Bob McDonald

9.6

This is a riper style than is normal for Craiglee which is usually quite cold climate peppery. This is full bodied showing blackberry, spice, liquorice and some black pepper. Always a reliable top quality Shiraz. The vineyard is just to the north of Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport in cool climate Macedon. Could see out the 2020s in the Cellar. — 8 months ago

Michael Malpiedi

9.0

Rich and delicious, focused on fruit and oak. Purple black, flinty complex cab franc that’s mild on tannins and moderately acidic. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Spicy and peppery on the nose with a hint of apricot from the Viognier whose influence has diminished over the years. Red cherry and pepper on the palate. Generally regarded as one of the finest Shiraz blends in Australia. Cool climate - Intensity without weight. I love this style and this 2004 was a treat for the senses. Soft resolved fine savoury tannins. Sadly my last 2004 in 750ml although I did find a magnum after making this note. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Very dark Crimson particularly for a cool climate Tasmanian Cabernet. Aromas of dark plum, clove, tobacco leaf and oak spice on the nose with a medium to full bodied palate with dusty plum and integrated oak - perfect balance. Seamless with resolved tannin and finishing with persistent length. Matured in 100% French oak Barriques. After a couple of hours in the decanter a lovely left bank perfume of rose bush and brambles. A wonderful Cabernet (90%) by any measure and a fitting tribute to Peter Althaus, the founder, who passed away unexpectedly in early January aged 79 in his native Switzerland. I like many others said that Tasmania was too cool to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon but Peter Althaus proved us all wrong. Vale Peter. — 5 years ago

October Cleveland

9.0

At Lost In A Forest. — 7 years ago

Lev Lavrichtchev

8.9

Very nice — 7 years ago

Daniel K

9.2

A shining example of cool climate, domestic syrah — 8 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Huge spice on the nose. Cinnamon and allspice. Very Volnay 1er cru. Palate is high acid and so juicy but with semi decadent sweet, mid season cherry, stunning freshness. But closed and coiled initially. Now the nose js getting that 4d aspect. High acid, grainy texture, tannins are refined, they come across as lacey, and there is a restrained intensity, So insane. But needs 3-4 hours to get there. I will be back. Finish is epic. After 7 hours this is so epic. Nose is allspice, deep cranberry. Palate is so red fruited and spicey. Very long and unreal tannins but it’s still holding back. — a year ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Been a while delectable family. Flu then covid and only 3 wines in that period. Well I am back and smell and taste are as they were before all of this. Nose has peach skin, some ripe peach flesh but not too ripe, confectionary aromas. Loads of wet stones and pulverized shale. Super aromatic. Like a cross between Pfalz/Alsace. Palate is lean and precise. Really clean, balanced and so pure. Fiercely mineral. Lovely peach flesh, skin and sap on the very long finish. Really juicy and engaging. Delicious! — 4 years ago

Gor

9.5

As usual off the charts cool. Opened up over the course of a couple hours. Expressive nose of fresh cut red flowers, raspberries, black pepper, undergrowth, dried herbs, some vegetal hints. Fantastic concentration and elegance with fine tannins and beautiful acidity that ends in a medium+ finish. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Takes its name from the free-spirited gentleman named Bruscone who lived in the woods of the Barbi Estate. Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits and sweet herb notes. On the palate ripe cherry, plum and dried fruits with tobacco and cola notes, well balanced on firm tannins still with a good grip that loosens quickly. Long finish ending with mineral and earthy notes. Good now but will still benefit from a few more years. Went great with hearty pasta dish! — 6 years ago

Stacy Livingston

9.1

Warm and smooth with a spicy nose and some floral on the finish. Let it open up for a good long time and it was really cool! — 7 years ago

with Benjamin

Katherine Keim

9.0

Amazing Chilean wine! But it truly reaches its full potential when you drink it with shellfish, like fresh oysters or scallops! — 7 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.0

Cool climate shiraz deliciousness. Lovely tannin structure and smooth across the palate. Bramble notes and dark fruit. Yum. — 8 years ago

with David

Conrad Green

9.4

Very pretty. Initially some tropical notes. Settled into gorgeous lifted lemon fruit, subtle salinity and cool stone. Really poised and subtle- very Raveneau. Long and pretty. — 3 years ago

with Major-General and Bex

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Super mineral nose with discreet framing oak. Lemon flesh. Some rainer cherries. Saline and iodine. Subtle yet focused and incredibly complex nose. Such nice earth and mineral tones. Smells like Burgundy of yesteryear. Palate is so lean, salty and concentrated with a lingering hint of complex sweetness from the wood on the incredibly persistent finish. So juicy and leaning on the palate and just laser focused. So long. This has much more to give and has closed down a bit since I tasted it last. But a stunner. I’ll be back as it airs.

After 4 hours this is a wonder and has opened beautifully. Clear barely ripe granny smith apple, stunning mineral breadth and some white flowers. Palate is so juicy and saline. Luscious. It’s loosened up quite a bit. Long, structured finish. Super juicy. Fantastic. — 3 years ago

Morgan Leathers

9.4

Cervos good price — 5 years ago

Jim Chen

9.0

Aged cool climate Syrah from a consummate family. The tertiary flavors are stellar. — 5 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.5

Yes! My wine of the night appeared in the first quarter. I bought this early on at Les Marchands. So glad I kept it cool until today. That vineyard, my goodness. What a gem. Value and quality. — 6 years ago

with Mark

Ely Cohn

9.4

Pax Mahle makes majestic Syrah that is light and gentle as single vineyard cool climate Pinot. His wines encapsulate the best of the idiosyncratic grape in a more delicate than typical frame that is complex and lean, but neither thin nor meager.

His Wind Gap Majik single vineyard has funky expressive aromas of iodine, menthol, violet, olive, and black peppercorn. Flavors of herbs, unripe blackberry, and salty minerals. Tons of flavor and body at an astounding 11.5% ABV (2014 was 10.4%!).

P.S. considering buying his Pax Hillside which got 100 points from @Antonio Galloni last year. If anyone has tried 2017 please let me know how it was. — 7 years ago