Delectable Blue

9.3

A really competent, well composed Shiraz. In some ways it reminds me of the fruit forward Penfolds 389s from the mid 90’s, but without the oak sledgehammer I seem to recall, or regrettably the length of finish.

Pepper and spice on the nose with a hint of the french oak bleeding through. A soft and delicate mouthfeel, with an almost velvety texture. Layers of berry, earth and spice with beautifully integrated sweet tannins and oak. Nice complexity but it’s just missing a touch on the length, otherwise immaculate. A very enjoyable wine. — 10 years ago

David MacMillan

9.3

Evolving quickly...... chalk was gone after 15 mins, replaced with a sledgehammer of chocolate and berries — 10 years ago

with Mike

Michael Corcoran

9.0

I mean really, can you get a better name for a big Aussie Shiraz ?!? — 10 years ago

Bre Colleen

10

Sweet but yummy!! — 11 years ago

Edward Zimmerman

9.7

Is it Pure? Great stuff. 2012 is a more elegant year for Chateauneuf du Pape and while still big, this isn't the sledgehammer it could've been, and that's a good thing — 10 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.0

Yessir. QPR king, and getting better in the cellar. Not quite the fruit sledgehammer it once was, but still full of California sunshine. What it lacks in complexity it more than makes up in pure, well balanced drinkability. Tuesday steak dinner winner. — 10 years ago

GHol

9.0

Sublime flavours that are a surprise given the inky purple/black colour. You'd expect a sledgehammer but you get a butterflies wings. Not the best grange but better for a few years in the cellar.
— 10 years ago

Sean Nelson

9.4

A Cab Franc sledgehammer. Nom. — 11 years ago

Jeannette Montgomery

9.2

Big and elegant, subtle and sledgehammer. Contradictory in the most delightful ways. Pre-release. — 11 years ago

Alex Shaw

9.1

Good minerality. Dusty tannins, nice structure and length. Not a sledgehammer. A great example of the vintage. — 10 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.4

2011. Complex nose. Deeply pitched ripe dark berry fruit, wood smoke and piercing rock dust notes. Sledgehammer powerful in the mouth. Almost overwhelming rich dry extract coats the mouth. Huge body. Finish is very long with pure dark berry notes and dark minerals competing to see who quits first. Great wine. But you have to pick your moments for this one. — 10 years ago

Quinn Canter

9.1

Sledged my hammer — 10 years ago

Preston Jackson

8.9

Solid Cabernet — 11 years ago

Anonymous

8.9

Lotsa balance and dried fruit character — 11 years ago