Bob McDonald

9.2

Deep crimson in colour. Notes of blackberry and other black fruits, quite bold for a Coonawarra (cool climate) Shiraz. In this warmer year of 2008 in South Australia this wine tastes more like a Barossa or McLaren Vale Shiraz than a Coonawarra Shiraz. Dry herbal notes and verging on full bodied. Being a Penfolds Bin No. red it will easily pass 20 years in the cellar. Hasn’t got the usual spice and pepper of a Bin 128 in this warmer year. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Another great value red from Coonawarra - this from Bowen Estate. I paid $27.50 at the cellar door in 2021. Their excellent Cabernet Sauvignon was the same price. In earlier days this Cuvée showed cooler climate characteristics of white pepper - not evident in this bottle. This shows more spice, red berries and black olives. Just a medium weight palate and obviously great QPR. Interestingly in the early days of Coonawarra, Shiraz was more planted than Cabernet Sauvignon - it’s the reverse these days. I had another bottle 23 weeks later on 6th May 2025 with consistent notes. An excellent wine for $75 but at $27.50 simply outstanding. Should be a regular purchase. The Cabernet Sauvignon at the same price is just as good. — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous notes. Classic Coonawarra mint, black fruits, dark chocolate and cigar box. Singing at 11 years but will go for another decade at least. Barb and I are flying to Adelaide today. Hire Car tomorrow for the 4 1/2 hours drive south to Coonawarra where we will be doing vintage at Bellwether for a week. Should be illuminating, hard work and rewarding with a great tutor in Sue Bell, owner and winemaker. Sue was lucky enough to be one of 12 in the annual Len Evans Tutorial a few years ago where they taste wines most of us can only dream of including flights of DRC, Rousseau etc. Sue was the Dux of her year and is in demand around Australia as a Show Judge. Should be a great week. — 4 years ago

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. — 2 months ago

Paul Secombe

9.2

Have finally found the secret to katnook! It needs a dozen years plus! This was a superb end to a debaucherous evening, and a perfect end. Rounded, full bodied with more of the potential that Katnook always promises but never quite delivers. — 4 years ago

Bug Dun

9.0

A lovely full wine. Chocolate rounded flavours. Just the tiniest hint of powder. Blueberry sort of touches. Goes really well with Chocolate! — 4 years ago

mike

9.0

smooth taste, with a nice balance of sour notes and bitterness (in after sip) — 4 months ago

William Douglas

9.5

3/6.5/9.5 = 19 out of 100 say 94.5
Great vintage 2010 - very strong., great mouthfeel, long linger. Mint with tobacco, strong acid structure and still plenty of tannins. Will go at least 3-5 years more. — 7 months ago

Yann Vin Le Breton

9.7

Dark red color. Intense nose of blackberry, dry plum, menthol, herbs. Has some freshness and depth at the opening. Develops into cherry, tobacco, vanilla, coffee and spices. The attack is very round, tannins are velvety the finish is more robust but bounces back some dark fruits. It feels like it is still young a could be even more enjoyable in the years to come. Outstanding Cabernet with power race but also subtlety and finesse — 4 years ago

W. Joe DeMiero

9.7

One of the most balanced, beautiful pours I’ve had in a very long time. — 4 years ago