2007 Vintage Tasting (Bronte, Sydney): dense and dark red. strong woody oak fragrance and some cabernet leafiness. more red berry fruit on the palate, finish though is rasping with oak tannins.
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Quite lovely right now. Balanced from nose through palate to the finish, the only complaint being that the finish is a bit short. Nose of subtle old leather, forest floor and black plums and berries, hint of sandalwood. Same on the palate, which has a velvet texture. Tannins fully integrated, structure still firm, replaying the palate in the black plum and berry category. Just great with a steak
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Very enjoyable. Plenty of dark fruit, bay leaves, tobacco and some dusty tannins. Slight bricking on the edges, but plenty of life left. Drink to 2022.
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Medium ruby colour, no tawny. nose of old fireplace char from burned eucalyptus. Palate dry with plenty of tannin. some dark fruit. plenty of length but some bitterness. Don't know if it needs more time or is falling apart.
I had heard great things about this wine, so my expectations were high. The first thing I noticed was the overwhelming oak - this was like cabernets produced 20 years ago. The next thing was a nasty tobacco aspect to the flavors - this REALLY was like some cheap cabernets produced 20 years ago!!
After about 10 minutes, these aspects faded. But the wine still seemed very disjointed and unbalanced. To me, this is a serious flaw. I tried it again with a few other meals, but I simply found it undrinkable. Very disappointing!
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This was okay but the fruit (mulberry and cherry) seems a little out of whack with the very forward menthol flavour which is customary in MR wines. The menthol slowly blended back into the wine, but was still there. I'll take a punt and say that it needs a bit more time, but not too much as the tannins are almost fully integrated. I'll try another bottle in November.
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Boy oh boy this is a well-made wine for 19.95 cents and I am sorry to report I have just one left from the six I bought three years ago. Total dark berry fruits and spice on the nose and palate with a muscular finish that seamlessly fills the mouth. One of my favorite wines ever. Have to get more of the 2008 before it is all gone! And, most pleasing, was the reaction of my friends who shared it with me. They were so pleased with it!!
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Gorgeous, bold, oaky with great fruit presence, Aussie red from Margaret River. This bottle showcases how wonderful the Margaret River wines (esp. 2007s) can be!
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Nice drink. Eaten with lamb roast which was a good match. While not super interesting, everything in balance. Nice fuit, full palate, dry finish. Great value at <20AUD.
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After a long hard week, I decided to try this as I'd given it away as a gift to colleagues last year. I'm glad I had picked it as it was delicious! Nice fruit on the nose without being overbearing. No overpowering astringent notes that I often find when first smelling. An appropriate amount of oak (and I don't like oak) to add flavour without detracting from the grape juice and sufficient tannins to remind you that it's a good Cab Sauv without punching you in the tongue and making you regret it. All in all, a good effort that drank well throughout the evening.
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This wine consistently gets big raves as a $20 Margaret River Cab. Much to oaked tannin driven for me, I think there is some good fruit in there somewhere, however I failed to find it this time. I the wines defence, this was an open and drink experience, no decant for opportunity to open up apart from the open time in the bottle.
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This is a terrific Cabernet from a lesser-known part of Australia. It had a great leathery, stone fruit flavor to it, without much oak, which is perfect for my palette. It also has a nice acidity to it and a tannic chalkiness on the back end.
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This will squeak in at 90 pts due to it's interest. Has what I refer to as South African funk (I guess I need to find new wording). Green pepper still very evident. A bit of a screwball but was very enjoyable.
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Colour - Medium purple. Not much gradation. Nose - Not alot of fruit. Meat. Abit cloying. Palette - Full body. Boysenberry, some off tastes. Full flavours, but not fine or delicate. Interesting I suppose, but also offputting. On reflection, flavours are not enjoyable. Same intensity as a super tuscan, but I prefer a good super tuscan.
