Surprisingly lovely even without decanting. We pretty much drank this straight out of the bottle at a last minute dinner. Was very nice from the get-go, which is amazing considering its age. Would have expected some funkiness before it had a chance to open but it was quite nice. Lots of leather and smokiness on the bouquet and palate. Some vanilla and cherry notes and soft tannins. Spice is nice and pronounced and lovely finish. I didn’t catch the licorice but that might be because we didn’t let the bottle open long enough and drank it up within an hour or so. Very nice. Glad we have a couple bottles left. I was surprised this was a 94! It didn’t taste old like some bottles invariably do. We have a few more Orlando’s, a Jacaranda Ridge and a St. Hugo Cabernet. I think Orlando was bought out by Jacobs Creek, who, at times, has had a good vintage or two of relatively inexpensive wines.
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Mort du Canard (Dave's place, Banksia): Vanilla, coconut, peppery spice under black cherry and berry, cream and slight hints of wood glue. With time it reveals raisins and chocolate. In the mouth there is peppery spice, plentiful warm, jammy black fruits, lots of alcohol that lends a certain juiciness. There is a touch of leather here as well which the only indicator (along with the softness of the tannins) to show any age.
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Estella's 50th Birthday (Ben and Estella's place, Parramatta): Vanilla & cream over blackberry. Oxidative notes, earthy and leathery notes as well…all translates to the palate the tannins are muted and, well, pretty much resolved but this is a very nice wine.
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March Dinner Offline: Still ruby red coloured. Herb, floral, ash and light chocolate on the nose. Still has the elements of sweet fruit on the palate, the herbs also show up lightly and give it some interest. Really good length. Excellent!
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10/21/2021 - Meeshka Likes this wine: 91 Points
Surprisingly lovely even without decanting. We pretty much drank this straight out of the bottle at a last minute dinner. Was very nice from the get-go, which is amazing considering its age. Would have expected some funkiness before it had a chance to open but it was quite nice. Lots of leather and smokiness on the bouquet and palate. Some vanilla and cherry notes and soft tannins. Spice is nice and pronounced and lovely finish. I didn’t catch the licorice but that might be because we didn’t let the bottle open long enough and drank it up within an hour or so. Very nice. Glad we have a couple bottles left. I was surprised this was a 94! It didn’t taste old like some bottles invariably do. We have a few more Orlando’s, a Jacaranda Ridge and a St. Hugo Cabernet. I think Orlando was bought out by Jacobs Creek, who, at times, has had a good vintage or two of relatively inexpensive wines.
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12/23/2018 - phill mz Likes this wine:
Still youthful dense dark cherry skin red. Spice, vanilla, red liquorice. Length and width on palate. Superb wine. Drank well over 3 days.
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9/25/2017 - chatters wrote:
Mort du Canard (Dave's place, Banksia): Vanilla, coconut, peppery spice under black cherry and berry, cream and slight hints of wood glue. With time it reveals raisins and chocolate. In the mouth there is peppery spice, plentiful warm, jammy black fruits, lots of alcohol that lends a certain juiciness. There is a touch of leather here as well which the only indicator (along with the softness of the tannins) to show any age.
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2/18/2017 - chatters wrote:
Estella's 50th Birthday (Ben and Estella's place, Parramatta): Vanilla & cream over blackberry. Oxidative notes, earthy and leathery notes as well…all translates to the palate the tannins are muted and, well, pretty much resolved but this is a very nice wine.
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3/4/2015 - CamWheeler wrote: 92 Points
March Dinner Offline: Still ruby red coloured. Herb, floral, ash and light chocolate on the nose. Still has the elements of sweet fruit on the palate, the herbs also show up lightly and give it some interest. Really good length. Excellent!
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