Ranked #34 of 103 2008 Shiraz from Barossa Valley
90/100
4 Stars
Huon Hooke
Deep red colour, slight purple. Toasty barrels, earth, plum and green herb aromas, not all that come-hither. Rather plain aromas and flavours. Full-bodied, without great style. Whilst the body is quite full, the tannins are a bit assertive and seem a little out of balance. Needs more time. A good, but not outstanding Stonewell.
Tasted: 09/03/2012
Drink: 2012 to 2028
92 Points Robert Parker
Deep garnet-black colored, the 2008 Stonewell Shiraz presents relatively youthful notes of warm black plums, blackcurrant cordial and crushed blueberries over licorice, chocolate box and yeast extract. Full bodied, ripe, rich and expressive in the mouth, it is adeptly structured with refreshing acidity and a firm level of grainy tannins. The long finish provides layers of dark fruit and spice flavors. Drinking well now, it should continue to evolve gracefully through 2021+.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. December, 2011
97 Points James Halliday
There is an ever-rising theme of restraint in Stonewell, and the cool January and February of 2008 reinforced this style, picked largely prior to the unforgettable heatwave in early March. The result is one of the great Stonewells of all time, with a tannin structure that is a revelation: superfine, almost mineral in its textural presence, yet with a grip and a control that promise great things in two decades time. There is immense concentration of black fruits, coal steam, liquorice, even a hint of Barossa metwurst, yet it carries with remarkable precision and immense control. Drink 2028 - 2038.
Source: James Halliday.
97 Points Tyson Stelzer
There is an ever-rising theme of restraint in Stonewell, and the cool January and February of 2008 reinforced this style, picked largely prior to the unforgettable heatwave in early March. The result is one of the great Stonewells of all time, with a tannin structure that is a revelation: superfine, almost mineral in its textural presence, yet with a grip and a control that promise great things in two decades time. There is immense concentration of black fruits, coal steam, liquorice, even a hint of Barossa metwurst, yet it carries with remarkable precision and immense control. Drink 2028 - 2038.
Source: Tyson Stelzer.