Light to medium red-purple; marries elegance and intensity, the cassis aromas and flavours tempered by 19 months in new and one-year-old French barriques that play a significant role in shaping both the flavour and texture of the wine. It emerges as a merlot demanding respect. Drink to 2022.
Source: James Halliday. February, 2012

Pure cassis bouquet, highlighted by cigar box and a suggestion of florals; elegantly structured with ample levels of sweet red fruit and quite slippery tannins to conclude; certainly a sleeper and a very good example from the vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Shiraz/Petit Verdot. Drink to 2020.
Source: James Halliday. February, 2010

Tasted this back in January (as did CM) as a pre-release for the Big Red Wine Book and it was one of the stars of those tastings. A wine that immediately grabs you and makes you go “ooh er, that’s a bit good then”, leaving you with little doubt when it comes to plopping a rating on its little screwcapped head. I’m sure another sample will come along any tick of the clock as it’s just been released, so I’ll try it again and comment further, or lament, as I’ve just bought six bottles on the strength of this initial tasting. It’s our little boy’s birth year you know.
Fabulous wine of concentration and deliciousness and terrific length and, well hmmm, general impressiveness. Violets, blackcurrant and blackberry with positive oak that tastes of espresso and vanilla. It has density without heaviness and excellent smooth mouth saturating flavour and tannin. In the mould of the 2005 perhaps? Top end wine, no question.

More Petaluma Coonawarra? You want more? Click here.


Rated : 96/94 Points
Tasted : Jan09/Jun10
Alcohol : 14%
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2017 - 2027

Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, 5 October 2009