Bob McDonald

9.8

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 160 year vines showing through. An absolutely stunning wine - one of the best we’ve had this year. — 10 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

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 — 3 months ago

Riccardo L.

9.0

My favourite of the field in a blind tasting - fruitier than you’d think. Smoother than you’d think. But no one else here thought so. I’m broken. — 5 months ago

Tobin Spratte

9.3

The many types of oak create a lot of classic cab and Shiraz notes that evolve in the glass--black currant, graphite, clay, black pepper, cocoa, dill, vanilla. Plush blackberry jam on the palette. Super soft tannins typical of South Australia reds that barely need time to breathe. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

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. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

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

Doug Powers

9.1

Ripe, redfruited, earthy southern Rhône-style blend, smooth and rich, medium-long finish, needs a few years of cellaring, very nice!! — 15 days ago

with Jim

Rebecca Timberlake

9.2

Deep and dense. Great smell. Smooth. — 22 days ago

Ross Bathgate

9.4

One of my favorite GSM blends. Gloriously rich and spicy. Still years of life left. — 2 months ago

Steven Lee

9.4

xmas 2023 drink. balance and silky. not very ripe fruit but on a mineral side. touch of roses. abit rhubart — 4 months ago