Bob McDonald

9.7

Dense dark crimson, almost black in colour - opaque. Lots to unfurl on the nose with initial aromas of Tar, Black pepper, plum, black and blue fruits, dark chocolate and a herbal nuance. Densely packed and full bodied. Obviously the product of old vines. The vineyard was planted over a hundred years ago in 1920. One of those unique wines that has the ability to be full bodied and elegant at the same time. Never heavy, you could drink this all night. Still has latent energy at 16 years of age. An aristocratic Shiraz in company with the world’s finest. Jay Miller had an erudite comment when he said that the only competition for this wine comes from the likes of Guigal, Chapoutier, Chave, Krankl, and Ringland. I would be patriotic in addition to Chris Ringland, and include Peter Gago and Fraser McKinlay. Roman Bratasiuk is the winemaker of Astralis- which is made from a 4 hectare paddock in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. — 3 years ago

amy wise

9.2

Fantastic. So smooth. Great from first opening. — 5 years ago

R J Thom

9.0

Beautiful one colour. Lovely dry astringency with crisp lime and sour raspberry. — 8 years ago

with Askly

Mike Stuart

9.3

Another great red that goes with 420. — 8 years ago

Erik Michielsen

9.1

2006 held up oh so well...in fact it shined! — 8 years ago

Ryan Stotz

9.3

The bad news: This isn't anywhere close to being ready to drink. The nose is shut up tight, followed by chunky textures, primary red fruit and roses and some uncomfortably sharp acid. The good news: This isn't anywhere close to being ready to drink. Very reminiscent of the 1996, and, like that wine, this'll probably just be coming into its prime drinking window as it nears its twentieth birthday, at which point it'll also drink like 1er Chambolle. So, $33 well spent, I guess. — 9 years ago