Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of 69% Shiraz, 16% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from McLaren Vale, deep Ruby color with aromas of berry fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of vanilla, spice, licorice and tobacco. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, sweet spice and earthy notes. — 8 months ago

Elle Scorcho

9.2

Smoke, tar, licorice, ripe berries, plum, subtle cinnamon sticks, and mocha throughout. Thin bodied and light, but so flavorful. — a year ago

Jeffrey Ritterson

9.2

Touriga Nacional (40%), Touriga Franca (20%), Tinta Roriz (30%), Tinta Barroca (10%). Medium to deep purple. Medium body, medium tannin at most, medium acidity, dry. Some slight funk on the nose, in a very good way. Wet rocks, violets, light baking spices. Better after open for a day. Benchmark Duero for what I can find in the US so far. — a year ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.5

Super velvety, light to medium body but still very plump. Very long finish. Would drink! — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See previous note from January 2022. Has lost its primary red fruited characters of raspberry and strawberry from its youth. More musky and earthy these days. From 72 year old Grenache vines in the Old McDonald vineyard in McLaren Vale. Steve Pannells winemaking touch still evident with excellent material - a great combination. — 4 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.1

100% Zibbibo (Muscat), old vines planted in 1945. 13.2% ABV

Muscat done as orange wine in clay Amphora, and some time under Flor. Dried apricot, floral, terra cotta notes & texture. Dry, long finish. Very nice, fun & exciting. — 5 years ago

Mark Turner

9.5

Huge. Hedonism. Fruit bomb but opened it 4 hours ago and it helped soften the blow a bit. Spice and sweet licorice. — 7 years ago

ESF

8.9

i've had this off & on for the past 25 years and it reliably offers copious amounts of fruit along with cocoa, vanilla & other decadent flavors & aromas. This was no different just not as polished or balanced as I recall. Wonder if they've increased production - this is their entry level offering — 8 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Dark purple/black color. Aromas of cooked black fruit, violets and Asian spices. Blackberry compote, huckleberry, blueberry jam and black plum fruit flavors along with notes of chocolate, black licorice, basil, tobacco, coffee and vanilla. Hint of saline on the long and drawn out finish. High, but not obvious, alcohol (16%). Velvety texture and tannin structure. Plush, bold and powerful. Thanks for sharing, James W. — a year ago

Paco Suro

9.3

Off the hook. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

The light cherry red in colour belies the intensity of the palate. Cherry and raspberry flavours - some herbal notes. The Grenache grapes from a sandy terroir in McLaren Vale - most suitable. 77 year old vines. The wine was made in a natural style - fresh and young - juicy. Interesting back story: When the Rolling Stones were touring Australia in 2014 with a gig in Adelaide, Mick Jagger plus Keith’s wife and a few others decided to visit the Adelaide Hills and had lunch there with Taras Ochota and his wife. Apparently the Stones bought all of their inventory and had a memorable stay. Sadly Taras passed away a few years ago. — a year ago

George Hesse

9.0

This is another blend. But this time it’s Cab, Syrah and Mourvèdre. — 5 years ago

Austin Hohnke

8.9

Medium bodied with zesty citrus and underripe stone fruit. Crisp, clean, and petrol-y. — 7 years ago

Doggfather

9.1

So surprised by this Aussie Shiraz. Nicely balanced and has aged really well. — 7 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2015 | Shining! — 9 months ago

Sagee Aran

9.2

A rich and intense blend from Australia. Aromas of tropical fruits and oak attributes, on the palate balance of acidity and sweetness, long finish. — 10 months ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Diesel/petrol, lovely Riesling fruit, I know this is way too young to drink, but the bottle looked like it wanted to be drunk today!! — a year ago

with Jim

James Everhart

9.1

Outstanding value at $16. Good body and acidity with floral notes. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, if you haven’t had this producers wines at 15-20 years of age, you’re missing some spectacular juice. I bought this at auction for $38-$40 a bottle and because I was unaware of its storage, I was prepared to short decant it. Well…until I pulled the cork, smelled it and saw the color. This nearly 20 year old bottling is still big but with nice integration & evolution. I would say it has another 5-8 years of good life in it.

The palate fruit is ruby, ripe and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum. Mid berry cola, dark chocolate to pudding, mocha powder, wet clay, light, black pepper, Asian spice, dry-ish tobacco, black licorice, some dry herbs-sage dominate, limestone, dry top soil, dry brush, used leather, sandlewood, fresh to slightly withering, dark, purple, red florals set/framed in violets and lavender. The acidity is near perfect. The well balanced, structured, knitted finish is excellent and lingers minutes. Steal for the price. Another excellent gourmet burger wine. Beef Patties from El Salchichero. — 3 years ago

Ming L

9.4

Seductive nose of blueberry, cassis, cedar, dark roasted coffee bean,, nutmeg, peppery spice, touch of barnyard, and hint of tobacco. Probably the most harmonious palate I’ve had in an Aussie Shiraz. The oak and alcohol are totally integrated, with ample acidity and soft elegant tannins. Powerful and graceful.
What a surprise! — 6 years ago