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Strong oak, eucalyptus, cedar, black plum, current nose with perfumed incense and curry powder. Taste is smooth medium body with soft tannin and very easy drinking. Nice sour gummy candy finish with coffee latte character all over. Tobacco and cedar notes are apparent with black tea leaf at the back palate. Finish is short and has some sweetness to it. Lots of cherry and the wood is a bit on the strong side. Has great potential over time.
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After reading some of the reviews on this wine I was expecting a lot more. Instead what I got was a reserved nose and a green pepper taste with a short finish. Maybe it was an off bottle or maybe I needed to decant it longer then the 2 hours I did.
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Aroma of ripe, warm, green bell pepper and paprika followed by similar taste profile. Good weight but lacking in tannin and finish. Nice on it's own but I'm a food wine guy. Filled out a little overnight and was more enjoyable, making me think about getting some more. Avg QPR.
An exceptional wine for under 20.00. This is WAY better than a lot of 40.00 + wines I have had...wow. Intense ruby red colour with vibrant berry fruits on the palate. Smoke, chocolate and spices galore. Long finish. I'm stunned. This wine is a CRACKER!
Killer value. Textbook perfect expression of the cabernet grape with notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark fruit framed by polished tannin. Strong rebuy.
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LOVING the HUGE selection of wines available at the LCBO...generally speaking. All my dream wines are suddenly within reach and I am having difficulty convincing my Ottawa friends/family that I am not an alcoholic. To this end, tonight I am reviewing the luscious Ring Bolt from Margaret Valley. The Margaret River wine region is actually quite unique in that it is embraced by two oceans, the Indian and Southern.
This is a textured, supple and well-balanced Cab. My God it was delicious! On the nose we had lotsof features blackcurrant, black cherry, chocolate, licorice, eucalyptus and cedar. On the palate it was dry(er), full-bodied with silky tannins. I had this wine with a rack of ribs BUT we would LOVE to have it with lamb! If only this were available in Newfoundland...must smuggle a few bottles home in my luggage...Happy Canada Day everyone!
Davidson Rating Scale: 9.5 Cost: 19.95
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5/26/2022 - michael talbot wrote: 88 Points
Spot on
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4/11/2020 - Halfeel Likes this wine: 90 Points
The wine was properly cellared and still quite nice a few years past the expected drinking window and 11 years after its purchase date.
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9/8/2017 - Vini Ciclismo wrote: 86 Points
2007 Vintage Tasting (Bronte, Sydney): dense and dark red.
strong woody oak fragrance and some cabernet leafiness.
more red berry fruit on the palate, finish though is rasping with oak tannins.
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4/23/2017 - VinnieVeritas wrote: 90 Points
Quite lovely right now. Balanced from nose through palate to the finish, the only complaint being that the finish is a bit short.
Nose of subtle old leather, forest floor and black plums and berries, hint of sandalwood. Same on the palate, which has a velvet texture. Tannins fully integrated, structure still firm, replaying the palate in the black plum and berry category. Just great with a steak
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4/17/2016 - Julian B Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very enjoyable. Plenty of dark fruit, bay leaves, tobacco and some dusty tannins. Slight bricking on the edges, but plenty of life left. Drink to 2022.
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12/18/2015 - Wine Poor wrote: 88 Points
Drank these a while back and found them to be a good drink.
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5/26/2014 - Ben_C wrote:
Still to herbal on the finish. At odds with ripe fruit. Sweetened?
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12/27/2013 - johnn89 wrote: 85 Points
Medium ruby colour, no tawny. nose of old fireplace char from burned eucalyptus. Palate dry with plenty of tannin. some dark fruit. plenty of length but some bitterness. Don't know if it needs more time or is falling apart.
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7/13/2013 - Gritty Likes this wine: 90 Points
A complete wine for the price point. Nice balance of fruit, acid and tannin. Still has some time to go.
