Classic stewed fruits style Shiraz. rich, gooey, but intriguing, showing some age, stewed notes, well-integrated oak, intense yet soft creamy, melts in your mouth. Great for the right new world occasion. Four Seasons Beverly Hills Somm party.
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Plum nose which dies off. A tad acidic and bitter in the mouth (not tannins) but still a lot of fruit. Big mouthfeel, strawberry and raisins. Not quite holding together. I think this might be near the end of its run. Disappointing as I've had some wonderful Commands.
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Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
≈75 min decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then capped; A *bit* of very, VERY fine sediment noted @ the bottom of the pitcher; Private Preserve after Day 1.
N: Mint, poss some eucalyptus, with undertones of blk cherries & a distinct earthiness
P: LM body; Nice, almost swtish frt met by a zesty astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it seamlessly transitions into a very LONG, attractively tangy/SWT finish with pretty much resolved tannins, the wine firming/cleansing with its acidity. Best with the Coq Au Vin, adequate with the German Beef Rouladen, Creamed Kraut (HmMd), & Rosti Potatoes.
// Day 2: Today some notes of smoke with the mint, etc., P now showing an elegant BALANCE, not having fallen off in the slightest! SLIGHTLY better by itself than with the Grilled Lamb Chops, Scalloped Potatoes, & Spanakopita.
// ∑: 14.5% ABV; My EXC (92,93/100 using that metric) for this elegant wine to drink now & through '25, very likely longer.
FYI: This bottle had < "ideal" storage. Also tasted on 6/24/17 & 10/13/19.
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From 375ml, not my favourite expression of Syrah grape but quite true to form for a Barossa Shiraz and can see why others like it more - for me the warmth and ripeness comes through and affects the wine a bit - aromas of blackberry, plum, chocolate and figs. A satisfying drink in the style overall.
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≈1:45 hr decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then closed; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
N: Slightly closed; Blk olives, ripe berries, earth, the last pushing its way to the top over time; Hints of choc?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish, choc tinged frt met by an astringent PUCKER which slowly, fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, balanced finish with an elegant tangy/swtness to the few, firming, somewhat dusty tannins. While this went adequately with the night's BBQ, it wasn't the BEST pairing for this wine. Also, the relatives were NOT particularly impressed, apparently not appreciating the elegance. // Day 4: N: Slightly closed; Iron, earth ripe berries; P: The *elegance* of this carries the day; Noting choc once again with the frt; ∑: My EXC-/EXC, & while certainly nice, it's not now, IMHO, a "special" enough wine to justify the price. :( [Or, was I expecting/DEMANDING something at least a BIT more flamboyant?] At any rate, I'll likely wait ≈12-18 mos before opening our remaining bottle, sans info from cellartrackers to make me want to amend that. ;) [As of late Oct '19 wine-searcher still shows 2 U.S. sources @ $90 & $100.]
FYI: This bottle had < "ideal" storage. Also, 1st tasted on 6/24/17
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Half bottle, screw cap. Medium red very clean to edges. Lovely sweet nose, both oak and sweet fruit aromas. A moorish mouthful, showing no evidence of 14.5 per cent alcohol.oak and fruit well integrated. Very Barossan in a good way. Drinking beautifully now and no need to hurry through stock.
Decided not to rate is as I rated it 92 a year ago and was hoping to re rate as I watched how it evolved - but this bottle I grabbed this week (375 from Watson's HK) isn't flawed but isn't right either.
The palate is broad and hints and plenty of chocolate fruit but is being overwhelmed by something metallic and bordering rancid. Damn.
Needs more time, lot of fruit but smooth and not a fruit bomb, just felt to fresh and ripe for what it is, one of my favorite wineries when I was in Aus. Second bottle on 26/11/18 more integrated, still fresh and smooth, nice wine and improving.
This was quite different from any other vintage of Command I have tasted. Decanted 3 hours prior. Colour looks more like 10+ years old, clear but not deep. Nose somewhat closed, missing the usual boot polish. On the palate more restrained and refined. Pleasant enough drinking but not what I expected. Unsure where it will go.
N: Jammy, toasty, yet with a mineral aspect; Intensity lurking!
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (very, VERY slightly hot?) met by some mid-P pucker which, fairly seamlessly, MOSTLY resolves by the quite LONG, ult very, VERY slightly bitterswt finish. MARVELOUS stuff which, while approachable now, DESERVES through '20 & will likely at least flirt with its 15th. 97 pts James Halliday, 95-97 WA, 93 WS, 92 RJonWine, 91 Wine & Spirits, and 90 ea The Wine Front & WE with a "Cellar Selection" @ $100. [Now unavail @ the tasted $77.95, as of early Feb '19 wine-searcher still shows 2 U.S. sources @ $90 & $100.]
In a flight of 12 Shiraz at the blind stage this was my favourite above the Grange 12. Also preferred to the Rockford basketpress 10. Minty rather than eucy. Very attractive. Subtle flash of vanilla pod on the 3rd taste.
