fairly disjointed. It has all sorts of good stuff, but it is all over the place. Right now I have 1/3 of a bottle left, and if it survives the night it will be interesting to see if this has settled down and integrated at all.
(DAY 2) The wood has settled down, and a spicy, peppery note has emerged. This is really lovely stuff, although I won't be in a hurry to drink my 2nd bottle. It has a long life ahead and still needs to settle down.
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($35) Served Blind - sweet smelling with a touch of funk. California? Sour fruit quality. Nice overall. As soon as the name was said, the apricots jump out of the glass and one realizes why it had that sour fruit quality.
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Decanted for 6 hours+. Nose of bright fruit with a hint of phenol (Band-Aid). Taste of black licorice and pepper with leather overtones. Very young with a great future ahead of it. Phenols also on the taste (Band-Aids).
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1/22/2024 - smctipton Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still amazed at the longevity here. Clear garnet, with no bricking, crunchy dark red fruit, barely perceptible tannin, and decent length.
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8/17/2020 - Cha-Cha-Chung wrote: flawed
A slight touch of TCA, under the radar for most... probably another bottle would present better. Chocolate and fruit, but didn't impress.
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12/11/2017 - Optimus Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
The color depth was deep with a hue of brown with the rim having an orange/brick in color. The clarity was cloudy and aroma was aromatic still for its age. The wine clearly shows age by this point. Aromas included black licorice, sour over ripe cherry, slight smell of eucalyptus, spice and a bit of funkiness.
The wine was off dry and a medium sweetness. Body was medium-full and the acidity was tart. Tannin was low but soft and the flavor intensity was moderate. Flavors included raisin, dark cherry and some hints of baking spices. The finish was also long.
This wine is currently past its prime and is on a downward trend but is still drinkable. The wine was cloudy like it just finished its first fermentation. There is still a lot going on with the nose. The Shiraz has some presence but has left the building leaving behind a remnant of its former self. The floral notes have also subsided. If you still have this bottle in your cellar, pop the cork and drink it. Any additional aging will not benefit the wine but make it less tolerable to drink.
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5/22/2013 - rhanke wrote:
showing great, lots of fruit
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12/18/2010 - KristianT Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fully mature. Slightly teal colour on the rim, but otherwise dark ruby colour. Quite restrained when first opened, but after about half an hour in the decanter, it starts to show a very elegant floral nose of violets with a hint of cherry. Very elegant and refined taste. A little dry in the after-taste. A little astringent - much closer to Northern Rhône than to Australia in style. A very good mature wine (that should be drunk with food - preferably a good rustic winter dish).
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4/14/2010 - GuruofAV wrote: 83 Points
Nose has a bit of band aid funk. No bad but not what I thought. Possible that it's a slightly tainted bottle. Disappointing
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12/19/2009 - KristianT wrote: 91 Points
Initially eucalyptus on the nose, but when decanted it was replaced by loads of cassis. Slight signs of age in the color and structure. Surprisingly dry and delicate. Much closer in style to its peers from Northern Rhone than most Aussie Shiraz/Viognier wines. A very good wine.
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12/31/2007 - conform wrote:
Lovely, rich, thick nose of cassis and other dark fruits. Body is surprisingly dry. Medium bodied, medium length finish. Tannins were restrained at first but got fairly grippy over a few hours.
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10/28/2007 - amred wrote: 92 Points
As before, not as sweet and smooth as a straight shiraz, rather, better backbone with pepper, roasted meat along with solid dark fruit. Almost french in style. Time to drink, but not at all over the hill. A very nice wine.
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5/13/2006 - Eric wrote: 91 Points
This was pretty impressive. Lots of mint and plums at first, very ripe but now nicely resolved and at an excellent point to enjoy. It was even better 2 hours after dinner, as a wonderful bit of roasted meat and some pepper came out, really showing the Syrah character. Still some wood tannins showing up on the finish. For a McLaren Vale wine that was pretty crazy in its youth, this is surprisingly elegant at this point in its evolution.
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10/8/2005 - amred wrote: 93 Points
8/03: Was more substantive than straight Shiraz, perhaps more acid as might expect. tons of fruit, great nose. 2nd day was better, more open fruit. will age very, very well.
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5/22/2005 - Tom E wrote: 91 Points
A fruit bomb, but an enjoyable and well-made one. Blueberry and floral notes immediately upon the nose. Deep, dark color. With air, the blueberry mixes with oak for pleasant entry, strong taste of fruits, and long finish. This one is ready to go, but I kept a 1/2 bottle for a second night.
I have been less enthusiastic for these sorts of wines - what does one eat with them. But it actually went very nicely with Rotisserie chicken and mixed salad. Not my favorite type of wine, but when you're in the mood . . .
Second night, a bit mellowed, but the blueberry and deep fruit flavors persisted. Very nice.
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12/27/2004 - JeffGMorris wrote:
Badly corked.
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8/4/2004 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($40) Black and Blue Blind: Blind Red 1 - Sweet blueberry, blue fruit nose. Cedar. Jammy. Yum nose. Rich, sweet attack. Full-bodied and dense. Touch of vanilla. Nice. Turns creamy black cherry in the finish.
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7/26/2004 - xpensivewino wrote: 94 Points
A fruit bomb, exploded from the glass, excellent.
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10/31/2003 - chbeaumont wrote: 92 Points
Opaque: cassis, super-ripe, fragrant Viognier note; blackcurrants, saturated, thick, tannic backbone; concentrated. Peak in 5 years? 17>.
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7/4/2003 - Eric wrote: 91 Points
On this July 4th we went for a traditional meal: hamburgers (about 10oz each, bigger than your head!), hot dogs, and some baked beans. What to match with it? Some would say beer, but when you are in the mood for it, I am finding that there are few indulgences which are more enjoyable than a huge Aussie wine!
Decanted about three hours, the nose on this is dominated by cheddary oak, although there is an intense floral and berry element beneath this. The palate is just exploding with everything: gobs of fruit, oak, and alcohol. Remarkably smooth, concentrated, and voluptuous, this thing has a simply massive finish, enough to make your head pop. A minute later this wine is still hanging with you!
Unfortunately, right now this wine is still fairly disjointed. It has all sorts of good stuff, but it is all over the place. Right now I have 1/3 of a bottle left, and if it survives the night it will be interesting to see if this has settled down and integrated at all.
(DAY 2) The wood has settled down, and a spicy, peppery note has emerged. This is really lovely stuff, although I won't be in a hurry to drink my 2nd bottle. It has a long life ahead and still needs to settle down.
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6/1/2003 - buckeye76 wrote: 92 Points
JAMMY FRUIT, BLACK CHERRIES, RASPBERRIES, AND MINT IN THE NOSE. BLACK CHERRIES AND RASPBERRIES IN THE FLAVOR. MEDIUM TO LONG FINISH.
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12/2/2002 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($35) Served Blind - sweet smelling with a touch of funk. California? Sour fruit quality. Nice overall. As soon as the name was said, the apricots jump out of the glass and one realizes why it had that sour fruit quality.
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12/15/2001 - JeffGMorris wrote:
Decanted for 6 hours+. Nose of bright fruit with a hint of phenol (Band-Aid). Taste of black licorice and pepper with leather overtones. Very young with a great future ahead of it. Phenols also on the taste (Band-Aids).
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