Ranked #5 of 33 2018 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon from Heathcote
96/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Very deep, dense, concentrated red/purple hue. The bouquet is all about espresso coffee, dried plums, fruitcake and cranberry jam, with toasty-nutty notes conferred by generous use of new oak. Dried herbs, especially bay leaf. The wine is massively proportioned and phenomenally rich. Concentration plus, and the tannins are very ample but also soft and fleshy. A luxurious wine. Alcohol is super-abundant on the finish and aftertaste, but the flavour and structure are huge, and depending on your taste, it is balanced. (A blend of the best shiraz with Alan's Cabernets. 25 months in new French barriques)
Tasted: 26/07/2020
Drink: 2022 to 2043
It’s a celebration!! This is only the second time that there has ever been a consecutive release of
Duck Muck…and it does not disappoint. The 11th Duck Muck released. The aromatic spectrum is a deep, dark and
complex mix. Fruits of the forest, mixed berry compote and a hint of cigar box character. The mouthfeel is rich and full
bodied, yet creamy and smooth. Every character in this is complemented by another. Dark red to its core, it has layers
and layers of fruit with a hint of bitter amaro herb. The creamy palate is filled with red currants, pomegranate, sweet soy
and shaved lead pencils flavours, all beautifully caressed by the toasty oak and fine tannins to a very long finish line. An
exceptional, power-driven wine of tremendous length and complexity. 16.4% Vol. 81% Shiraz and 19% Alan’s Cabernet
Pressings. Enjoy over the next 10 – 25 years. Bottled in 750mL and magnum.