Very deep, dark, dense red colour with a tinge of purple, the bouquet extraordinarily oaky and loaded with smoky, ashy, charcoal-like aromas, and the fruit super-ripe and veering into almost 'dead fruit' territory. The wine is massive: full-bodied and oaky, with masses of slightly chewy tannins, and loaded with super-ripe prune and raisin flavours and touches of spice and liquorice, black coffee and very dark chocolate. It needs years for the oak to mellow. It's a style that doesn't appeal to me, but sends many others into paroxysms of delight. (1% viognier. Aged in 50% new oak for 2 1/2 years) Drink 2020 - 2039.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review. July, 2017