Australia

Rating

90

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2013 - 2020

Reviewed by

Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Issue Date

25th Apr 2013

Source

206, The Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-brick in color, the 1998 Hill of Grace has a medicinal nose of iodine plus warm plums, prunes, licorice and espresso. A bit hard in the mouth, it has crisp acid, medium to firm, chewy and somewhat astringent tannins through the long finish. Mature now, it should keep through 2020+.

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.”  

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2008 Bin 620 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz (a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Shiraz) is a little restrained on the nose, presenting earthy, black truffle, moss covered bark and loam aromas over gentle notes of cassis, crushed blackberries, chocolate mint and pencil shavings, plus a fragrant whiff of cloves. Medium to full bodied, very ripe and rich in the mouth, the complex, layered fruit is densely packed and well supported by firm, finely grained tannins and very crisp acid. The finish is very long with a subtle hint of mint interspersed with warm berries, vanilla and baking spices. Consider drinking it 2015 to 2025+. Only about 900 cases were made of this wine.

Score: 98+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (199), February 2012

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+.  

Rating

95+

Release Price

NA

Drink Date

2014 - 2019

Reviewed by

 Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Issue Date

28th Aug 2014

Source

214, The Wine Advocate

Flaunting a gorgeous nose of ripe apricots, warm pineapples and green mango, with touches of cashew pieces, cedar, beeswax and toast, the medium-bodied 2012 Chardonnay delivers outstanding concentration of stone fruit and nutty/toasty flavor layers on the palate along with a racy line of acidity and a long finish that has a lovely, spicy character. Drink it now to 2019+.