91/100
4 Stars
Huon Hooke
A good rather than great Coonawarra with good depth, and still showing tannin grip. Surprisingly ripe tasting considering 1997 was such a cool season.
Tasted: 24/03/2013
Drink: 2013 to 2020
94 Points James Halliday
Youthful purple-red; the clean bouquet offers cassis, mulberry and blackberry fruit supported by impeccable oak handling. Good fruit in the cassis/blackberry spectrum runs throughout a palate distinguished by fine, ripe tannins, subtle oak and considerable length. This really is a successful Petaluma Coonawarra. Drink to 2012.
Source: James Halliday. October, 1999
92 Points James Halliday
Medium red-purple; the bouquet is clean and fresh, with excellent fruit and oak balance and integration, something missing from so many Merlots. The palate is fine, supple, elegant and long, with a mix of savoury/earthy and cassis fruit, finishing with persistent tannins which do dry out the finish ever so slightly. Drink to 2012.
Source: James Halliday. October, 2000