Bob McDonald

9.6

Typical Sami Odi from those old Dallwitz vineyards. Luscious and almost thick on the full bodied palate (ripe plum and chocolate). Hard to go past Bill Benders description of “dense and delicious “. Slinky supple black fruits. Unlike many releases of Sami Odi this is not the usual multi vintage approach. This wine was solely from the 2016 vintage which was excellent in the Barossa. Also, of all of Fraser’s quirky labels this is one of the best. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

I ended up editing my previous note of 68 weeks ago in drinking my last bottle on 4th May 2025. Blackberry currant and chocolate with a pruney note. A blend of 6 different vintages. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Delectable - this is the Sami Odi Our Hill Cuvée. Notes later. 2021 vintage. This is the 2nd ever vintage of Our Hill from Sami-Odi from Shiraz grapes grown in the Eden Valley. The 3rd vintage released earlier this year only had a production of around 280 bottles (weather problems - hail) and sold out in under 30 minutes. I missed out. Delectable has done well to recognise this bottle - very cryptic even on Fraser McKinley’s highly cryptic labelling standards. I made a note of the first Our Hill about 93 weeks ago. All whole bunch vinification. Quite rich for an Eden Valley Shiraz. Interestingly Fraser says “Our Hill “ is best enjoyed over the next few years in its youth (finest on the day of opening) contrary to the old vine Hoffmann wines. Reminiscent of Henschke Mount Edelstone in some respects without the longevity of Edelstone probably. Delicious nonetheless. Had another 2021 Our Hill 57 weeks later on 3rd April 2025 with consistent notes. I tried to make a brand new note but Delectable could not recognise the bottle photo so I have just added to this old note. Same score. Ended up having my 3rd and final bottle on 14th May 2025 with similar notes - much more savoury than fruit driven. I agree with Fraser’s comment - best to drink young rather than cellar this wine. — 2 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.4

On the nose I get spectacular dark fruit and spices, on the palate not so much: notes of graphite, licorice, grilled bacon, cocoa nibs, coffee grounds, charcoal and black olives show up.
LW5 is mainly from vintage 2015 and 2014, with a splash (14%) of 2013 and 2012; only 4955 btls made.

PS: even better on day 2! — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Deep Ruby in colour with a youthful purple rim. Ripe plummy notes on the nose with aromatic spices. A rich intense supple palate (but never ponderous). The palate is downright delicious showing plums and the tang of plum skins with a fluidity akin to milk chocolate. Made from 7 different vintages but 46% from the 2021 vintage which was a vintage for the ages in South Australia. You can’t beat the old vine material that Fraser has to work with from the old Hoffmann Vineyard. Had my final bottle 37 weeks later on 21st February 2026 with consistent notes. An excellent wine that doesn’t seem to age much with time in the cellar. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

My first Little Wine #11 from Sami Odi. An unvintaged assembly of casks from 2021 (46%); 2020 (18%); 2019 (16%); 2018 (2%); 2017 (9%); 2016 (5%); & 2015 (4%). The multi vintage adoption adds different dimensions - quite unique. The wine is a deep Ruby with a youthful purple tinge. Light in that it dances on the palate but there is no escaping that profound palate intensity from those old vines. Dark and luscious fruits. Blueberries and blackberries. Little Wine is meant to be drunk young, even Fraser says that, but can be cellared. Fresh, intense and powerful. I have drunk older Little Wines and the premium Cuvée but have found the extra cellar time doesn’t add the expected complexity. I have a bottle of Baby Tui, surprisingly all from the excellent 2012 vintage to put this cellaring idea to the test at some stage in the future. — 2 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.7

Nice closer after Steak & Cabs — 7 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

Mainly 2019 & 2018, supplemented with 2017, 2016 & 2015.
Just lovely…. Crunchy black fruit, soft spices, great tannines and a wonderful coolness in the mouthfeel. Packed with flavor and depth.
Bravo, Fraser! — 10 months ago

Steven Lee

9.6

xmas 2024 wine 5. Non vintage. Very good. Very fruity, very rhubarb and perfumed — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Dense purple/black in the glass - opaque. Not giving much on the nose initially following decanting. Needed vigorous swirling. Barossa plum, prune and earth. Very full bodied on the palate. Quite concentrated. A very big wine in comparison to many other Sami-Odi Cuvées I’ve had over the years. HH said It needs ages (“drinking window of 2018 to 2041 - over extracted?)” I tend to think the difficult vintage conditions in 2014 as explained by Fraser is the reason. Harvest was a full 2 months later than normal - harvesting the 2nd shooting of the vines during the first 2 weeks of April. Yielding only 274 dozen. This wine has a long cellaring future. An element of tannic astringency which is more a result of the size of the wine. This is the first of 3 bottles I purchased in 2016. It will be many years before I have the next one. — 3 years ago