A single-vineyard wine that contains about 85% Shiraz, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache, this is an incredibly concentrated wine. Slightly lifted aromas keep it from seeming heavy, but the flavors are dense and fudge-like, chocolaty and superripe. Dusty tannins on the finish suggest cellaring through 2010, and it should age well through at least 2020.
— J.C.
(11/1/2007)
Perfumed and floral at first, but this wine also features some deeper, darker notes of black pepper and black olive. It’s plenty rich on the palate, oozing with earth and cola flavors that stay lively through the finish. Drink now–2015.
— J.C.
(11/1/2007)
A blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre and even a tiny bit of Muscadelle, this is perfumed and floral on the nose, but it also boasts scents of cinnamon, coffee, chocolate and earth. It’s lush and dense on the palate, rich and creamy in weight and texture, ending with hints of vanilla and spice. Approachable now, but should drink well for up to…
— J.C.
(11/1/2007)
Right out of the gate, there’s a pungent aroma of cat pee, plus nuts and floral notes. With time, the pungency subsides, revealing pretty honeysuckle notes that usher in peach and Fuji apple on the palate. Has persistence, medium body and holds fast on the finish. Imported by The Colonial Wine Company Pty Ltd.
— D.T.
(6/1/2006)
A blend of fruit from the northern end of the Barossa, this is dark and loamy, filled with earth, spice and tobacco, but also featuring hints of meat, black olive and blueberries. The mouthfeel is lush and soft, and despite some slightly cooked fruit there’s surprising freshness on the dusty finish. Drink now–2015.
— J.C.
(11/1/2007)
Like a couple of other Colonial Estate 2005s, this has a lifted nose that flirts with volatile vinyl and acetone scents, then settles down to deliver spice and chocolate. This is really fudge-like and dense, picking up hints of pepper on the finish along with some dusty tannins. Should be long-lived for Australian Grenache; drink now–2015.
— J.C.
(11/1/2007)
Sensationally clean on the nose, with freshwater stream minerality mixed with pure peach and pear. Not much to find issue with here; the grapefruit and tangerine flavors are nice, the mouthfeel is textured yet upright, and the finish is zippy and plenty long. Imported by The Colonial Wine Company Pty Ltd.
— W.E.
(7/1/2005)