87 points
Barossa Valley, South Australia. 14%
Not as exciting as the 2006 by a long shot. Warm bordering on over-ripe fruit balanced by hefty added acid.
88 points
Margaret River, Western Australia. 14.5%
This is a very good wine but I’m marking it down a few points because it’s just a bit to showy. The oak is obtrusive, dry and a bit raspy. And the alcohol is too high. I know it is young but I have major doubts that this will properly knit together, at least into something fine.
So breathe the wine now and enjoy it young as a showy wine. Nice flavours even if it lacks mid palate density.
87+ points
Adelaide Hills, South Australia. 12.5%
Light colour. Pleasantly savoury. I’m at a loss to know where this wine might go, I’m not used to drinking such young reds.
I suspect it’s not for very long aging.
90 points
Moulis, Bordeaux. 12.5%
A good bottle. Not the most profound Bordeaux but this bottle has aged character with some freshness, even a hint of new oak lurking far in the background. Savoury, food friendly though not particularly concentrated.
91 points
Hunter Valley. 12.8%
Gorgeous complex aromas of leather and tiny trace of brett.
Savoury sweet med bodied palate. Soft tannin. Surprisingly spritzig which requires shaking off.
