Ken Venezio

9.3

Loads of complexity to this Cab. Red and black berries with a nice mouthfeel. Tannins soften after a good decant. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous note from January 2023. Pepper Liquorice and Raspberry. Savoury and full bodied on the palate. Such density despite the drinking window describing this as “Old”. 2011 to 2028. I see this as having many years to go. Riper having blackberry and not as much pepper as you would expect because of this warmer vintage. The vineyards were originally planted in 1964, establishing this as one of Australia’s leaders in cool climate Shiraz. It has always been one of my favourite Australian Reds. Best Shiraz and Wine of the Year for 2011 as voted by the Good Wine Guide. 98 points from Nick Stock. — 3 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Cherry, raspberry preserves, blackberry, currant, vanilla, dark chocolate and oak. Full-bodied and moderate tannins. — 5 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.0

More structure and tannin than stagecoach. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Earthy aromas with ripe plum notes - a very Otago nose albeit in the lighter spectrum. Same notes transfer to the medium bodied sappy palate. Not as full bodied as I was expecting. Quite Burgundian in weight and texture. Made by the equally earthy Nick Mills, owner and winemaker who made his presentation at Pinot NZ 2018 in Wellington in bare feet. Rippon is biodynamic and chemical free. I subsequently had a nice chat with him - a genuine bloke. Must be one of the prettiest vineyard scenes anywhere in the world sloping up from Lake Wanaka. Whilst this is classed as Central Otago this is not as full bodied as the Bannockburn/Felton Road district. — 6 years ago

David L

9.4

Fantastic. 30 minutes in the decanter. Possibly the best thing they make. 83 cases made . — 7 years ago

Albert Phelps

8.9

Very full body. Red fruits and earth. Persistent finish. I think will be better tomorrow. — a year ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

Very Good $27 a bottle — 3 years ago

with TwiLea

Elizabeth S.

9.8

Very opaque and dark. Feels like a good blend of deep and complex but not overly tanniny — 4 years ago

Ruby Gawlik

10

Love . Had with Nick & Jess — 5 years ago

Mary Panos

9.4

Delicious and easy to drink red. I get notes of cola and cherry. Paired very well with Neapolitan pizza — 6 years ago

Sarah Reis

9.4

Very fruity and smooth. For adams bday dinner at Chives 2020 — 6 years ago

Mark Mannebach

9.1

Balanced fruit and earth tones. Smooth finish — 7 years ago

Ted

8.9

Still has a green side. Milk chocolate and licorice. Blackberries. — 2 years ago

with Jeni

Desiree

9.1

Nick and Tonya — 4 years ago

Jocholla

9.0

Peach, mango, full body balanced by bright acidity. Not a lot getting in the way here. — 4 years ago

Laddie DeRocco

9.0

Great with chocolate or steak. Definitely worth buying again. Got it at olive grove. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Words “Anam Cara” are Celtic for “friend of my soul.” Nick and Sheila have made wines since planting grapes in 2001. Pale lemon with aromatic aromas of ripe tropical, stone & citrus fruits. On the palate tart apple and melon flavors, with a crisp citrus tang. Medium+ finish, vivid acidity with rich ending. Drinking well now. Nice value. — 6 years ago

John Needham CSW

9.5

Another Big, but balanced beauty. This wine is the best vlue in the Oakville AVA. 2009 vintage. — 7 years ago

Dave Apple

9.0

Nick only buys good wine at dinner — 7 years ago