Doug Powers

9.0

Big step up from the Heathcote 2020 Shiraz, tight, somewhat structured, and needs some time, but very nice depth of flavors, and nice length, very good!! — 23 days ago

with Jim

Scott Gould

9.1

Letty’s 50th Bday — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

At the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. A blend of Shiraz, Viognier, Mataro and Marsanne. The original vineyards of Shiraz and Marsanne were established in 1969 with additional vineyards of Mataro and Viognier planted from 1984 to 1995. A lovely red berried perfume (raspberry) with some stalks added back in. Interestingly some fermenters have added frozen Viognier skins to the bottom, some have Marsanne skins. Sarah is always wanting to push the envelope with her winemaking. A classic Rhone style, blended with perfume in mind. Red wine of the year from the Halliday Wine Companion and awarded 99 points from Philip Rich from that publication. — 2 months ago

Bobbi Jo Broxson

9.3

One of our favorites — 2 months ago

with Brian

Ron R

9.4

It’s been years since I tasted this wine. Indeed, I was drinking the stuff made by Dr Bailey Carrodus before he passed. I’m pleased to note that the current winemaker hasn’t stepped off the reservation.
Nose is brambly and dense. Notes of figs, dates and cedar waft from the glass. Not as dense on the mid-palate as i recall, but well balanced, with no overbearing oak. Texture on the palate invokes a crunchy mouthfeel. This will benefit from more cellaring, but drinking very well right now.
Thanks to @Bob McDonald for reminding me how much I have missed this wine. — 15 days ago

with Anne-marie

Bob McDonald

9.3

Brief notes. Great Pinot from the Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard are an annual event these days. The 2023 vintage has just been awarded Halliday’s Pinot Noir of the year. This wine was pale to mid crimson. Red cherry. Essence of Pinot Noir and one of Australia’s best. The reputation set up by Steve Flamsteed and carried on by Melanie Chester and the new ownership in the USA. Sweet sappy red fruits. Medium weight. Very good. — 2 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 2023 Selección Especial Nº2 Victoria was sourced from a 1920-planted vineyard in Vélez-Málaga, Alta Axarquía, in the Sierras de Málaga. This late-harvest wine was aged seven months on the lees and bottled with 190 grams of sugar. Yellow in hue, it presents herbal aromas with peach and apricot notes and a faint hint of nard. Sweet and balanced on the palate, it offers an intense mouthfeel with a long-lasting savory finish. This is a delicate, well-crafted wine. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, September 2024)
— 2 months ago

Angele Prost

9.0

Smells oaky. A little hint of new car leather and some dark cherry. Taste ashy dark chocolate and cherry. More ashy tho. — a month ago

with Sinèad

Hessel Idema

9.6

Dark, full bodied, fruit and a dry finish. Highly recommended! — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

The final wine at the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday night 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. Fitting that Dry Red No. 1 should be the final wine - arguably the Jewel in the Crown. Initial aromatic impressions are gorgeous. This is the 50th vintage of Dry Red No. 1. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Brief notes - blackberry, aniseed and bay leaf. A medium bodied Cabernet with M+ intensity and finishing with fine boned tannin structure. Power with poise, concentration with finesse. Will live for 20 years plus. I have been buying on an irregular basis for many years. The 1990 was a highlight. I asked Sarah, who was Chairman of the Royal Sydney Wine Show this year to compare 3 of the main Cabernet producing areas in Australia - Yarra Valley leafy fragrance, Coonawarra Mint, and Margaret River herbaceousness. At Restaurant Dan Arnold. — 2 months ago