Australia |
1986 |
Penfolds Grange |
2 |
Bottle |
|
75cl |
£425 |
One of my favorite wines from Penfolds, the 1986 (a blend of 87% Shiraz and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon) is one of the most powerful Granges produced (14+% alcohol). At age 23, it reminds me of the way it tasted around 9 years of age. Inky/purple to the rim with an extraordinary perfume of sweet licorice, crushed pepper, blackberry liqueur, camphor, and barbecue spices, this sensationally full-bodied, concentrated, layered 1986 is still an infant in terms of its ultimate potential. It is remarkable how this wine has aged, and it’s hard to believe how certain wine geeks will subscribe to the aging ability of the Grange, but don’t believe the same is true for other old vine Shiraz wines from the Barossa and McLaren Vale. It just doesn’t make any sense. The 1986 is one of the greatest Granges for my palate, and it appears to still have 25-30 years of upside. (98+ points)
Score: 98
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2009-2039
Tasting Notes |
|
98 |
Australia |
1995 |
Henschke Hill of Grace |
2 |
Bottle |
|
75cl |
£400 |
Score: 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (135), June 2001
Tasting Notes |
|
92 |
Australia |
1996 |
Magpie Estate The Malcolm Shiraz |
5 |
Bottle |
|
75cl |
£350 |
Rating
99
Release Price
$100
Drink Date
1998 - 2038
Reviewed by
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Issue Date
26th Jun 1998
Source
117, The Wine Advocate
An Austrian winemaker named Rolf Binder, who is also the winemaker for Veritas, has produced this intriguing wine. It takes winemaking to the extreme, yet manages to pull it off without producing a total freak.. How do you describe a wine such as this? Yields were a minuscule one ton of fruit per acre from 60-year old vines, production was 100 cases, and the wine's alcohol content is a mammoth 16.5%. This wine, which lasted four days in the bottle before I decided to pass the balance through my bowels, displays an opaque black/purple color, and exotic, coffee, chocolate, Asian spice, roast duck, and blackberry and prune liqueur-like aromas. To say the wine is unctuously-textured is an understatement. This wine looks like 10-W-40 motor oil. Very thick and dry, yet remarkably balanced, with fabulous purity, and a finish that goes on for nearly a minute, this spectacular Shiraz will become more civilized with each year of aging. It is the type of wine some Pomerol estates produced in such vintages as 1947, 1949, and 1950, but would not dare to fashion today because modern oenologists refuse to let the grapes become this ripe. A winemaking tour de force, The Malcolm Shiraz should age effortlessly for 40 or more years.
Tasting Notes |
|
99 |
Australia |
2002 |
Marquis Phillips Integrity Shiraz |
2 |
Bottle |
|
75cl |
£140 |
Reviewed by
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Issue Date
23rd Aug 2003
Source
148, The Wine Advocate
The virtually perfect, limited production (1,000 cases) cuvee of 2002 Shiraz Integrity is a 100% Shiraz fashioned from four specific vineyard blocks (surprisingly young vines of 4-6 years in age). It boasts terrific minerality, structure, definition, and prodigious levels of concentration as well as perfume. An inky/black color is followed by aromas of melted road tar, licorice, Asian spices, sweet creme de cassis as well as blackberries, and a hint of acacia flowers. There is compelling density, great purity, and tremendous viscosity, yet it is not over the top. There is real definition/delineation to this large-scaled Shiraz. It was aged in 100% new American oak for 13 months. A tour de force in winemaking, it stood out as one of the most singular and greatest wines I tasted for this report. Anticipated maturity: now-2012. Two of South Australia’s leading viticulturists/winemakers are undoubtedly husband and wife Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Their goals are common sense ones of “creating fruit weight, velvety sensations, and harvesting on ripeness, not sugar readings.” Perhaps their finest accomplishment has been to prove that high quality wines can be produced at a price point that thrills most wine consumers. P.S. Perhaps another way to think of these wines is that they are XXX-rated stuff. They’re not exactly wines for those wanting finesse, lightness, restraint, or intellectual challenge. These are totally decadent homages to joy and yumminess. Or, as a friend of mine said, they are “fragrantly delicious.”
