Patch Manning

8.2

Pretty good. Citrus zest, rock melon and nectarine nose. Nice balance between minerality, cantaloupe, lemon and some oak sweetness at the finish. — 8 years ago

Patch Manning

9.0

Very good value. Dark ruby with some violet hues. Almost impenetrable. Very aromatic. Starting with classic cooking spices, then over time developing older ripe violets, Australian wild thyme and finally combining these with blueberry bubblegum. Palate has much of the same; cooking spices, thyme, Violets but with subtle cooking coco. Maybe mild to medium tannins after 6 years in the bottle and sumptuous mouth feel. — 8 years ago

Patch Manning

9.5

Fantastic wine!
Deep Ruby red. Incredibly aromatic with the nose evolving astoundingly over time. Make sure you follow its progress. Starting with lavender, dried violets and mint. Moving to a choc-mint and chutney and then cinnamon and mint. The palate also evolves with the nose. It lands with cooking chocolate, menthol and cooking spice with a full and luxurious mouth feel, surprisingly light tannins and mild acidity. It could probably pair slow cooked meets and root vegetables but I recommend you pair this wine only with good friends as an after dinner experience. — 8 years ago

Patch Manning

8.5

Good but not amazing. Lacked complexity and dimension. Pleasantly oaky, leather and medium tannins. Good with the usual fatty red meats. — 8 years ago

Patch Manning

8.6

Needs time to open up and get some air. Dark plum red color. Green peppers, cloves and leather on the nose. Red fruit, green peppers and a little white pepper to taste. Medium + tannins and medium acidity. At $20AUD very good value but a little disappointing for a 2005 vintage Coonawarra red. Seems to need more time in the cellar. Will be interesting in another 3-5 years. — 8 years ago

Patch Manning

7.5

Clear pale yellow with a hint of green. Classic Claire Valley Riesling nose of fresh cut garden hose or pool liner with a burnt rubber finish. Initially quite overwhelming acidity but this mellowed with air. Subtle Mellon with dominant grapefruit and a touch of green apple. A little too acidic and tart for me. Would probably pair well with seafood pasta and possibly some creamy cheeses. — 8 years ago

Patch Manning

9.5

Must decant/air for 3+ hrs.
Opens up to a sumptuous wine. Dark plum coloured. Earthen nose. Leather, must, dried violets but with subtle blue berries. Fantastic mouth feel. New world with forward fruits heavy and rich. Vanilla, licorice and cola. Medium plus tannins. Would not pair with rich meat or steak. Hard and semi-hard cheese should be good. — 8 years ago

Patch Manning

8.6

Dark velvety red. Starts very closed and takes a while to open up. Still pretty subdued. Cooking spice, chocolate and bacon on the nose. Blackberries, vanilla and subtle licorice palate. Moderate tannins and mild acidity. Good but does not stand out for a 2009 Australian red. Works very well with steak. — 8 years ago

Patch Manning

7.4

Disappointing — 8 years ago

Patch Manning

8.3

This rating system makes no sense. 3.5/5.
Classic Australian Riesling. Clear pale yellow green. Classic rubber or "fresh can of tennis balls" with subtle tropical fruits on the nose. Feels young and lively on the palate in spite of its7 years in the bottle thanks to some bright yet mild acidity. Some green apple and light grapefruit pith and some subtle honey dew Mellon sweetness. Would be good with oysters and spicy south East Asian cuisine. — 8 years ago