Ranked #2 of 17 1996 Shiraz from Barossa Valley
95/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Deep, dark red colour with no tawny tinges, mellow red fruit and slightly minty aromas. The palate is intense and bright, lively and fresh, with elegance and understatement, which was uncharacteristic of Octavius in this period. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated, emphatic in its tannins, acidity and structure. A monster, a powerhouse. Impressive wine, with many years still ahead of it.
Tasted: 25/05/2016
Drink: 2016 to 2026
95 Points Robert Parker
The spectacular 1996 Shiraz Old Vine The Octavius is a basket-pressed Shiraz possessing huge power as well as massive, oozing, cedar and glycerin-imbued blackberry and cassis aromas and flavors. This superb effort is one of the great Old Vine Shiraz cuvees available in the marketplace. It should drink well for up to two decades.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Robert M. Parker, Jr. June, 2001
92 Points James Halliday
Dark, dense red-purple; aromas leap from the glass, ranging through vanilla, chocolate and mint, all in mega-mode. The palate simply oozes black cherry/berry fruit; lusciously concentrated but not extractive or, amazingly, over-oaked. Drink to 2021.
Source: James Halliday. March, 2000
The spectacular 1996 Shiraz Old Vine The Octavius is a basket-pressed Shiraz possessing huge power as well as massive, oozing, cedar and glycerin-imbued blackberry and cassis aromas and flavors. This superb effort is one of the great Old Vine Shiraz cuvees available in the marketplace. It should drink well for up to two decades. Source: Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) June, 2001 by Robert Parker