Bob McDonald

9.4

The first vintage of Bin 150 was 2008 so this 2010 was probably the best to that point. Very dark Ruby in colour - impenetrable. The nose has blood plum and blackberry with mocha and cocoa aromas. The palate is rich, dense and full bodied. Opulent with blackberry and dark chocolate. Built to last for decades. A very Barossa Penfolds Shiraz. — 3 months ago

Aravind A

9.0

Pop and pour. A modern-styled barolo that seems fully mature. On the nose: coffee, black licorice, blood orange, tar, but the coffee/toast is dominant. On the palate: tar and aggressive, grainy tannin, which quickly smothers any fruit in a thick coat of dark chocolate and toast. Very grainy tannin on the finish, which strangely ends slightly watery. One more bottle, but best to drink it sooner rather than later. — 2 years ago

Michael Quentel

9.4

"On 16 October 1989, Giacomo Bologna carried out a late harvest of Barbera, contrary to the advice given to him by everyone. "Ai Suma!", "We did it", he exclaimed as he tasted the wine: a new Braida Barbera was born from his foresight and stubbornness. Since 1989, it's only produced in the best vintages." (copied from Braida webpage). Today, for example, one can marvel at how lasting his legacy has been in the 97 Ai Suma. In its 23rd year this wine still smells and tastes great. Especially the shares of tertiary aromas like espresso, leather or warm, moist forest soil are wonderfully interwoven with the remains of an expressive fruit of dark berry fruits, plums, liquorice as well as balsamic notes. Dense on the palate, with a nice melting, remains of round, grainy tannins and a moderate acidity. The acidity is rather moderate, yet the wine is drinkable, because the "fat" of its youth has integrated and the wine shows today - at the age of 23 years a nice balance and ends long. Even a certain grandeur may be attested to it. 93 points 2020-2025 — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Bin 0 has been made continuously since the 1890’s and was regarded as the premium Shiraz from Bests until they introduced the Thomson Family Shiraz (first made in 1992). A Thomson Family Shiraz was not produced in 2009 so the best Shiraz from the estate went into this wine. The colour was a very dense Ruby. Dusty dried plums on the nose together with black pepper and spices. The palate has latent energy - self contained power, yet to reveal all of itself but remains opulent. Amazing how good this wine is considering the late heatwave conditions in this vintage in the Grampians. Possibly saved by the inclusion of old vine material from the 1860s which would normally go into the Thomson Family Shiraz. A great wine, still with a long future, easily through to the end of this decade. My first of 3. Next in a few years 2027? — 4 months ago

Stuart Pollack

9.3

Orange-flavored wine. One of the best orange wines I have had, with a nose and palette combining oranges and flowers. The citrus attack ends with a strong acidic finish. Many people will hate this wine if they don’t like orange wine, but this is one of the best examples of this style. — 4 years ago

Devin Bostick

9.5

Ocean, leather, loose leaf chewing tobacco, green smoothie (generically) smell, dark brown and some red, the taste is delicate and raising before then getting caramelly, succulent, some tarragon, slight medium dark coffee but like java, the taste swirls and that makes it complex, and it ends with an abrupt and straight forward wood, it’s like slight shotty and best port I’ve had (but I don’t drink a ton of port) — 4 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.4

This was the original wine that taught me what Chardonnay was capable of, and this one, with 8 years of aging still impressed. My friend Eric said it best, “it’s a schizophrenic wine”, the nose is wild and natural, super funky malo, with incredible tartness and yellow citrus, like an underripe pineapple and musty funk. The palate though on this slightly opaque, pale golden liquid is very different. Lemon curd, baked silky citrus explosion, with a woody, forest floor, and mineral like spine that rolls right down the middle, and ends with a surprisingly chalky and stony finish. Such a special site for wine, elevated by the measured hand of a veteran winemaker. @Chris Brockway — 5 months ago

K. Syrah

9.4

2012. Excellent Cabernet-based Super Tuscan, drinking perfectly now (in store bin for 3-4 years!). Starts out with reticent black and blue fruits (and pomegranate?) with a strong undercurrent of iron/minerals. After three hours the tannins smooth out to reveal just the right balance of fruit, leather, tar and earth. Rich and complex, tastes like a high-quality Bordeaux by later evening. One of the best wines I’ve had all year and a steal at $45 at JW. — 4 years ago

Will Stanley

9.5

Liquid sunshine! Easily one of the best whites of the year so far is this Condrieu from Yves Cuilleron. A drop-dead gorgeous wine that soaks the palate with a multitude of tropical fruits and a cotton wool texture, whilst keeping the drama alive with good acidity. The finish is impressively long and ends on a distinctly dry, slightly bitter note that only adds to the overall complexity. Incredibly enjoyable and - whisper it - a bloody good accompaniment to takeaway tandoori chicken. — 4 years ago

Stuart Pollack

9.0

Intense, then fruity, then intense Carignan. The wine starts with an overpowering alcohol level, then tastes like blueberries, and ends with pepper. This wine will go well with steak. The nose is excellent and the best part of this wine, with intense berry and flower aroma. — 5 years ago