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9/21/2012 - rgrosz6 wrote: 84 Points
I had heard great things about this wine, so my expectations were high. The first thing I noticed was the overwhelming oak - this was like cabernets produced 20 years ago. The next thing was a nasty tobacco aspect to the flavors - this REALLY was like some cheap cabernets produced 20 years ago!!
After about 10 minutes, these aspects faded. But the wine still seemed very disjointed and unbalanced. To me, this is a serious flaw. I tried it again with a few other meals, but I simply found it undrinkable. Very disappointing!
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5/7/2012 - arthrovine wrote: 86 Points
Decent bottle. Coarse tannins and wood. Nice fruit and tobacco flavors.
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3/25/2012 - Julian B wrote: 89 Points
This was okay but the fruit (mulberry and cherry) seems a little out of whack with the very forward menthol flavour which is customary in MR wines. The menthol slowly blended back into the wine, but was still there. I'll take a punt and say that it needs a bit more time, but not too much as the tannins are almost fully integrated. I'll try another bottle in November.
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3/16/2012 - kdm wrote: 84 Points
This wine has IMHO fallen apart and the acidity is no longer balanced, even the oak seems rather coarse. Very disappointing.
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6/10/2011 - elevation02 wrote: 93 Points
Boy oh boy this is a well-made wine for 19.95 cents and I am sorry to report I have just one left from the six I bought three years ago. Total dark berry fruits and spice on the nose and palate with a muscular finish that seamlessly fills the mouth. One of my favorite wines ever. Have to get more of the 2008 before it is all gone! And, most pleasing, was the reaction of my friends who shared it with me. They were so pleased with it!!
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5/22/2011 - winelover1978 wrote: 94 Points
Gorgeous, bold, oaky with great fruit presence, Aussie red from Margaret River. This bottle showcases how wonderful the Margaret River wines (esp. 2007s) can be!
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3/16/2011 - Gritty wrote: 89 Points
Nice drink. Eaten with lamb roast which was a good match. While not super interesting, everything in balance. Nice fuit, full palate, dry finish. Great value at <20AUD.
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2/23/2011 - elevation02 wrote: 93 Points
My favorite, inexpensive Australian wine. Total cracker!!
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2/19/2011 - JeffC Likes this wine:
Amazing! The minerality is out of this world and there is a kiss of fruit that is delightful!
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12/17/2010 - Deputy Likes this wine: 88 Points
After a long hard week, I decided to try this as I'd given it away as a gift to colleagues last year. I'm glad I had picked it as it was delicious! Nice fruit on the nose without being overbearing. No overpowering astringent notes that I often find when first smelling. An appropriate amount of oak (and I don't like oak) to add flavour without detracting from the grape juice and sufficient tannins to remind you that it's a good Cab Sauv without punching you in the tongue and making you regret it. All in all, a good effort that drank well throughout the evening.
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11/26/2010 - belfast taxman wrote: 89 Points
full on fruit driven but not jammy with good depth - good VFM
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11/24/2010 - JustinMcDonald wrote:
This wine consistently gets big raves as a $20 Margaret River Cab. Much to oaked tannin driven for me, I think there is some good fruit in there somewhere, however I failed to find it this time. I the wines defence, this was an open and drink experience, no decant for opportunity to open up apart from the open time in the bottle.
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11/3/2010 - DC_EO wrote: 89 Points
This is a terrific Cabernet from a lesser-known part of Australia. It had a great leathery, stone fruit flavor to it, without much oak, which is perfect for my palette. It also has a nice acidity to it and a tannic chalkiness on the back end.
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10/24/2010 - Canuck99 wrote:
Great wine hope 2008 is as good.
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10/11/2010 - elevation02 wrote: 94 Points
Just keeps getting better!!
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8/27/2010 - belfast taxman wrote: 87 Points
Interesting comparison with the D'Arenberg - drier and a lot more subtle on the fruit front
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7/3/2010 - elevation02 wrote: 92 Points
Exceptional for the price!
