Bob McDonald

9.5

An excellent full bodied Shiraz from a warm year in McLaren Vale and South Australia in general. Red and black fruits with a tarry creosote note as in previous notes. Rich and flavoursome on the full bodied palate but not heavy - very well done. The Dead Arm is the top red cuvée from d’Arenberg. Drinking at its peak. — 6 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Out of mag and shipped from the property was in fine shape. Really good.

@Pebble Beach Food & Wine. — 5 days ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.8

Fantastic cult wine that I’ve had the pleasure of trying a couple of times now. Lives up to the hype. Amazing in all aspects. Big but super pretty and just keeps rewarding you with greatness every time you return to you glass. — a month ago

John Van Trijp

9.6

Toooooooo Young! — 7 days ago

Liam James

8.9

Delicious ‘syrah’ style shitaz from McLaren Vale. Not overdone; lovely balanced structure with blueberry and plum fruit. — 3 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Blend of Grenache (65%), Shiraz (20%) and Mataro (15%). Bright garnet color with a ruby core. Aromas of red berries, dried violets, dried earth and cedar. Complex flavors of dried cherries and raspberries, red currants, black tea, Asian spices, black olives and tobacco. Long lasting savory and tangy finish. Silky texture, well balanced acidity and nicely integrated soft tannins. — 4 days ago

Roger Ray

9.1

" A full-bodied wine shows ripe dark fruit aromas, voluminous richness and plentiful tannins." — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 2. The 2018 pours a deep purple color with an impenetrable core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: brambles, tobacco, purple flowers, dill, vanilla, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and pretty decadent with a velvety texture. Drink now through 2033. — a month ago

Andy Thomson

10

Perfect. Lives up to all expectations. — 16 days ago

with Cheryl

Shay A

9.3

One of the bottles I brought for a guys night of rosé sparklers and Brunello.

I’ve been on the Ultramarine list for close to 10yrs. I’ve opened bottles young, old and everywhere in-between (both based on vintage and in relation to disgorgement), and after such a disappointing experience with the 2020s (after reading all the CT notes, I opened a ‘20 of each cuveé and found a profile that is not reminiscent of the early Ultramarine days at all), I wanted to open something that reminded me of the good ‘ol days with Ultramarine.

Amongst Egly’s rosé, Krug’s rosé, Westborn’s rosé and tons of grower champagnes, this wasn’t a standout but it was enjoyable and paired beautifully with the food. This bottle was closer in experience to the 2014 (good richness, fruit, but also big structure) vs the 2016 (lighter/brighter, more mineral). Salmon color in the glass with a dash of pink. Not overly reductive or oxidative with waves of red berry fruit and strawberry marscapone. Lovely richness on the palate with some strawberry shortbread cookies amongst more red berry fruit but a nice mineral streak down the middle. Layered. Mousse isn’t quite creamy but it’s soft. Nod to grower champagne with Cali warmth.

This is in a nice integrated spot where the fruit is taking a step back and dancing with the mineral notes. No rush to open, but worth popping soon. — 17 days ago