First night family holiday in HK and great to see Watson's are still stocking the almight Command.
This never disapoints and is always a great bottle for the value. It drinks well young, but to see its potential give it 10 years to rival bottles costing multiples more.
At this stage there's warm ripe chocolate coated fruit enveloped in halogenic black magic. More like a brash (but completely awesome) hedonistic Mclaren Mollydooker than a Barossa landscape masterpiece.
In the future I can see this potentially being a 95pt wine if it can grow out of its adolescent overripeness and settle down.
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A big and tall Shiraz, from Barossa. Yum! It is a full-bodied wine but not heavy. It is spicy and earthy and contains layers of red cherries, liquorice, leather, and some wild flower aromas. Its tannins are firm but not clawing. Ready to drink now, but will continue to improve in the cellar. Would make a beautiful gift.
A Matter of Taste (Meritage Resort & Spa Napa, CA): 94+ Not sure if it was due to the massive amount of cabs I had tasted prior or what, but not only did this stand out as a solid quality wine, it wasn't the giant fruit bomb I was expecting. Had an herbal quality which I thought nicely accented the dark fruit base and a slight austerity that I really enjoyed. Should be better with some more time on its back.
Blackberry and silly-puddy nose. Glycerined, briny fruit texture but as with so many Aussies now, high, unbalanced acidity. And I used to think so highly of this wine... 2.5/5
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This has quite a muted nose - probably due to its youth. Almost herbal flavours (but in a good way) with chocolate, blueberries and plums. Great complexity and structure, with a little caramel. The wine starts quite dry, gets a little sweeter in the mid palate, but finishes nice and dry. Enjoyed this a lot.
A Matter of Taste tasting (London, Saatchi Gallery): Beautifully ripe mainly red berry fruits, beautiful sweet spiciness, good acidity and soft and round tannin. Still very youthful. Wait until 2020+. 93++
7/18/2022 - peternelson Likes this wine: 92 Points
Classic stewed fruits style Shiraz. rich, gooey, but intriguing, showing some age, stewed notes, well-integrated oak, intense yet soft creamy, melts in your mouth. Great for the right new world occasion. Four Seasons Beverly Hills Somm party.
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6/2/2021 - Winevestor wrote: 89 Points
Plum nose which dies off. A tad acidic and bitter in the mouth (not tannins) but still a lot of fruit. Big mouthfeel, strawberry and raisins. Not quite holding together. I think this might be near the end of its run. Disappointing as I've had some wonderful Commands.
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3/6/2021 - srh Likes this wine:
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
≈75 min decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then capped; A *bit* of very, VERY fine sediment noted @ the bottom of the pitcher; Private Preserve after Day 1.
N: Mint, poss some eucalyptus, with undertones of blk cherries & a distinct earthiness
P: LM body; Nice, almost swtish frt met by a zesty astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it seamlessly transitions into a very LONG, attractively tangy/SWT finish with pretty much resolved tannins, the wine firming/cleansing with its acidity. Best with the Coq Au Vin, adequate with the German Beef Rouladen, Creamed Kraut (HmMd), & Rosti Potatoes.
// Day 2: Today some notes of smoke with the mint, etc., P now showing an elegant BALANCE, not having fallen off in the slightest! SLIGHTLY better by itself than with the Grilled Lamb Chops, Scalloped Potatoes, & Spanakopita.
// ∑: 14.5% ABV; My EXC (92,93/100 using that metric) for this elegant wine to drink now & through '25, very likely longer.
FYI: This bottle had < "ideal" storage. Also tasted on 6/24/17 & 10/13/19.
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2/2/2020 - il_diavolo wrote: 89 Points
From 375ml, not my favourite expression of Syrah grape but quite true to form for a Barossa Shiraz and can see why others like it more - for me the warmth and ripeness comes through and affects the wine a bit - aromas of blackberry, plum, chocolate and figs. A satisfying drink in the style overall.
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10/13/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
≈1:45 hr decant into a plastic, cylindrical pitcher which was then closed; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
N: Slightly closed; Blk olives, ripe berries, earth, the last pushing its way to the top over time; Hints of choc?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish, choc tinged frt met by an astringent PUCKER which slowly, fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, balanced finish with an elegant tangy/swtness to the few, firming, somewhat dusty tannins. While this went adequately with the night's BBQ, it wasn't the BEST pairing for this wine. Also, the relatives were NOT particularly impressed, apparently not appreciating the elegance. // Day 4: N: Slightly closed; Iron, earth ripe berries; P: The *elegance* of this carries the day; Noting choc once again with the frt; ∑: My EXC-/EXC, & while certainly nice, it's not now, IMHO, a "special" enough wine to justify the price. :( [Or, was I expecting/DEMANDING something at least a BIT more flamboyant?] At any rate, I'll likely wait ≈12-18 mos before opening our remaining bottle, sans info from cellartrackers to make me want to amend that. ;) [As of late Oct '19 wine-searcher still shows 2 U.S. sources @ $90 & $100.]
