Fading but still a surprisingly nice pairing with grilled steak after 11 years. Decanted for about 45 minutes before serving. Nose was faint but floral. Color was clear brick with pale edges. Pleasant red fruit on the palate, dry and slightly tart. Medium finish.
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I was a little scared to open this bottle tonight. I mean it's 8 years old.. But OMG I have no regrets. It tastes amazing. I almost dumped it out but I had to taste test it and I'm glad I did.
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Opened the wine with a back up on hand as it had been cellared for a bit too long. When we opened it it was a sharp to the nose and tongue but after breathing for 30 minutes the sharpness was gone and was followed by a more complex profile. The garnet-y purple color was pleasant and it went well with company conversation and appetizers. We did not need to open the back-up bottle I brought up 'just in case'...
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A decent example that these relatively simple, affordable Aussie Shiraz can age a little if kept in a decent environment. This one was basically forgotten laying on its side in the corner of a wine store for a few years. Popping the cork revealed a slight amount of bottle funk that dissipated in a few seconds. The youthful fruity exuberance has matured into relatively balanced, well made wine that isn't going to win many awards, but is tasty and satisfying for what it is. Surprising dark color. Still some fruit on the nose, but more of an earthy cola and tar thing, with a hint of violets. You can tell this is softly handled, rotary fermented fruit with just a touch of sweetness, but it works. Close to full bodied, completely coats the mouth with Shiraz, grapey blueberry flavors. Can't tell much about the oak. Moderate tannins. Even the alcohol has successfully inegrated. The finish is showing the emergence of some secondary cola, graphite and grainy flavors.
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Decanted with the Vinturi and allowed to breathe 50 minutes. Nose: Modest fruit which held up over the next 70 minutes. Color: Nice purple. Body: Medium - Taste: Nice dark fruit and cherry on entry followed by subtle structure. On the fruit bomb- oak bomb continuum, certainly favors the fruit bomb end, but isn't overly jammy or cloying. Finish: Nice finish, albeit modest in length. No off-notes. Overall: Not bad for $7; a decent effort given the price, thus offering good QPR. We'll continue sampling this and subsequent vintages when it's on sale.
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This wine is aromatic with fruits of black cherry or blackberry. Soft tannins and low acidity make it good for a beginning red drinker, however some might say it does not have enough character. Better than average and a good value at that.
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Dark red; warm and oaky, spicy, strong and earthy; very spicy taste with pepper, warm tannins, oak and long. Requires somewhat spicy pasta, meat or stew.
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A solid, well-made wine of excellent value (on sale for $7, now $6). Has robust nature typical of many Australian shiraz. Peppery presence matches well with mole con pollo. Also enjoyable by itself.
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The others who have rated this wine have clearly drunk it the minute they opened it, I also question whether this was their first bottle. Let this wine stand for 5-10mins in generous red wine glasses and while slightly acidic on the nose, the plumb flavours and peperry finish will send your imagination wild.
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12/22/2018 - smcisaac Likes this wine: 87 Points
Fading but still a surprisingly nice pairing with grilled steak after 11 years. Decanted for about 45 minutes before serving. Nose was faint but floral. Color was clear brick with pale edges. Pleasant red fruit on the palate, dry and slightly tart. Medium finish.
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11/14/2015 - Lindsey_loves_turquoise Likes this wine: 100 Points
I was a little scared to open this bottle tonight. I mean it's 8 years old.. But OMG I have no regrets. It tastes amazing. I almost dumped it out but I had to taste test it and I'm glad I did.
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1/6/2014 - GypsyGene Likes this wine: 88 Points
Opened the wine with a back up on hand as it had been cellared for a bit too long. When we opened it it was a sharp to the nose and tongue but after breathing for 30 minutes the sharpness was gone and was followed by a more complex profile. The garnet-y purple color was pleasant and it went well with company conversation and appetizers. We did not need to open the back-up bottle I brought up 'just in case'...
