Bright mid yellow. Citrus with wet straw, lanolin and a faint paraffin note. On the palate such purity with that zesty citrus and those waxy lanolin notes you get with mature Semillon. Enough acid to propel this wine into the 2030’s to achieve 25 years of age. Lovedale is one of the leading Semillons in the Hunter Valley - the vineyard being planted by Maurice O’Shea in 1946 and the first vintage in 1950. This was my first of 4 bottles, so , fun times ahead!! A multi Trophy winner in National Wine Shows. — 9 months ago
Decanted for two hours. This time around was pleasant with soft tannins. — 3 years ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2014 Classico pours a slightly hazy garnet with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing. Initially showing notes of stewed red fruits, however with about 30 minutes of air, the fruits freshened up. Morello Cherry, macerated strawberry, dried roses, tar, leather, gravelly earth, and a pleasant mix of cool spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium plus; grippy and savory. An often maligned vintage in Piemonte, particularly in Barolo (though some outstanding examples exist). However, in Barbaresco, there was more success and this is an example. Drink now through 2034. — a day ago
Very pleasant blend out of Pauillac; 67% Cab Sauv, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cab Franc work so harmoniously together that delivers an enjoyable medley of red berries and black currant aromas and taste. This particular wine has been aged for 18 months in 75% new wood French barrels, which shows it finesse and precision on the elegant finish and mouthfeel. Unbelievably smooth and noble on the palate. Enticing finish and incredibly structured tannins. This wine can age beautifully! — 2 months ago
A really pleasant blend. Not too anything. — 2 years ago
Opaque black dark red colour with a bright red to dark hue. Smoky dark plum and liquorice scents and peppered clove scents Rich plum and liquorice fruits carry good weight and it has a plush feel across the palate. Scorched earth, dried meats, Very polished tannins yet structurally sturdy and firm. The long finish has black pepper characters. — 2 months ago
Beautiful subtle aroma from Merlot makes it pretty. Its free spirit nose makes you feel what the wine is going to be about. Drinkable and fresh. Apparently missing weight but it doesn’t miss a bit all the way thru the tasting. The aftertaste is long and very, very pleasant after one minute. — a year ago
Bob McDonald
Even though this wine is 27 years old I might have opened this a little early. This will cruise to its 40th birthday without a problem. This was the period when Hunter Valley decided to emulate the big ripe oaky styles of South Australia instead of sticking to the HV medium bodied savoury style which Maurice O’Shea himself pioneered back in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. A palate staining and concentrated palate of profound intensity with a black fruited perfume. An impressive wine but thankfully the Maurice O’Shea Shiraz of the last 10 to 15 years have returned to their medium bodied roots. — a month ago