Danny O'Brien

9.0

Surprisingly solid Cabernet for the money! — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See notes for 2018. I think I preferred the 2018 for its freshness to this 2016 which was not as lively but just as delicious. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

As per previous notes. Dense crimson in colour. Cedar, blackberry and geranium. To borrow HH’s phrase “effortless style”. Demonstrates why Coonawarra’s red dirt is marvellous for Cabernet. 96% Cabernet 4% Petit Verdot. The Tally is the top Cuvée from Balnaves. Rich, medium to full bodied. — 6 years ago

J Freeman

9.0

Quite almond forward and sweet. Good for dessert or mimosas. — 6 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

Surprisingly, I kinda liked this despite my aversion to overly-hopped beers. The nose is a straight up hop-bomb - floral, citrusy, piney. The palate's also full-on, with heaps of hoppy bitterness, but balanced by malty sweetness and tropical fruit notes (passionfruit and mango for me). Finishes crisp and earthy. Not bad, but not my kind of beer (not an IPA fan basically). — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.8

Always going to be the highlight of the Wynns tasting and only made in years where the fruit quality and vintage conditions were exceptional. Sue Hodder said everything fell into place in 2015 and she made one of her best ever Riddochs. From less than 1% of Wynns available Cabernet fruit. Latent power on nose and palate with black fruits and balanced oak. At least a 30 year future but so balanced you could happily drink this now but one should wait at least 10 years for its charms to start showing through. A brilliant 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. — 8 years ago

Jeffrey Long

9.1

Sculpin and chicken strips and Raiders prep. Everything Mark Green does not believe in. What a great birthday for Chrissy! — 9 years ago

with Nick, Michael and 2 others

Bob McDonald

9.1

A classic Coonawarra Cabernet nose of mint, herbs, blackberry and leafiness. Very vibrant and energetic for a 15 year old wine. Most of that carrying through to the medium to full bodied palate. One of the icons of the Australian wine scene, first produced in 1954 and one of the most collected wines in Australia. Very underpriced for its quality and pedigree. I might leave my last bottle for 5 years in its 20th year. It will easily travel the journey. — a year ago

AJ Gubser

8.9

Nose of red currant, plum, meat, eucalyptus, and smoke. Much the same on the palate. Quite a lot of blackberry and sour plum acidity, especially for this varietal. Pretty soft tannin and a bit of alcohol heat on the finish. I'm digging these ripe but elegant "New Australia" wines. — 6 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.4

From the days back when they used a simple bottle with a shallow punt. And what a classically crafted Coonawarra cab this is. At 22 years of age the opening aromas showed no sign of mustiness or forgotten old books. It carries a spirit of youthfulness within its soft and supple exterior. Drinking so beautifully now! Soft mint, eucalyptus, menthol hints opening to tart black currant, dried violets, roasted fennel, cocoa and cured meat. The velvety soft palate fades in intensity towards the back, but the intrigue of each sip makes up for the lack of length. Great vintage for this wine. — 6 years ago

with Sam

Scott Rowe

9.2

Tasted the 2014 against the 2008.
Even the small batch minimal intervention gear ages well here 🔥
Big thanks to Steve Brown for the flight and hospitality. — 8 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.2

Unbelievably approachable for a wine with this pedigree upon release.
One for the ages, Coonawarra doing its thing. — 8 years ago

Joe Cox

Production Assistant, Wine Writer

9.5

Fruity, plucky, and wonderfully dark and rich. A soft brown leather in the finish that only makes you want to come back for another sip. — 8 years ago

Daniel Ciolek

9.1

Every year the pop and pour drinkability of this blend gets better! This year the blend is 60% Mourvedere 25% Grenache and 15% Syrah. My appreciation for the less common primary grape varietals has escalated by Monte de Oro’s wise blending and aging techniques. The nose is slightly shy. The palate is a pleasantly unique balanced combination of fruit and earthy components - with a touch of lingering spice. A near perfect balance of juicy acidity and soft tannins that makes this approachable for most. — a year ago

Daniel Ciolek

9.2

Another delightful year of their Meritage style blend. This year it’s made of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Lovely nose with complex fruit and spice flavors, mouth watering acidity, and smoothness throughout with just enough tannins for a pop and a pleasant lingering finish. — 5 years ago

David White

9.0

Very good Pinot true to style
Good bright berry colour, nice nose and palate of berries and good balance of acidity length and aftertaste
Not as good as Reserve offering but excellent value for money
Really enjoying SAF wines during COVID-19 — 6 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.1

Cab Shiraz is not a blend I seek out generally, but this wine has become a staple in our area thanks to its annual presence at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. It is, in fact, a very nice blend of red and black fruit with a high red plum note coming through most clearly for me. The shiraz offers smoothing here, I think, rather than any distinct spiciness. I guess in the way that merlot adds a grounding to a blend, but without the earthiness. This music is all up in the trees. There's even a light tree bark note that completes the analogy. Very nice! — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

Made for early consumption like the Riesling. Perfect balance with a light oak touch and lovely stone fruit characters. Short term. Mild acid. — 8 years ago

Jessy Manuel

9.4

Lovely full bodied wine with bold fruit flavors. An excellent pair with red meat. Acid and tannins don’t overpower the flavors. Does not need to be decanted for long. — 8 years ago

TheWineStalker

9.0

On the nose there’s a cloud of smoke and sea salt hovering over aromas of lemons, peaches and honeysuckle. It’s pretty hefty in body for a Sauvignon Blanc, with a waxy mouthfeel and an acidity so perfectly and ridiculously balanced that you hardly notice it at all. There’s flavors of lemon peel, peaches, green peppers, and aspirin. Then it finishes hot with white pepper and lemon peel. — 9 years ago