Ross Bathgate

9.3

Opened after Xmas lunch as we needed a follow up to the Black Shiraz. Did not disappoint. Mature and soft with all the lovely spice and dark fruit of the basket pressed. Lovely. — 6 months ago

Brian Haahr-Nielsen

9.5

Fantastic supermarked Wine. Got it for under 100DKK and that is a super price. 13 years old and extremely tasty. Great fruit all the way followed with spices like fresh peber as well as smoke. It will always land in my basket when I see it to the right price. — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

A beautiful drinking Barolo that is youthful but very approachable showing a perfumed nose of cherry, strawberry, cranberry, orange peel with a basket of fresh cut flowers, whole cluster that is elegant, floral with a silky texture. — 6 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.5

2003 Vintage. 15.5% Alcohol. Basket pressed old vine Shiraz that used to be a source for Penfolds Grange, planted in 1875. This was huge fruit and velvet texture with long finish. Last sips went well with milk chocolate for dessert. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks

I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.

The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.

The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.

The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.

Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 6 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Interesting “Vin de France” that is the brainchild of the great Louis Barruol. Primarily made with Grenache that is a blending of several vintages, all vinified in concrete tanks. This one was bottled in 2019. Deep ruby/garnet/purple color. Aromas of ripe red berry fruit, dried purple flowers and dusty earth. Flavors of strawberries, red and black cherries, blackberries, red and black licorice and baking spices. Touch of black pepper spice on the medium-plus and slightly earthy/musty/peaty finish. Medium-plus acidity. Light and well integrated tannins. Pleasant texture and purity. Interesting concept that has led to an interesting wine. Excellent QPR. — 9 months ago

Lauren Golanty

9.0

We grabbed 6 bottles in 2018 and have been drinking 1/yr… getting better and better. Smooth AF. Not your typical berry basket. Balanced, weighty, food friendly… reminded me of a garnacha. Thumbs up, looking fed to next year’s tasting. — 5 years ago

Damien maloney

9.2

Huge fan of this big black olive vibes — 6 years ago

One More Round HK

9.0

Light almost effervescent when poured — 6 years ago

Lisa Saenz

9.7

Super Shiraz, lively flavors — 6 years ago

Wayne Bull

9.5

Exceptionally good Shiraz. The soft tannins and full mouthfeel back up the strong plum and dark chocolate aroma. It keeps on giving after it has been swallowed with a lingering oak wood finish that kept me coming back for more. Would definitely buy again. — 7 years ago

Scott C

Founder / Co-director SR Wine imports

9.0

My favourite Pet Nat to date !! But what would I expect from BK Wines ... nose could almost be Apple strudel with custard ... crunch apple . Quite big bubbles , but long and very good — 7 years ago

Hannah Vickers

10

Just as good as 2008, if not better — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Tasted from 1/2 bottle. They come in handy for dinner for two in many cases, but especially at a restaurant that allows corkage. Most do in California. It is even harder to find vintage champagne in 375ml’s.

The 2018 vintage was good to very good. You need to taste and or read up for its best offerings.

A note, I tasted at the Billecart-Salmon property in later October 2022 with Mathieu Roland-Billecart. As insightful as that was, he was asked other than Billecart Salmon champagnes, what was one of his favorite champagnes? His reply was surprisingly an older vintage Paul Bara he had recently. That’s a producer question that gets asked often. Normally generates a pause with some minor angst to answer.

The nose shows; lemon chiffon/meringue, bruised apple to slightly cider, bruised pear, yellow & white stone fruits, just ripe pineapple, orange citrus blend, lime pulp, tropical melons, whipped, white cream, white spice-ginger, yeasty bread dough, saline, crushed limestone pulp, crumbled chalk, sea fossils, white spring flowers set in yellow lilies.

The palate is round & soft. The mousse is delicate w/ micro oxidation. Ripe; lemon chiffon/meringue, white & yellow stone fruit, slightly bruised apple & Bosc pear, lime pulp, orange citrus rind, some tropical melons, cream, ginger white spice, yeasty bread dough, sea spray, saline, sea fossils, dry crumbled chalkiness, caramel notes, heather honey, warm perfectly toasted toast, graham cracker, nougat w/ nuts, yellow flowers set in a field of white spring flowers, excellent acidity with a nicely; balanced, structured, tensioned, polished finish that lasts a minute and falls on limestone laced with soft, dry, powdery chalkiness.

Photos of; the house of Paul Bara, chalky caves w/ riddling racks, old wood basket press & a vineyard picking party. — a year ago

Isla C

9.0

Would buy again — 6 years ago

Hannah Vickers

9.1

Rich fruit, dark chocolate, spice and velvet. So sad this is my last bottle of this vintage! — 6 years ago

Ian Bathgate

10

Rich and flavoursome balanced and smooth. It just doesn’t get any better. I love the Highbank Cabernet young and old. If you can keep your hands off them early in their life. You are rewarded with the age. — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Medium dullish gold. Youthful bubbles. Complex nose. Notes of apricot, citrus, bread basket, wet stones. Could guess this as an aged white burg in the nose. Light tan spice adds to the acidity and vibrancy of the finish. Great wine. — 7 years ago

Lindsay Corrigan

8.9

Full Strawberry nose with white pepper. Taste juicy red berry front settles down to a wash blueberry. Then at back of mouth intensity starts with flavour of roasted red peppers done over oak coals and finish cleanse of eucalyptus.🍷 — 7 years ago

Philip Faure

9.3

Certainly not a basket case. Yum — 9 years ago