Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Clean apple and peach notes, some oaky/resinous funk. After an hour hints of matchstick and toast occur.
Very Nice.

Gaining complexity and depth after extended aeration. Up a notch, — 24 days ago

Demir Worthington

9.2

Delicious, great balance and nice structure. Could be mistaken for a nice burgundy. Great balance of earthy and fruity notes. Would probably be better after more time. Also tried the 2022 which was good but too young — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.6

Still quite dark purple-red color, nose is quite closed, some mineral, iodine and black pepper aromas, red and black fruits which taste quite primary and youthful, great acid balance, structure shows in the long, lingering finish, I’d guess 10-15 more years of further aging on this to maturity, but awfully great tonight!! — 3 months ago

with Jim

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2020 vintage. A fave CA chard and producer. Medium-medium heavy body. Tasting slightly more tropical and advanced with less acidity than usual. Still absolutely delicious tho. Would like to retaste and reevaluate in 5-6 months tho. Based on 30 vintages of tasting this particular wine, betting it reconciles any tawdry, fleeting concerns that occupy my compromised palate and right quick. 01.22.25. — 5 months ago

Mark Osmers

9.4

I really enjoyed the complexity of this wine. Maybe it’s because they use 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and bottle unfiltered. Flavor profile includes blackberries, raspberry, and an earthy finish.
if you have a chance to enjoy a bottle, don’t hesitate.
#excellent vintage — a month ago

Turd Ferguson

9.2

A little shy at first but really opens up and shows after a couple hours of air. Classic Santa Cruz Mtns Pinot. Earthy. A touch candied. Long finish. Pretty wine. 👍🏼 — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Even though this wine is 27 years old I might have opened this a little early. This will cruise to its 40th birthday without a problem. This was the period when Hunter Valley decided to emulate the big ripe oaky styles of South Australia instead of sticking to the HV medium bodied savoury style which Maurice O’Shea himself pioneered back in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. A palate staining and concentrated palate of profound intensity with a black fruited perfume. An impressive wine but thankfully the Maurice O’Shea Shiraz of the last 10 to 15 years have returned to their medium bodied roots. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

See 3 previous notes for the 2008 vintage (and one for the 2009). This was my final 2008 sadly. Without mincing words, this is one of my favourite Australian reds, and has been for a long time. Trademark white pepper, spice and liquorice. The plums and blackberry of its youth are now more savoury in style. Just a stunning wine which could compete with any top grade Cote Rotie. Unfortunately the price now reflects the high quality. In the Good Wine Guide of 2011 this was voted Best Shiraz and Wine of the Year. Nick Stock - 98 points. — a month ago

Steve Rura

9.0

Not really a whisky drinker, but I can appreciate this Scotch. Very woodsy and dry. Cedar with orange bitters, and oaky vanilla bean. Clean fresh finish, with a long lasting Szechuan pepper tingle and wood chips towards the end. 14 yr single malt. — 3 months ago

Shane Walker

8.9

Clear, pale lemon colour. Clean, pronounced floral bouquet. Dry, with high acidity and medium bodied. Intense flavours of lime, lemon and citrus blossom. Long finish with significant minerality. A very good wine that would no doubt be better after a few years.

Britannia Restaurant, Queen Anne. In the South Pacific en route from Tonga to New Zealand. — 5 months ago

with Michele