FYI: This bottle had < "ideal" storage. Also, 1st tasted on 6/24/17
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2/20/2019 - JH@B Likes this wine: 93 Points
Half bottle, screw cap. Medium red very clean to edges. Lovely sweet nose, both oak and sweet fruit aromas. A moorish mouthful, showing no evidence of 14.5 per cent alcohol.oak and fruit well integrated. Very Barossan in a good way. Drinking beautifully now and no need to hurry through stock.
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4/12/2018 - SlimShaney wrote:
Decided not to rate is as I rated it 92 a year ago and was hoping to re rate as I watched how it evolved - but this bottle I grabbed this week (375 from Watson's HK) isn't flawed but isn't right either.
The palate is broad and hints and plenty of chocolate fruit but is being overwhelmed by something metallic and bordering rancid. Damn.
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12/17/2017 - angelcyn Likes this wine: 91 Points
Needs more time, lot of fruit but smooth and not a fruit bomb, just felt to fresh and ripe for what it is, one of my favorite wineries when I was in Aus.
Second bottle on 26/11/18 more integrated, still fresh and smooth, nice wine and improving.
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7/16/2017 - rossso Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was quite different from any other vintage of Command I have tasted. Decanted 3 hours prior. Colour looks more like 10+ years old, clear but not deep. Nose somewhat closed, missing the usual boot polish. On the palate more restrained and refined. Pleasant enough drinking but not what I expected. Unsure where it will go.
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6/24/2017 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whts, & 6 Reds] from 06/23/2017 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Unknown clone of Shiraz planted in 1894 in deep alluvial silt over red & brown earth & limestone, classed as a centenarian block by the Barossa Old Vine Charter; "Vine spacing 1.5m, Row Width 3m E to W Row Direction, ave yield 1-2 t/ha." 14.5% ABV
N: Jammy, toasty, yet with a mineral aspect; Intensity lurking!
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (very, VERY slightly hot?) met by some mid-P pucker which, fairly seamlessly, MOSTLY resolves by the quite LONG, ult very, VERY slightly bitterswt finish. MARVELOUS stuff which, while approachable now, DESERVES through '20 & will likely at least flirt with its 15th. 97 pts James Halliday, 95-97 WA, 93 WS, 92 RJonWine, 91 Wine & Spirits, and 90 ea The Wine Front & WE with a "Cellar Selection" @ $100. [Now unavail @ the tasted $77.95, as of early Feb '19 wine-searcher still shows 2 U.S. sources @ $90 & $100.]
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4/13/2017 - Edeon Likes this wine: 97 Points
In a flight of 12 Shiraz at the blind stage this was my favourite above the Grange 12. Also preferred to the Rockford basketpress 10. Minty rather than eucy. Very attractive. Subtle flash of vanilla pod on the 3rd taste.
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4/3/2017 - SlimShaney Likes this wine: 92 Points
First night family holiday in HK and great to see Watson's are still stocking the almight Command.
This never disapoints and is always a great bottle for the value. It drinks well young, but to see its potential give it 10 years to rival bottles costing multiples more.
At this stage there's warm ripe chocolate coated fruit enveloped in halogenic black magic. More like a brash (but completely awesome) hedonistic Mclaren Mollydooker than a Barossa landscape masterpiece.
In the future I can see this potentially being a 95pt wine if it can grow out of its adolescent overripeness and settle down.
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12/17/2016 - Pegasys wrote: 93 Points
A big and tall Shiraz, from Barossa. Yum! It is a full-bodied wine but not heavy. It is spicy and earthy and contains layers of red cherries, liquorice, leather, and some wild flower aromas. Its tannins are firm but not clawing. Ready to drink now, but will continue to improve in the cellar. Would make a beautiful gift.
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11/5/2016 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 94 Points
A Matter of Taste (Meritage Resort & Spa Napa, CA): 94+ Not sure if it was due to the massive amount of cabs I had tasted prior or what, but not only did this stand out as a solid quality wine, it wasn't the giant fruit bomb I was expecting. Had an herbal quality which I thought nicely accented the dark fruit base and a slight austerity that I really enjoyed. Should be better with some more time on its back.
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11/1/2016 - Double-A wrote: 85 Points
Blackberry and silly-puddy nose. Glycerined, briny fruit texture but as with so many Aussies now, high, unbalanced acidity. And I used to think so highly of this wine...
2.5/5
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4/5/2016 - Andrew67 Likes this wine: 94 Points
This has quite a muted nose - probably due to its youth. Almost herbal flavours (but in a good way) with chocolate, blueberries and plums. Great complexity and structure, with a little caramel. The wine starts quite dry, gets a little sweeter in the mid palate, but finishes nice and dry. Enjoyed this a lot.
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2/28/2015 - Zweder wrote: 93 Points
A Matter of Taste tasting (London, Saatchi Gallery): Beautifully ripe mainly red berry fruits, beautiful sweet spiciness, good acidity and soft and round tannin. Still very youthful. Wait until 2020+. 93++
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