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. — a month ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2012 | Oomphs… what’s wrong with me… tasted blind I was perceptive that there was a disbalance in the wine. Bummer. — 2 months ago

Sagee Aran

8.9

On the jammy side. Too overwhelming — 3 months ago

Rina

9.5

Delicious Shiraz. I wasn’t expecting much from it as it’s from the grocery store & was already 5 years old with a twist top instead of cork. I am pleasantly surprised that the taste isn’t sour. This was definitely a win — 4 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. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

As you can see from my previous Delectable notes I normally drink Mollydooker reds, particularly Carnival of Love, on cold nights in Winter. This certainly worked. Aromatics of black plum and other black fruits. The palate is ripe, sweet and full bodied - quite thick and textured. Has come together somewhat after 15 years but still a very powerful McLaren Vale Shiraz. Jeb Dunnuck’s comment of “full bore and hedonistic “ sums it up. This was the #2 wine in Wine Spectators Top 100 of 2012. — 5 months ago

David Dorn

9.3

Beautiful wine! Wow!
— 6 months ago

Ethan Karas

9.2

South Africa throwback. Very good. — a month ago

Ed Chin

9.0

Full of dark fruit and acid to keep it fresh. A touch disjointed so it needs a few years to integrate. — 2 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.1

Wow, this wine has a lot of oak. Spiced French oak that doesn’t quite allow you to taste more. Surprising after 10 years. It did get a little better after an hour of decanting. But had expected more from a high-end Penfolds wine. — 3 months ago

with Tammy

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. — 4 months ago

Michael Coscetta

9.3

5 hour decant for the win — 5 months ago

Conrad Green

9.7

This is exceptional. Harmonious and intense. Light and precise. Great Syrah. Not too hot. Purity and the fruit is fantastic. I love this. Wow — 6 months ago

with Rick

Mark S.

9.0

Dark cherry red with purple edge. Chocolate nuance. Black pepper felt my deep throat and nose. Blueberry. Black currant and berry. Concentration. Nutmeg, clove. Sweet and spicy. Silky tannin. The Struie Torbreck 22 @8305, Toscan, 250405-250813 — 7 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

Wow… this is a wonderful Ozzie Shiraz in that typical, oldfashioned, high-octane, push-the-pedal-to-the-metal personality.
Beautifully aged, showing a mahogany rim plus great secondaries and tertiaries over the still abundant baked plum and blackberry goodness. I’m talking smoked meat, sweet licorice candy, cocoa nibs, caramel, black pepper and olives, espresso, damp forestfloor and BBQ sauce. Delicate hints of orange zest, uplifting balsamic acidity and soft yet palpable tannines make this quite a bold but very classy drink!
Deep, dark and dense. Last bottle of a sixpack and easily the best. Terrific!

I also like the clever, tongue-in-cheek message on the backlabel: “Your wish is our Command” 😁 — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Red and black fruits - a savoury plum character - also a note of creosote and tar. A lovely medium to full bodied palate - reeks of old vine Barossa Shiraz. Drinks well now but will easily last until 2030. Malcolm Stopp is the Brand Ambassador for Peter Lehmann and his comments are worth repeating, particularly the last sentence, “The bouquet beautifully incorporates dark briary fruits, chocolate and a touch of aniseed, whilst the finish is firm yet finely grained. A wine of great dignity that will continue to improve with still many years of careful cellaring. If you don’t like this wine there’s bugger all we can do……!!! — 2 months ago

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. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Woodcutter is entry level for Torbreck. For just under $20, a very good Shiraz for the money.

This is young and full throttle. Alcohol seems hotter than 15%. But their reds need time.

Lots of ripe; mulberries, blackberries to pie, gooseberries, black raspberries & dark candied black cherries. Anise into black licorice, sweet tarriness, black ground pepper, fresh tobacco, leather, barrel shavings, dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, dry crushed rocks, red flowers, lavender, violets, full round acidity and nicely balanced, big tensioned, well structured, lush, elegant, well polished finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on spice and pleasant earthiness.

It needs to shed its baby fat. Let rest another 3-5 years before opening. In Australian Shiraz hard to beat at this price point. — 5 months ago

Suzanne Verhulst

9.0

Earthy, natty, bright acidity and tannins, tart cherry, white pepper. Opens up quickly. Very pleasant. — 5 months ago

Ron R

9.4

Whoa, what a sublime presentation. Nose displays tobacco leaves, ripe cherries and a dusting of cedar.
Palate is regal - the definition of smooth. Raspberries everywhere. Immature tannins suggest that this should be left for a while. Nice weight and texture leads into a smooth maple syrup finish. Spice box also coming thru after exposure to air. Thank you, Rick.
Mens club, Pittsburgh. — 7 months ago

with Andrew and Rick