Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Deep ruby centre , slightly wider ruby rim . Bit more herbaceous and medicinal nose , spicier dark fruits , touch tobacco , dried spice , smoky touch. Slight lighter focused fruit , spiced red plum , dark cherry. On the palate quite round and juicy , sweeter palate , smoky red plum , blueberry , dark cherry jam. Balanced acidity and slightly gritty but ripe , sweet tannins . Medium length . This is quite a contrast to the first two , the style of fruit is sweeter and lighter, and with time in the glass , more red cherry , strawberry notes appear. The finish is slightly sweeter and less harmonious than the first two , it is also very young so this might come with more time. Better in 5-10 years and will last well a further 5-10. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A dense Ruby in colour. Black currant, dark plum, mocha, dark chocolate, and cigar box. The Penfolds Cabernet DNA if you like. Dense and powerful. This wine at 20 years of age is just a pup. The “Rewards of Patience “ has a window to 2045+. I’ll probably have the next one in 10 years or so. The release price of the latest vintage is now over $600 - too expensive IMO. Apparently substantial material from the old Block 42 in the blend - planted in the 1880’s. — 20 days ago

Gor

9.6

Layered, complex, beautiful. Opens with cherries, blood, plums, blueberries, dry leaves and licorice. Fine grained tannins. Perfect after a few hours in the decanter. Will last at least another decade. — 20 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Deep purple , thin ruby pink rim . Spicy cassis , touch of coconut , violets , blackberry liqueur and meaty, orange rind , slightly medicinal , iodine character . On the palate lovely density , blackcurrant , blackberry , saline and mineral reflexes . Lots of fine , polished quite dry tannins and surprising freshness . Long mineral stained finish , vanilla and cassis stained finish . After a while in the glass this really starts to show its mineral , crushed rock and iodine character. Intense and hugely powerful but also incredibly well balanced , with no warmth from the 14,5% alcohol, finishes dry and savoury , a real feat of engineering! Needs another 10-15 years and will last well a further 15-20 — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Rich, supple and delicious. A prime example of what the Barossa does so well, particularly in a good vintage. Blackberry, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and coffee grounds. Barb thought too much coconut oak but I didn’t think it was excessive. The next night ripe plum and oak- rich and mouth filling - through to the mid 2030’s. Your choice - rich and fruit driven or developed savoury notes or somewhere in between. — 8 days ago

Henry Fuseler

9.2

8/2024. Big and bold. Sits well on the palate. Nice finish.

Hall’s Chophouse — 14 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Deep purple , thin pink rim . Quite perfumed , floral , mint , herbaceous character , cassis and blackberry . Quite rich with sweet dark fruits on the palate , plum , cherry , blueberry , blackberry . Balanced acidity and spicy dark fruited finish , slightly meaty , medium length finish . This is needs time in order to round out the tannins , better in 5 years and will last well a further 10-15. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1998 “Command” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. Definitely some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and mostly dried black and red fruits: brambles, blueberries, blackberries, dates, grilled meat, leather, purple flowers, marjoram, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (mostly integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with the addition of an umami/Maillard reaction sort of thing giving a rich, savory finish. Drink now as it’s in slow decline. — 14 days ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

8/2024. Nice medium bodied Grenache blend. Good flavor and nice on the palate. Paired well with the blackened sea bass at Hall’s Chophouse. — 12 days ago

Sam Friedland

8.9

Fine, but still needs to mature the tannins. — 9 days ago