Poured into a decanted about an hour prior to service and presented double-blind. The 2019 “Lily’s Garden” pours a deep garnet with a bit of purple and a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is developing with black bramble fruit, purple flowers, a touch of the animal and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The alcohol is elevated; calling it high. The finish is medium+. I called Syrah from France, from the Northern Rhône, Croze-Hermitage from a recent warmer vintage like 2019. Dangit…I got the variety right but I should have considered Australia with the elevated alcohol. This is a fairly classic Aussie Shiraz that certainly gives off a French vibe but the fruit and alcohol give it away. Drink now through 2034. — 3 months ago
Broad fruit.Some tertiary stuff. Citrus confit. Poached pears. Coconut. Plenty of acid keeps it fresh. 14.1 maybe a touch hot on the finish if I’m bring a critic, but this is complex and delicious. Hits its stride with an hour of air. // edit: left 200ml in the bottle overnight in the fridge. Still delicious on day two but definitely verging oxidized and better yesterday. Drink up. — 9 months ago
One of the best zins around. Slight to medium body, not too tannic, almost like a Pinot. Clove and cinnamon, baking spice on the nose, plum and bing cherry — 19 days ago
太强了,非常浓郁的风味,回味也非常悠长石墨、话梅、薄荷,核桃,橘子酱等等相比名庄,可以先从新世界的这种好酒庄老酒先体验一下 — a month ago
Blackberry, licorice , raspberry jam, touch of tobacco. — 7 months ago
Simple Merlot Lagrein Blau blend but I’m not sure why it’s so compelling. Delicious. — 2 years ago
Phenomenal 12 year old Chardonnay from the best vineyard for the white grape in the state of Virginia. Amazing balance between acid and oak w/ classic lemon curd and brioche, sweet sweetness. Second day was even better. Amazing how much it opened up with air.!! — a month ago
Dark Ruby with dark berry fruit aromas adding earthy spice and cedar. On the palate this wine has complex flavors of blackberry and blueberry with licorice, cacao, oak and vanilla. Fine dusty tannins, peasant mouthfeel, full-bodied, long ending with a nice earthy spice finish. Aging well, good now, has room to run over short term. — a month ago
Another excellent red in the Henschke range. Brief notes: A GMS blend from the Barossa Valley. Rich and flavoursome (14.5% ABV). Red and blue fruits - medium plus bodied - plush. Stephen Henschke often said on the weekend what great vintages 2022 and 2023 were. Added to the fabulous 2021, that’s 3 great vintages in a row. — 9 months ago
Ray Vanderhoff
Everything about this wine is DARK. Deep ruby/purple color bordering on black. Aromas of black and blue fruit, Asian spices and coffee. Flavors of cooked black berry/plum/currant fruit, bakers chocolate, tar and espresso. Hint of black pepper on the long, lingering and silky finish. Extremely concentrated with lively acidity. Tannins are firm but in harmony. This is a wine you quickly take notice of. Probably at (or just past) its peak. Thanks for the wonderful gift, Petey P! — 7 days ago