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7/1/2010 - lumpyelbow wrote: 90 Points
This will squeak in at 90 pts due to it's interest. Has what I refer to as South African funk (I guess I need to find new wording). Green pepper still very evident. A bit of a screwball but was very enjoyable.
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5/15/2010 - cellier wrote: 89 Points
Excellent. Full bodied.
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5/3/2010 - Jhcwine Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Colour - Medium purple. Not much gradation. Nose - Not alot of fruit. Meat. Abit cloying. Palette - Full body. Boysenberry, some off tastes. Full flavours, but not fine or delicate. Interesting I suppose, but also offputting. On reflection, flavours are not enjoyable. Same intensity as a super tuscan, but I prefer a good super tuscan.
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5/1/2010 - Corgoson wrote: 90 Points
Strong oak, eucalyptus, cedar, black plum, current nose with perfumed incense and curry powder. Taste is smooth medium body with soft tannin and very easy drinking. Nice sour gummy candy finish with coffee latte character all over. Tobacco and cedar notes are apparent with black tea leaf at the back palate. Finish is short and has some sweetness to it. Lots of cherry and the wood is a bit on the strong side. Has great potential over time.
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4/23/2010 - FormerWineSnob wrote: 86 Points
After reading some of the reviews on this wine I was expecting a lot more. Instead what I got was a reserved nose and a green pepper taste with a short finish. Maybe it was an off bottle or maybe I needed to decant it longer then the 2 hours I did.
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3/24/2010 - lumpyelbow wrote:
Aroma of ripe, warm, green bell pepper and paprika followed by similar taste profile. Good weight but lacking in tannin and finish. Nice on it's own but I'm a food wine guy. Filled out a little overnight and was more enjoyable, making me think about getting some more. Avg QPR.
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3/16/2010 - GregGH wrote: 87 Points
something off on this - have had it before - but this bottle is not up to par - hard to describe - overly smokey and acidic
Day 2 - mellowing out - will get more and see what cellar time does
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3/12/2010 - mrpalmer wrote: 92 Points
Exceptional value! Nice Cab, maybe slightly too acidic in the balance, but good structure and finish.
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1/10/2010 - elevation02 wrote: 93 Points
An exceptional wine for under 20.00. This is WAY better than a lot of 40.00 + wines I have had...wow. Intense ruby red colour with vibrant berry fruits on the palate. Smoke, chocolate and spices galore. Long finish. I'm stunned. This wine is a CRACKER!
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1/7/2010 - vancouvermatt wrote: 91 Points
Killer value. Textbook perfect expression of the cabernet grape with notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark fruit framed by polished tannin. Strong rebuy.
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11/9/2009 - JPoll wrote: 91 Points
Have to find more of this!!!
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7/1/2009 - elevation02 wrote: 95 Points
LOVING the HUGE selection of wines available at the LCBO...generally speaking. All my dream wines are suddenly within reach and I am having difficulty convincing my Ottawa friends/family that I am not an alcoholic. To this end, tonight I am reviewing the luscious Ring Bolt from Margaret Valley. The Margaret River wine region is actually quite unique in that it is embraced by two oceans, the Indian and Southern.
This is a textured, supple and well-balanced Cab. My God it was delicious! On the nose we had lotsof features blackcurrant, black cherry, chocolate, licorice, eucalyptus and cedar. On the palate it was dry(er), full-bodied with silky tannins. I had this wine with a rack of ribs BUT we would LOVE to have it with lamb! If only this were available in Newfoundland...must smuggle a few bottles home in my luggage...Happy Canada Day everyone!
Davidson Rating Scale: 9.5
Cost: 19.95
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4/22/2009 - h2o wrote: 90 Points
with prime rib
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3/17/2009 - Double-A Likes this wine: 85 Points
Currant, black pepper, bell pepper and earth nose. Good body and grip; long peppery finish.
3/5
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