Tasting Notes |
|
99 |
Australia |
2003 |
Ten Minutes by Tractor Pinot Noir Reserve |
1 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£210 |
|
|
|
Australia |
2004 |
Heathcote Wild Duck Creek Duck Muck |
8 |
Bottle |
|
75cl |
£215 |
Rating
96+
Release Price
$300
Drink Date
2006 - 2026
Reviewed by
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Issue Date
26th Dec 2006
Source
168, The Wine Advocate
A wine of extraordinary intensity, richness, and extract (yields were .5 tons of fruit per acre), the 2004 Shiraz Duck Muck is a totally dry red that tips the scales at 17.5% alcohol. While it pushes the limits of civilized drinking, it is neither pruny nor hot, and should be tasted with an open mind and no hidden agenda (not as easy as one might expect, especially for Eurocentric palates). Inky/purple to the rim with a glorious perfume of crushed rocks, acacia flowers, blueberries, blackberries, creosote, and vanilla, it was aged in 100% new, heavily toasted French and American barrels for two years prior to bottling. It is nearly off the charts in terms of richness and extract. Although not for everybody, for those who are not reactionary in their tastes, it is an amazing wine that will be fascinating to follow over the next two decades.
Tasting Notes |
|
96 |
Australia |
2004 |
Clarendon Hills Astralis |
1 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£750 |
Rating
98
Release Price
$325
Drink Date
2010 - 2040
Reviewed by
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Issue Date
31st Oct 2006
Source
167, The Wine Advocate
One of Australia’s most prodigious Syrahs, Clarendon Hills’ 2004 Syrah Astralis is fashioned from vines planted in 1920, and spends time in 100% new French oak from the cooper, Cadus. It boasts off the charts intensity as well as an opaque purple color, and notes of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, roasted coffee beans, pepper, smoke, and a hint of sweet toasty oak. This full-bodied, rich, intense, backward Syrah needs 2-3+ hours in the decanter if one is going to approach it at this point in its life. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040+.
Tasting Notes |
|
98 |
Australia |
2004 |
Greenock Creek Shiraz Creek Block |
1 |
Case |
12 |
75cl |
£1,075 |
|
|
95 |
Australia |
2004 |
Chris Ringland Dry Grown Shiraz |
2 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£2,400 |
Rating 100
Drink Date NA
Reviewed by Jay S Miller
Issue Date 22nd Dec 2009
Source 186, The Wine Advocate
The 2004 Chris Ringland Shiraz is from another top vintage. Like the other wines, it spent 42 months in new French oak. Aromas of scorched earth, pencil lead, espresso, black currant and blueberry lead to a dense, complex, youthful wine with layer upon layer of succulent fruit, impeccable balance, and a decade of aging potential. Chris Ringland is a relatively modest bloke who gives most of the credit for his extraordinary wines to his nearly 100 year old vineyard. He now has 21 vintages under his belt the results of which place him with Marcel Guigal, Gerard Chave, Christophe Baron, Manfred Krankl, and Michel Chapoutier as the international grandmasters of Syrah/Shiraz.
Tasting Notes |
|
100 |
Australia |
2005 |
Torbreck Shiraz The Laird |
3 |
Case |
3 |
75cl |
£1,250 |
|
|
100 |
Australia |
2006 |
Magpie Estate The Malcolm Shiraz |
5 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£420 |
|
|
96 |
Australia |
2010 |
Penfolds Bin 170 Shiraz Kalimna Vineyard Block 3C |
1 |
Bottle |
|
75cl |
£675 |
Rating
98
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2014 - 2025
Reviewed by
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Issue Date
27th Feb 2014
Source
211, The Wine Advocate
Commemorating 170 years of Penfolds and made with grapes from vines around 100 years old, in particular the Kalimna 3C clone, which is a block that almost always makes it into Grange, the deep purple-black colored 2010 Bin 170 Shiraz Kalimna Vineyard Block 3C absolutely “wows” with intense creme de cassis and mocha aromas that are quite meaty and nutty plus accented by some earthy undertones, hints of baking spices, mint and touches of violets. Very concentrated and complex on the medium to full-bodied palate, the firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acid lend support to the very rich, long and layered finish. Drink it now to 2025+.
Tasting Notes |
|
98 |
Australia |
2010 |
Penfolds Cellar Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
2 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£675 |
Deep garnet-purple in color and sporting a very forward and expressive, creme de cassis-led nose with hints of dried mint, dark chocolate and cigar boxes plus a whiff of dried herbs following, the full-bodied 2010 Cellar Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, concentrated and classic Barossa Cabernet style shaped by medium to firm, grainy tannins and crisp acid. It finishes very long. Drink now to 2015+.
