Mary

9.5

One of my favorite reds — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

A Collection of great Australian Reds - Christmas Break up of the Tennis Group. Always a consistent Cuvée in the Penfolds stable but let down a little by the so so 2007 vintage in the Barossa. More savoury than fruit driven with liquorice and dark chocolate. — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Yesterday’s Wednesday Wine Committee lunch. Normal format of 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind.

Birth year Sauternes. Classic profile. Honey roasted cashews and orange marmalade aromatics. Rich and sweet notes of apricot and peach on the palate. Powerful yet not overbearing. I called this mid ‘90s Rieussec. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Will and 2 others

Bob McDonald

9.6

See 3 previous notes for the 2008 vintage (and one for the 2009). This was my final 2008 sadly. Without mincing words, this is one of my favourite Australian reds, and has been for a long time. Trademark white pepper, spice and liquorice. The plums and blackberry of its youth are now more savoury in style. Just a stunning wine which could compete with any top grade Cote Rotie. Unfortunately the price now reflects the high quality. In the Good Wine Guide of 2011 this was voted Best Shiraz and Wine of the Year. Nick Stock - 98 points. — 10 months ago

Kyra Williams

9.8

Tried this at rooftop event- love. Like kool-aid. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.6

Lots of fun bottles were popped at Al’s hosting this past weekend for his birthday celebration. All were served blind. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 6 reds and 1 dessert wine.

My WOTN. This was a total monster, yielding and unyielding all night long. It continuously went on a rollercoaster of revealing Classic American oak type notes like dill and coconut, but then it would fade and show pure fleshy black cherries and juicy, spicy rhubarb. It was weighty without being dense. Great lift on the palate with peppercorn, cherry tobacco leaves and clove. Still just a baby. I called this mid 2000s Vega Sicilia but couldn’t pinpoint if it was the Tinto or Unico. — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 2 others

Jon Ebsworth

9.0

Cotes de Catalan red with Guinea Fowl at Spring. Excellent fruit, not the graininess I can find in Grenache/Carignan reds at times. — 3 years ago

Co Hodge

9.5

First time having this wine and it's delicious! So smooth! Loving my reds! — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Rich Ruby in colour. Aromas of mocha oak, plum, cherry and blackberry. Hints of prune and dark chocolate. Great fruit quality - Cabernet 52% from Coonawarra and 48% Shiraz from the Barossa. The percentages are correct - they may tinker with the source from Penfolds vast resources. Dry but polished tannins. Typical of the longevity of nearly all Penfolds Reds, this is the first of 6 bottles at 13 years of age. Richard Hemming MW has a drinking window of 2020 to 2043 so this is just the beginning. Have the next in a few years. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Lots of fun bottles were popped at Al’s hosting this past weekend for his birthday celebration. All were served blind. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 6 reds and 1 dessert wine.

En mag. Probably the most difficult wine of the night to identify. Hardly anyone even got close to calling this cab. I was leaning Grenache or ripe vintage burgundy as I thought I was detecting a bit of whole cluster usage due to the lifted profile and stemmy/spice red fruit notes. Yet by the end of the night, the structure beefed up and the spice turned more sweet. Lovely cherry liqueur, sandalwood, baking spices and baked red fruited pie notes. — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 2 others