Mark Flesher

9.3

This was a big ol' boy! After the 84 Chappellet, I had to switch gears a little bit! Second wine served blind to more or less the same crowd. Poured black and inky. Nose with a little bit of meat but this was mostly black dark roasted fruits. Entry was dark blackberry, sweet plums, figs, baking spice. Power. Lots of guesses for syrah and petite sirah and I don't think anyone really thought this one was 11 years old. Finished with a lot of roasted sweet and chewy tannin. I didn't think I was in the mood for this kind of wine until I realized that I was in the mood for this kind of wine! I think this one has another five to ten years easily. Wondering why this one seems to get lower scores on Delectable, but I have a feeling that most people don't give these the age they need. — 2 days ago

with Dan, Bradley and 3 others

Kimberly Anderson

9.4

You know you have a great friend when she brings this to share when her daughter gets married! Dried herb, menthol and black fruit aromas. Cherry, anise, milk chocolate. Long, amazing finish. Cheers! — 3 days ago

with Chad

MaJ CappS

9.0

Smells of absolute deliciousness. The nose of a wine you know will make you happy..

First time trying the entry level wine from this awesome producer, and pretty happy with the results. Fruit cometh! Blackberry, pomegranate, hints of subtle eucalyptus, wispy tannins, that hold up to, and help the bright, polished fruit integrate extremely well.
Pic next to my Australian Didgeridoo.. — 17 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

The 2016 ‘The Factor’ Shiraz is a monumental wine from this storied estate. Aged for twenty four months in 40% new French oak, this Shiraz weighs in at 15.0% alcohol — but it shows outstanding poise considering the obvious heat of the vintage. On the nose this wonderfully perfumed Shiraz takes on suggestions of rose water and potpourri with red currant jelly and shades of kirsch and licorice that all meld together in the glass. The palate is dense and plush showing a wonderful sense of minerality and tremendous depth. Layers of mocha, exotic spices, creosote and espresso bean flavors run rampant with the high-toned bright red fruits and minerals. A simply stunning effort, this beautiful Shiraz is outstanding in its youth and has decades to go. Drink 2019-2040- 97 — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

From Polar’s Australian wine tasting. Mellow with soft pliant Tannins in a more drink now style. Interestingly John Duval was chief winemaker at Penfolds for 29 years when most of the previous Penfolds wines just tasted were made. This wine made very differently to how he made them at Penfolds. — 9 days ago

with Andrew, James and 1 other

Bob McDonald

9.4

Dense dark crimson - almost black. Ripe plum aromas with a touch of prune and coffee grounds. On the palate earthy plummy savoury Notes still with a solid core of fruit which will see this wine cruise past its 20th Birthday. A full bodied Barossa Shiraz from ultra ripe old vine fruit. No doubt plenty of Oak when this wine was made but now the oak has largely integrated with the ripe fruit so the balance was right in this cooler vintage. I need to drink these big reds in winter because they are hard work in an Australian summer. — 13 days ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.2

Trader Joe's, ~$7

Dark and opaque and a pungent smoky nose with a hint of fruit. Smooth but fairly full bodied and syrupy, on the tart and dry side but not in a bad way, has a decent alcohol bite. Starts with a pleasant slightly tart red fruit flavor, and a noticable smokiness follows shortly after giving a nice complexity to keep it interesting. Loved the mix of smoke and tart fruit in the flavors, if it was a little less harsh and tart it would be amazing but can't complain at all for the price. One of my favorites at this price point. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

All previous notes of this amazing wine still apply. Savoury earthy mineral meaty berry, black pepper and Bacon all packed in there. I managed to get a dozen out of the 60 dozen made. Cote Rotie on steroids still applies. Will have to exercise some willpower to have each of the remaining 6 bottles at 2 year intervals. Halliday says drink by 2042!! — 3 days ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.9

Still holding unbelievably
It feels like a great Bordeaux with a mesmerizing eucalyptus decoration rather than other kind of greens
There is no other Australian wine that gives me this pleasure
Super elegant and endless — a day ago

Paul Jakubowski

9.1

Massive wine. Not really my style, especially after the Ornellaia. Probably could have used a decant but we didn’t have time for that. — 11 days ago