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
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
Excellent typical example of good Aussie Grenache. First impression is 'red Clare Riesling'. Clean with ripe red fruit (strawberry fruit roll-out). White pepper with a little heart. Best with a little chill. #blindtasting #australianwinetasting #yangarra #Grenache — 8 years ago
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
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
This is another blend. But this time it’s Cab, Syrah and Mourvèdre. — 5 years ago
Medium bodied with zesty citrus and underripe stone fruit. Crisp, clean, and petrol-y. — 7 years ago
So surprised by this Aussie Shiraz. Nicely balanced and has aged really well. — 7 years ago
Perfect in every way! Yo — 7 years ago
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
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
Never ever disappoints. Beautiful wine. As good as you get for $30. — 4 years ago
Wow! Another stunner that held together insanely well? And was agreed around the table could go for quite a while. Spicy eucalyptus, pine, with a strong structure that included non sulphured/sugared dried fruit leather, tabac, and Thai basil. Picture Keanu tasting this and saying “Whoa.” — 7 years ago

There's value here. Now need to try the Dead Arm. — 9 years ago
Paul St Clair
Powerfull well rounded blueberry and black currants. Soft tannins carrying pepper leather and tobacco. Well balanced with acidity that rounds out the red fruit flavors the wine is abundant with. — 7 months ago