Cork completely crumbled during removal - no device could get it out. Strained it through unbleached cheese cloth to decant. Lots of sediment. For a 15 year old wine, it surprisingly hadn't changed much. It's still very jammy (sour cherries, red raspberries, licorice), pretty sweet, fresh, with a long finish. Good juice, but more sweet than I can for these days.
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Wow...talk about unique (extra points for that). I've never had a wine so predominately licorice...on the nose and palate. If you love black licorice this is the wine for you. Technically, this wine scores highly as it is totally together...it has great balance., good acidity, full bodied, and an extraordinary long finish. On the mid-palate there are (sour) dark fruits that give it a 'jammy' component. Very complex. Additional notes of coffee, eucalyptus, and meat. It's rustic and strong. You will either love it (95) or tire of it quickly (85), thus the 90 score. I have one more which we will have by end of 2014 - I can't wait to see where this one goes from here...what a ride!
Update: The second night the overwhelming profile of this wine was raspberry and other dark berries with the licorice in the background. Tannins were fully integrated and now this wine is not polarizing at all. Good sign....add 2 points.
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A big jammy wine. Lots for ripe fruit with mild tannins. One glass is great, but then I am tired of the big jammy taste and want to switch. It has integrated nicely over the last 12 years. About 5 years ago it went through a brussel sprout phase... ugg. Better now.
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This was a well-made Barossa that is ready to drink now but with enough structure to last another 3+ years. Appeals to those who like a more earthy, rustic Shiraz. Not my style - hence the below 90 score.
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A great Aussie wine. Fruit (blackberries and blueberries) and flowers (lavender and violets) on the nose. Med-full bodied, very veltety and smooth. Tastes are similar to the aromas, with the addition of some licorice and spice on the finish. Everything is in balance, not over the top, only 14.5% alcohol. The Viognier really tames the wild fruit flavors and the french oak adds additional complexity and elegance. After two hours, a hint of leather is on the nose and palate. It's so good right now, I can't imagine it gets better, yet there is still enough acidity and tannin left to give it up to 5 years of good drinking. Was sublime with Australian Lamb chops. One of the best 'outstanding' wines I've had. 93+
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12/26/2015 - wine4ever Likes this wine: 89 Points
Cork completely crumbled during removal - no device could get it out. Strained it through unbleached cheese cloth to decant. Lots of sediment. For a 15 year old wine, it surprisingly hadn't changed much. It's still very jammy (sour cherries, red raspberries, licorice), pretty sweet, fresh, with a long finish. Good juice, but more sweet than I can for these days.
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12/26/2012 - wine4ever wrote: 92 Points
Wow...talk about unique (extra points for that). I've never had a wine so predominately licorice...on the nose and palate. If you love black licorice this is the wine for you. Technically, this wine scores highly as it is totally together...it has great balance., good acidity, full bodied, and an extraordinary long finish. On the mid-palate there are (sour) dark fruits that give it a 'jammy' component. Very complex. Additional notes of coffee, eucalyptus, and meat. It's rustic and strong. You will either love it (95) or tire of it quickly (85), thus the 90 score. I have one more which we will have by end of 2014 - I can't wait to see where this one goes from here...what a ride!
Update: The second night the overwhelming profile of this wine was raspberry and other dark berries with the licorice in the background. Tannins were fully integrated and now this wine is not polarizing at all. Good sign....add 2 points.
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9/21/2012 - awineo Likes this wine: 90 Points
A big jammy wine. Lots for ripe fruit with mild tannins.
One glass is great, but then I am tired of the big jammy taste and want to switch.
It has integrated nicely over the last 12 years. About 5 years ago it went through a brussel sprout phase... ugg. Better now.
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1/1/2009 - Al-Vino wrote: 88 Points
This was a well-made Barossa that is ready to drink now but with enough structure to last another 3+ years. Appeals to those who like a more earthy, rustic Shiraz. Not my style - hence the below 90 score.
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4/17/2008 - wine4ever wrote: 93 Points
A great Aussie wine. Fruit (blackberries and blueberries) and flowers (lavender and violets) on the nose. Med-full bodied, very veltety and smooth. Tastes are similar to the aromas, with the addition of some licorice and spice on the finish. Everything is in balance, not over the top, only 14.5% alcohol. The Viognier really tames the wild fruit flavors and the french oak adds additional complexity and elegance. After two hours, a hint of leather is on the nose and palate. It's so good right now, I can't imagine it gets better, yet there is still enough acidity and tannin left to give it up to 5 years of good drinking. Was sublime with Australian Lamb chops. One of the best 'outstanding' wines I've had. 93+
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