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8/23/2013 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 85 Points
A decent example that these relatively simple, affordable Aussie Shiraz can age a little if kept in a decent environment. This one was basically forgotten laying on its side in the corner of a wine store for a few years. Popping the cork revealed a slight amount of bottle funk that dissipated in a few seconds. The youthful fruity exuberance has matured into relatively balanced, well made wine that isn't going to win many awards, but is tasty and satisfying for what it is. Surprising dark color. Still some fruit on the nose, but more of an earthy cola and tar thing, with a hint of violets. You can tell this is softly handled, rotary fermented fruit with just a touch of sweetness, but it works. Close to full bodied, completely coats the mouth with Shiraz, grapey blueberry flavors. Can't tell much about the oak. Moderate tannins. Even the alcohol has successfully inegrated. The finish is showing the emergence of some secondary cola, graphite and grainy flavors.
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12/30/2012 - griffinld wrote: 80 Points
- Violet color with slow forming legs - Not very good, used for cooking after trying to drink
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12/20/2011 - pdollander wrote: 80 Points
Good value
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2/27/2011 - Terry135 wrote: 72 Points
bitter
Didn't really like it.
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1/5/2011 - boldntannic wrote: 85 Points
Decanted with the Vinturi and allowed to breathe 50 minutes.
Nose: Modest fruit which held up over the next 70 minutes.
Color: Nice purple.
Body: Medium -
Taste: Nice dark fruit and cherry on entry followed by subtle structure. On the fruit bomb- oak bomb continuum, certainly favors the fruit bomb end, but isn't overly jammy or cloying.
Finish: Nice finish, albeit modest in length. No off-notes.
Overall: Not bad for $7; a decent effort given the price, thus offering good QPR. We'll continue sampling this and subsequent vintages when it's on sale.
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4/16/2010 - rrtims wrote: 83 Points
OK. Average shiraz, but pretty good for the price
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3/21/2010 - rrtims wrote: 84 Points
Not bad. Fruity and not too heavy.
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2/1/2010 - bbuck wrote: 85 Points
This wine is aromatic with fruits of black cherry or blackberry. Soft tannins and low acidity make it good for a beginning red drinker, however some might say it does not have enough character. Better than average and a good value at that.
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1/16/2010 - janim wrote: 83 Points
Dark red; warm and oaky, spicy, strong and earthy; very spicy taste with pepper, warm tannins, oak and long. Requires somewhat spicy pasta, meat or stew.
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1/10/2010 - srourke wrote: 79 Points
Very little fruit with little to know finish or complexity. An average shiraz but not as good as other similarly priced bottles.
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11/22/2009 - VinoGalore wrote: 88 Points
A solid, well-made wine of excellent value (on sale for $7, now $6). Has robust nature typical of many Australian shiraz. Peppery presence matches well with mole con pollo. Also enjoyable by itself.
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8/6/2009 - Tel Fast wrote: 88 Points
The others who have rated this wine have clearly drunk it the minute they opened it, I also question whether this was their first bottle. Let this wine stand for 5-10mins in generous red wine glasses and while slightly acidic on the nose, the plumb flavours and peperry finish will send your imagination wild.
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8/4/2009 - J Pas wrote: 80 Points
Big fruit, acidic, not as good as some in past
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5/6/2009 - emon87 wrote: 79 Points
Decent, not strong flavored
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4/18/2009 - Rynoh wrote: 75 Points
Tasted very acidic up front and somewhat thin. A disappointment!
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3/28/2009 - DrPete wrote: 89 Points
A nice, fruity, balanced wine with a medium finish. A perfect accompaniment for homemade pizza...
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3/15/2009 - Hueg wrote: 89 Points
Another bigger style that I've learned to expect from Australia. Not to my tastes, but decent and many others liked it a lot.
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1/25/2009 - guman wrote: 82 Points
Nice nose, deep color and smooth drinking, but alittle tart on the tongue and not much of a finish.
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