86 Points Robert Parker
I would have enjoyed this wine more if it had not been for the overwhelming influence of vanilla and toasty American oak. The importer told me it was aged in 100% new American oak for 18 months. While it possesses a deep ruby color as well as plenty of blackberry and cherry fruit, it comes across as nearly overdone, with too much wood for the amount of fruit. Perhaps I caught it at a bad time, but my instincts tell me it is always going to display excessive new wood characteristics.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Robert M. Parker, Jr. October, 2002
95 Points James Halliday
One of the gold medal winners at the 2002 Visy Board Great Australian Shiraz Challenge. Deeply coloured; abundant dark plum, black cherry and vanilla aromas swirl from the glass, the palate rich in raspberry and plum fruit, the oak (very obvious at the start of the year) settling down impressively. Drink to 2012.
Source: James Halliday. October, 2002
91 Points Figjam
I'm usually critical of big for big's sake cult shiraz. This wine does have a rich sweetness common to many of these wines but this wine does it well. It's opulent - full of dark rich cassis and plum type notes but in no way overripe or burnt. Tannis are finer than you would expect. The 14% ALV is in not overly hot and the oak is unusually subtle. All in all a well balanced, big aussie shiraz that delivers pretty good value for money.
Consume with steak, pasta / all the usual for big shiraz. Drink in the next 1 to 5 years
April, 2012