Bob McDonald

9.1

Sweet black fruits - plums. Only medium weight - restrained. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. 2012 was a cooler more moderate growing season, more claret style says Sam Middleton. This is not one of the great Quintets IMO. At its best Quintets is one of the best Cabernet blends in Australia. It still reinforces the fact that the Yarra Valley is one of the better terroirs for Bordeaux blends in Australia. Not for long cellaring. This is first of 3 of the 2012 vintage I have in my cellar. — 11 days ago

Ross Bathgate

9.2

On the downward side of its life and a little thin but still so delightful — 3 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Nose: elegant green

Palate : clean. Crisp. Mountain stream. Juicy. Perfect cherry fruit. Elegant.

Grand cru 25.50 — 5 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.0

N: interesting

P: very bright. Citrus.

Grand cru 25.50 — 5 months ago

Chris Albin

Winemaker, Azari Vineyards Winemaker, Corskcrew Wines

9.2

Everything I love about Syrah, but a bit softer and fruitier — a month ago

Jim Lyons

9.7

For what it’s trying to do, and at the price, it’s really fucking good.

Dry with some nice suddle peachy sweetness on the front. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Made by Tom Carson (chief winemaker at Yabby Lake) as his side project. 2013 and 2014 (the latter being Halliday’s wine of the year) of this wine were awarded Australia wide Trophies and Tom says this 2015 is just as good. Sweet red fruits (mulberry) with heaps of spice - Barb said peppery notes. A fabulous wine with impeccable balance- a perfect match with the free range chicken dish that Barb created. 98 points from James Halliday. Tom Carson for the last few years has been Chief Judge of the Royal Queensland Wine Show. His expertise shows in his winemaking. — 4 months ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.5

A bit closed in but really pretty. Lots of white flower and soft stone fruit. Not as much oak/lees influence as other vintages on tasting. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid to pale crimson - actually transparent. The pale colour belies the aromatic and palate intensity. Aromatics of cherry and raspberry transforming on to the medium bodied sweet red fruited palate. A touch of Sous Bois. An excellent Pinot as always from the Applejack Vineyard from Giant Steps. — 3 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.1

N: earthy

P: sweet fruit. Still bright. Hint bitterness.

Nice finish.

Grand cru 54.50 — 5 months ago