See previous note in August 2022. Vines planted in 1961 in the Eden Valley. A fuller riper style than the usual Pewsey Vale - still finishing dry. Aromatics of Lemon and Lime. The terroir and the quality of the fruit showing through. Not a hint of TDN (Kerosene/Petrol) showing through. Could cellar for another 3 to 4 years if desired up to its 10th birthday. — 3 months ago
Very dark in colour - almost black. Lots of everything - ripeness, oak, blackberry, dark chocolate. The sort of wine I would have loved in my 20’s, not so much in my 70’s. Not for lovers of delicate wine - this is full throttle. This Australian producer is probably better known in the USA than Australia - like Mollydooker. A full bodied palate with M plus intensity and grainy tannins. Ranked No. 3 in Wine Spectators Top 100 wines of 2012. Not sure that extended cellaring will make a huge difference but will try to have the last one in early 2027. — 19 days ago
One of my favorite GSM blends. Gloriously rich and spicy. Still years of life left. — 2 months ago
Deep and dense. Great smell. Smooth. — 15 days ago
Medium straw lemon , with hint of green . Shows a touch of age with slight petrol notes along with the lemongrass , smoky , spicy , ripe apple . On the palate good density , with a creamy richness , those lemongrass , ripe apple , slightly spicy notes . Slightly rich and weighty though with lovely balanced acidity and good length . Really good now though can go a further 5-8 years without too much problem — 2 months ago
Concentrated extract. Nearly pitch black in the glass. Takes an hour to come to complete expression with layers of dark red fruit of cherry and plum soaked in spice. Remained very centered on the palette and settled in a complex, layered finish. Since we have been in Australia for more than six weeks I have to use the cricket lingo: this wine was all about ‘Lane and Length’. Much, much enjoyed it. Blew my head off. — 5 months ago
Bob McDonald
Still a very dense crimson with no tawny rim, at 28 years of age but the tawniness is beginning. A certain feral, Animale, earthy note. Palate is ultra smooth, medium bodied / very savoury yet with a sweetish earthy note with a hint of raspberry. Jancis Robinson was invited by Stephen Henschke to a vertical tasting at the winery in May 2013 to cover vintages back to the late 1950’s. She described the 1996 as “pure hedonism “ and gave it 19/20. Medium plus intensity on the delicious palate with those gnarled old 150 year vines showing through. An absolutely stunning wine - one of the best we’ve had this year. — 3 days ago