Jamie Lauder

9.3

2018 vintage.
Sourced from 6 blocks within the estate.
98 % Shiraz with 2 % Viognier.
Intense dark fruit, gentle spice, licorice, sweet black plums and a hint of black pepper on the finish.
Lovely, silky texture with well integrated tannins and beautifully balanced.
50 % whole berries, 20 % whole bunches, cold soaked then wild ferment in open tanks.
Aged 10 months on lees in French oak…20 % new.
This was a pleasure to enjoy with friends. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Many of you that see my posts know I don’t open a Napa Cabernet this young. However, this was selling at my Costco for $69.99. K&L Wine Merchants $99.99. Delectable at $115. So, I had to buy a four. I coravined this bottle for a Somm friend last weekend who likes his Napa reds young. 🤷‍♂️

While this has seen a bit of bottle evolution, it still needs another 6-8 yrs before I open another and has the potential to pick up another point or two then.

Nose shows; brambly blackberries, stewy black plum, black raspberries, darkest cherries, boysenberries and strawberries off the glass edges. Dry tobacco, leather, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon notes, vanilla, anise, dark, rich, turned earth and withering, dark, slightly candied flowers.

The palate expresses some evolution. It is rich, ripe; brambly blackberries, stewy black plum, black raspberries, darkest cherries, boysenberries, hints of blueberries and strawberries off the glass edges. Tarry, dry medium plus tannins. Dry tobacco, leather, dark spice with a touch of heat, mixed darker berry cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon notes, vanilla, black tea, anise, mixed fresh & drier herbs, dark, rich, turned earth, barrel shavings/dust, a hint of black pepper, moist, grey clay, dry top soil, dry river stone and withering, dark, red, slightly candied flowers with violets, very round, phat acidity with a well; balanced, big structured, tensioned, lush, elegant and nicely layered & polished finish that lasts a full 90 seconds. Still kind of in its primary stage.

This is made by Chris Carpenter who also makes; Lokoya, Cardinale, La Jota, Hickinbotham (Australia) made at Yangarra. Sofia & I tasted at Yangarra and after tasted his Hickinbotham with him in 2017.

Photos of; staff picking on Mount Veeder, Chris Carpenter in the cellar and scenic shot of Mount Veeder. — a year ago

Lyn Farmer

9.3

75 year old vines, dry farmed. Lovely evocation of Grenache, very well balanced with 13.5%abv. Real elegance on the palate with white pepper, Wild strawberry, plum, licorice. Medium tannin, medium acidity. Elegant and delicious — 5 years ago

James Burge

9.5

mclaren vale 2018 — 7 months ago

Kenneth

9.2

Smooth, med ruby, med to long finish, high acidity, elegant, smooth tannic, well balance, thought it was old world but it is AUD , JH99, $260hkd , good deal — 10 months ago

Jackie Ward

9.4

Slight tang, smooth, very good! Thank you Hemerson — 3 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

8.9

Lovely stuff. Beautifully balanced and deliciously versatile; a nice food friendly alternative to riesling and chardonnay. — 5 years ago

with Sam

Bob McDonald

9.5

A highly awarded Grenache from Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, possibly the best terroir for the varietal in Australia. Its gnarly old bush vines were planted in 1946. It is dry farmed on a 1.7 hectare block sitting on the deepest sand with the lowest vigour and yield. Not as raspberry as many Australian Grenache - more balanced, restrained and excellent. Wine of the Year at the 2020 Halliday Wine Awards receiving 99 points. On the medium weight palate red berries and cherry finishing with ultra fine tannins. Jancis made the comment, “Might give the odd cult Spanish wine a run for its money too.” — 10 months ago

Jan A

9.4

Whole bunch fermented. This was a big, dark spices dominated wine. Bitter chocolate, lavender, dense palate, long finish — 5 years ago

October Cleveland

9.1

Touted as their answer to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this blend is a rock solid showing from Yangarra. Alive but classic. — 5 years ago