Well, I obviously didn't (couldn't) wait another 5 years, as per my 2022 note, but with friends over from WA, I was keen to see if and by how much this wine had changed . . and the answer is not by much. Still very dense colour right to the rim; it's a definite black/red, much the same as previous bottle. I decanted it and there was a small amount of sediment, easily removed. What impressed me this time was the lovely aroma of Cabernet 'blackcurrant' that wafted up, more like what I'd expect from Coonawarra. Some nice French oak cedar character, light touch of chocolate, but really fine boned and velvety mid palate before firm but fine grained tannins still kick in. Oodles of rich fruit left and lovely balancing acidity for a 14.5% A/V wine, so the remaining bottles are definitely staying put now.
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Bought this several years ago and have been patiently waiting for it to open up. Incredibly dark black/red colour still, with a hint of browning at the edge, but not a worry. Very little sediment. Bouquet is redolent of dark berries with hints of cassis, chocolate and subtle oak. Beginning to enter its secondary phase - plenty of mid palate fruit richness and intensity. Tannins are well built into the wine, and while firmish still, with food (grilled eye fillet) they worked well. 3 bottles left and I'll give them another 5 years, given the power and alc level. Screw cap; 14.5% A/V
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Blackish red, edge still young. Bq w dark chocolate, blackberries, cedar, some herbal notes (oregano, eucalypthus). Medium+ body w nice sweet fruit on attack, finegrained tannins, rather high acidity. Some drying of the fruit in the aftertaste, but still good aftertaste. The high alcohol (14,5%) barely noticeable. Has begun its descent now.
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From magnum, had on my wedding night so notes are hazy. There was a bit left in the bottle the following day for us, so it was good to have a taste once the fog had cleared. Bright cherry, menthol, camphor, eucalypt, bell pepper, strawberry and thyme aromas. Quite complex, with a deep and dense mouthfeel. Long palate with fine, fine chalky tannins. Great acidity balancing out the weight on the palate. Mature and a pleasure to drink at it's apex.
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Nice purple hue, alcohol on nose with dark fruit. Medium weight dark fruit classic cab Sauvignon. Nice tannic balance. Surprisingly mellow. Very enjoyable.
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Deep red in the glass, the nose has wonderful Cabernet characters of blackberry, mint, olives and cedar. The palate is just starting to shine through after a few years in the bottle with blackberry, plum , ripe stems and subtle savoury oak. The wine has an exceptional tannin structure that frames the wine, giving it cellaring potential, the tannins however are not over extracting to the extent of the wine not being enjoyable in it's youth. On the finish the length is considerable , this wine has a long and illustrious career ahead of it. Review Link - www.winereviewer.com.au (drink by 2024)
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4/17/2024 - Neddy9 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Well, I obviously didn't (couldn't) wait another 5 years, as per my 2022 note, but with friends over from WA, I was keen to see if and by how much this wine had changed . . and the answer is not by much. Still very dense colour right to the rim; it's a definite black/red, much the same as previous bottle. I decanted it and there was a small amount of sediment, easily removed. What impressed me this time was the lovely aroma of Cabernet 'blackcurrant' that wafted up, more like what I'd expect from Coonawarra. Some nice French oak cedar character, light touch of chocolate, but really fine boned and velvety mid palate before firm but fine grained tannins still kick in. Oodles of rich fruit left and lovely balancing acidity for a 14.5% A/V wine, so the remaining bottles are definitely staying put now.
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9/7/2022 - Neddy9 wrote: 92 Points
Bought this several years ago and have been patiently waiting for it to open up. Incredibly dark black/red colour still, with a hint of browning at the edge, but not a worry. Very little sediment. Bouquet is redolent of dark berries with hints of cassis, chocolate and subtle oak. Beginning to enter its secondary phase - plenty of mid palate fruit richness and intensity. Tannins are well built into the wine, and while firmish still, with food (grilled eye fillet) they worked well. 3 bottles left and I'll give them another 5 years, given the power and alc level. Screw cap; 14.5% A/V
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9/21/2020 - chirp54 wrote: 93 Points
Gloriously rich and well-balanced.
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11/16/2019 - Michael Brooks Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep, rich flavours - cassis, prunes
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10/19/2019 - Leto South wrote: 89 Points
Blackish red, edge still young. Bq w dark chocolate, blackberries, cedar, some herbal notes (oregano, eucalypthus). Medium+ body w nice sweet fruit on attack, finegrained tannins, rather high acidity. Some drying of the fruit in the aftertaste, but still good aftertaste. The high alcohol (14,5%) barely noticeable. Has begun its descent now.
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10/17/2019 - Michael Brooks Likes this wine: 93 Points
Balanced red currents and spice with a nice finish
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5/4/2019 - PeterjW Likes this wine: 92 Points
smooth rich with good tannin back bone black fruit lasting on the palate
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6/20/2016 - Milliontown wrote: 94 Points
From magnum, had on my wedding night so notes are hazy. There was a bit left in the bottle the following day for us, so it was good to have a taste once the fog had cleared. Bright cherry, menthol, camphor, eucalypt, bell pepper, strawberry and thyme aromas. Quite complex, with a deep and dense mouthfeel. Long palate with fine, fine chalky tannins. Great acidity balancing out the weight on the palate. Mature and a pleasure to drink at it's apex.
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8/16/2013 - hitechnomad Likes this wine: 91 Points
it's Aussie Cab so it's not Bordeaux, but I found it restrained for what it is. Very nice
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8/11/2013 - finewinebuff57 wrote: 88 Points
Sweet Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon fruit - too 'sweet' for my taste, but time may help. Rich ripe, generous, rather one dimensional
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12/30/2012 - dfchivers wrote: 90 Points
Great flavor - big black fruits.
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8/9/2012 - forecaster wrote: 89 Points
RBNZ wine appreciation society - Cabernet blends (RBNZ): Heady nose, perhaps a bit overripe. A good wine, but too overripe for me. Reasonable length.
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7/28/2012 - Alexroy wrote: 91 Points
Nice purple hue, alcohol on nose with dark fruit. Medium weight dark fruit classic cab Sauvignon. Nice tannic balance. Surprisingly mellow. Very enjoyable.
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11/18/2011 - Alexroy wrote: 90 Points
Violets and menthol on nose, dark red colour, big, rich smooth, firm grippy tannins, muted fruits, good length.
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6/10/2011 - Alexroy wrote: 87 Points
Dark burgundy, fresh blackcurrent nose. Blackcurrent, butch Australian flavours, medium length tannic, few years left in this.
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1/14/2011 - Patrick - winereviewer.com.au wrote: 95 Points
Deep red in the glass, the nose has wonderful Cabernet characters of blackberry, mint, olives and cedar. The palate is just starting to shine through after a few years in the bottle with blackberry, plum , ripe stems and subtle savoury oak. The wine has an exceptional tannin structure that frames the wine, giving it cellaring potential, the tannins however are not over extracting to the extent of the wine not being enjoyable in it's youth. On the finish the length is considerable , this wine has a long and illustrious career ahead of it.
Review Link - www.winereviewer.com.au (drink by 2024)
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