Tasting Notes |
|
92 |
Australia |
2012 |
Penfolds Grange |
3 |
Bottle |
|
150cl |
£750 |
Rating
99
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2019 - 2045
Reviewed by
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Issue Date
31st Oct 2017
Source
233, The Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2012 Grange sports an earthy/meaty nose with notes of tree bark, dusty earth, underbrush and chargrill over a core of dried mulberries and Christmas cake, plus hints of pepper and baking spices. Rich, medium to full-bodied and seductive, it has spicy layers and a long meaty/savory finish.
Tasting Notes |
|
99 |
Australia |
2012 |
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon |
1 |
Case |
12 |
75cl |
£550 |
Rating
95
Release Price
NA
Drink Date
2016 - 2027
Reviewed by
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Issue Date
28th Apr 2016
Source
224, The Wine Advocate
Deep garnet in color with a slight purple in the rim, Moss Wood's 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with notes of crème de cassis, blackberry tart and anise with nuances of cloves, cedar, pencil lead, menthol and dark chocolate. Medium-bodied with oodles of opulence and spice on offer in the mouth, it has a gorgeous velvety texture, just enough freshness and great length.
Tasting Notes |
|
95 |
Australia |
2014 |
Yalumba The Caley |
1 |
Case |
3 |
75cl |
£485 |
Rating
96
Release Price
$350
Drink Date
2021 - 2035
Reviewed by
Joe Czerwinski
Issue Date
14th May 2020
Source
May 2020 Week 2, The Wine Advocate
A blend of 82% Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Barossa Shiraz, Yalumba's 2014 The Caley leans heavily toward Cabernet on the nose, boasting scents of mint, cassis and cocoa. In the mouth, the Shiraz helps round out the full-bodied palate and lends a velvety edge to the considerable tannins. This third vintage of Yalumba's new flagship is the most approachable yet, finishing with plush richness, great concentration and admirable length.
Tasting Notes |
|
96 |
Australia |
2014 |
Penfolds Grange |
2 |
Case |
6 |
75cl |
£1,950 |
Rating
98
Release Price
$850
Drink Date
2025 - 2050
Reviewed by
Joe Czerwinski
Issue Date
4th Oct 2018
Source
October 2018 Penfolds New Releases, The Wine Advocate
Rich, concentrated and intense, the 2014 Grange delivers exactly what we've come to expect from this Penfolds icon wine. It's full-bodied, velvety in feel and loaded with plummy fruit, framed in vanilla and cedar. Dense, powerful and tannic, it should prove to be long lived, even by Grange standards. Gago doesn't rate the vintage overall that highly, but he says the selection this year for Grange was a bit more stringent and that production levels were just average. There are still over 1,000 cases for the United States.
Tasting Notes |
|
98 |
Australia |
2015 |
Yalumba The Caley |
4 |
Bottle |
|
150cl |
£375 |
“Regal. A great Caley”. 98 points, Nick Stock for James Suckling.
“A stonking cabernet shiraz with great potential - but also marvellous to drink now.” 97 points, Huan Hooke for the real review.
“The beautifully seductive aromatics of the Coonawarra cabernet are evident immediately. That is just the start to a compelling mix of minerally, leafy, cool mint. The palate delivers with that shiraz core providing depth and power to fill out the cabernet.” 98 Points, Ray Jordan.
“This is an impressive wine and an expensive one, clear of purpose, clarity, power, intensity and detail. A benchmark cabernet and shiraz meld.” 96 Points, Ned Goodwin for Halliday Wine Companion.
Tasting Notes |
|
98 |
Australia |
2015 |
Yalumba The Caley |
5 |
Case |
3 |
75cl |
£477 |
“Regal. A great Caley”. 98 points, Nick Stock for James Suckling.
“A stonking cabernet shiraz with great potential - but also marvellous to drink now.” 97 points, Huan Hooke for the real review.
“The beautifully seductive aromatics of the Coonawarra cabernet are evident immediately. That is just the start to a compelling mix of minerally, leafy, cool mint. The palate delivers with that shiraz core providing depth and power to fill out the cabernet.” 98 Points, Ray Jordan.
“This is an impressive wine and an expensive one, clear of purpose, clarity, power, intensity and detail. A benchmark cabernet and shiraz meld.” 96 Points, Ned Goodwin for Halliday Wine Companion.
Tasting Notes |
|
98 |