Doug Powers

9.5

[We purchased this at the winery on our first trip to Oz in 1989, also Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone Shiraz, which we’ve drunk. I’d been holding this to share with a local Aussie friend, but we can’t seem to get it together. Tagging @Bob McDonald for any additional insights he might have!!] Color is medium red garnet, some nice redfruit and cassis/red currant aromas and flavors, while fully mature, still quite alive as well, any tannins have resolved and this is just a super lovely aged Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon from a great winery, very long, lingering finish, doesnt taste either Napa-like nor Bordeaux-like, I just don’t have enough experience with aged Aussie Cabernet to accurately pinpoint what it might be similar to, great old wine!!! — 12 days ago

with Bob and Jim

Jay Kline

9.3

Celebrating our 21st wedding anniversary on the night of a lunar eclipse, this bottle seemed perfectly appropriate.

Poured into a decanter about 90 minutes prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2005 Eclipse pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core and some rim variation. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of black cherry, licorice, leather, dried red flowers, inorganic earth and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. A rather deft pairing with grilled spiny lobster tail and T-bone steaks.

While this is not my preferred style (16% ABV !!!) there was something about it that kept my total interest. Yes, it was a big boy but it wasn’t some ponderous oaf. It danced across the palate with discipline and sophistication. Drink now, with an hour in the decanter to allow it time to freshen up, and through 2030. — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1 hour decan(decent chunky/fine sediment). A striking still dark garnet color. On the nose: Captivating notes of dark fruit, stewed meat, mushroom, eucalyptus, roasted coffee bean. Taste: silky, opulent, structured wine with dark cherry, tobacco, charred earth, currants, herbs, pepper, and a coffee-pencil lead long finish with just a touch of heat from the alcohol. YUM!! — 7 months ago

with Brenda

Diane Heyboer

8.9

Had the 2022 in February of 2026. Blackberry and dark cherry with a barrel forward character on the nose. Not super tannic- berry/cherry throughout. Short finish with hints of tannin on the end. — 9 months ago

with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, if you haven’t had this producers wines at 15-20 years of age, you’re missing some spectacular juice. I bought this at auction for $38-$40 a bottle and because I was unaware of its storage, I was prepared to short decant it. Well…until I pulled the cork, smelled it and saw the color. This nearly 20 year old bottling is still big but with nice integration & evolution. I would say it has another 5-8 years of good life in it.

The palate fruit is ruby, ripe and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum. Mid berry cola, dark chocolate to pudding, mocha powder, wet clay, light, black pepper, Asian spice, dry-ish tobacco, black licorice, some dry herbs-sage dominate, limestone, dry top soil, dry brush, used leather, sandlewood, fresh to slightly withering, dark, purple, red florals set/framed in violets and lavender. The acidity is near perfect. The well balanced, structured, knitted finish is excellent and lingers minutes. Steal for the price. Another excellent gourmet burger wine. Beef Patties from El Salchichero. — 3 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

vintage 2019 | Still too young, quite a blockbuster but also very lush, smoked meat in smell, brushwood, good balance, Dead Arm seldom dissapoints — 9 days ago

Roberto Carli

9.5

This is a wonderful expression of Santa Cruz Mountain Cab, caught in a state of absolute grace. I might be lucky with the specific bottle but it's really shining through like a mini superstar. Small red and black fruits are still preserved in a dusty state, in harmony with the emerging leather, pipe tobacco, and graphite, strikingat great balance between freshness and complexity. The nose is giving a preview of the palate, where the canines show completely evolved, silkyyet substantial. Again, lucky me, because it's in a state of grace. — 2 months ago

Zach D

9.1

Pours a purple hue with some fading at the rim; aromas of black and red fruit; raspberry, blackberry, some dark cherry, and cassis; palate with good acidity, congruent with the nose; there is a bit of vanilla clove baking spice oak on the palate. Alcohol is moderate at 13.5; I like the wine, and I don’t drink a whole lot of American wines. The oak influence should be more delicate in my opinion, as the fruit is pretty elegant. It overwhelms a bit, and holds it back. I have doubts that this aspect will improve with bottle age, but I have another couple bottles and will leave in the cellar as an experiment. — 3 months ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.2

Golden color. Green apple and vanilla (light oak) on the palate. Age worthy. April 2026. — 6 months ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Some petrol/diesel aromas and flavors in this lovely bone dry Australian Riesling, solid acid, some white stonefruits as well, great cut/acidity, medium-long finish, very good! — 8 months ago

with Jim

Nicholas Cotton

10

With Jay and Ted — 9 months ago

Fish Tony Fisher

9.5

Never ever disappoints. Beautiful wine. As good as you get for $30. — 5 years ago

George Hesse

9.0

This is another blend. But this time it’s Cab, Syrah and Mourvèdre. — 5 years ago

Jackie Shields

10

So good, smooth, not too sweet and not too dry. — a month ago

Ed Chin

9.3

Plenty of dark cherries that was right on the edge of being over top. Yet the mouthfeel and overall impression I had was that it had a sort of elegance to it. — 14 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.0

No specific notes but a truly good Douro red in a nice vintage. Lots going on under the hood. — 2 months ago

with Jamie, Jose and 2 others

Bob McDonald

9.5

Dense Ruby with a Crimson rim. Aromas of red and black berries, chocolate, and smoked meat. Full bodied and muscular. From a single vineyard in McLaren Vale which was planted 124 years ago. Silky tannins. A great red on a cold night in Winter. Love the old fashioned label which probably hasn’t changed in 100 years showing the two Kay Brothers. Hope to have the patience to drink the last bottle in say 2028 to 2030. — 4 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.3

Medium ruby color. Aromas of curry, cardamom, cherry and strawberry. Strawberry flavors, toasted oak, raspberry and black tea. Very interesting Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot. Bottle #32187

🏅94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
🏅93 Points - Wine Enthusiast — 8 months ago

Jeffrey Ritterson

9.2

Touriga Nacional (40%), Touriga Franca (20%), Tinta Roriz (30%), Tinta Barroca (10%). Medium to deep purple. Medium body, medium tannin at most, medium acidity, dry. Some slight funk on the nose, in a very good way. Wet rocks, violets, light baking spices. Better after open for a day. Benchmark Duero for what I can find in the US so far. — a year ago

Edward Nelson

9.2

The other steak night bottle at Nolan’s cabin in the Dells. — 5 years ago