Bob McDonald

9.4

The first vintage of Bin 150 was 2008 so this 2010 was probably the best to that point. Very dark Ruby in colour - impenetrable. The nose has blood plum and blackberry with mocha and cocoa aromas. The palate is rich, dense and full bodied. Opulent with blackberry and dark chocolate. Built to last for decades. A very Barossa Penfolds Shiraz. — 17 days ago

Yan Gagnon

9.3

Assemblage de Shiraz, de Merlot, de Cabernet Sauvignon et Franc provenant de vielles vignes de la Barossa. Super nez de fruits noirs, tabac, cuir qui s'ouvre avec un peu de temps. La bouche est suave, avec des tanins souples. La finale est longue et savoureuse. Hill of grace ! Un jour. — 2 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Blend of Shiraz (77%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%) and Merlot (7%). Deep purple core with a lighter ruby rim. Aromas of cooked blueberries, plums and dark chocolate. Same fruits on the palate with additional spicy notes of black pepper and black licorice. Long and fruity finish. Creamy texture with soft and velvety tannins. The acidity is still quite lively. Medium-plus body. Aged beautifully. Thanks for the gift, Petey! — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

Mount Edelstone is Stephen’s favourite Henschke vineyard - planted in 1912 by Colin Angas and sold to Cyril Henschke in 1974. I have 7 vintages of Mt Edelstone in my home cellar but somehow missed the 2013 so I bought a bottle -released from the Henschke museum. This was absolutely delicious and early in its drinking window is to 2045+. Chosen for the masterclass to taste beside the current release 2019 as they were both from drought years. A beautiful fragrant perfume. Black pepper, sage, spice and plum pudding. First released at 6 years of age. A brilliant wine. Particularly loved by my wife Barb. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Rich, supple and delicious. A prime example of what the Barossa does so well, particularly in a good vintage. Blackberry, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and coffee grounds. Barb thought too much coconut oak but I didn’t think it was excessive. The next night ripe plum and oak- rich and mouth filling - through to the mid 2030’s. Your choice - rich and fruit driven or developed savoury notes or somewhere in between. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1998 “Command” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. Definitely some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and mostly dried black and red fruits: brambles, blueberries, blackberries, dates, grilled meat, leather, purple flowers, marjoram, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (mostly integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with the addition of an umami/Maillard reaction sort of thing giving a rich, savory finish. Drink now as it’s in slow decline. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.9

This is Stephen Henschke’s favourite vintage of H of G he said. This was the first vintage he bottled under screw cap and all subsequent vintages have been bottled that way. They have also experimented with the Vinolok glass stopper. As Stephen said “I love tradition and it is very important as a 6th generation family owned winery. However when tradition lets you down as it has with cork, there is time to evaluate better closures. “ He went on to say the 2002 has that distinctive Hill of Grace nose which you can’t define but it does have the trademark mint, spice and sage. The palate is profoundly intense and could go on for another 10 years but flirting with perfection right now. — 4 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Deep ruby , thin ruby rim . More discreet on the nose than the explosive Grange . More blackberry , dark plum , with a slight toasty note . Dark blackberry , cassis, red plum , good acidity and medium bodied , slightly more spiced palate . Balanced acidity and quite suave polished medium tannins . Just a hint of warmth on the good length finish . Compared to the Grange this comes across as slightly lighter in body and intensity with less of the Grange’s mineral complexity. Again requires time , but with food drank well , better in 5-10 years and will last well a further 10-15 . — a month ago

Daniel M

9.1

After Thorne shotfire barossa shiraz which was round, very oaky and lacking a bit of acid, I wanted another expression of the same varietal from the same region, but with more zing to it.
Boy this one is zingy!
The nose is showing blackberry, black pepper, a tiny soy sauce note along with an eucalyptus thing. This is very inviting and quite complex! The palate shows a massive acid drive, extremely powerful, but not overpowering at all. A big and bright blackberry note shines through and through, some width, some matter on the sides, a silky mouthfeel that turns into a great tannic wall in the rear with a strong grip and a drying effect that continues till the very end. The finish is all about blackberry and a reminiscence of that eucalyptus /mentholy note that could be felt on the nose. The finish is long and the after taste of blackberry keeps on for almost a minute. Great take on Australian Shiraz, without the artificial, sometimes overwhelming oak treatment. I like it very much. Two hands deserve a high five! — 3 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.4

Classic Torbreck. Layers of flavor including cherries, spice backed by rich chocolate. Lovely drink for a cold winters night! — 4 months ago