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93 Points -- Wine Advocate
The backward 2004 Shiraz Heysen, aged 20 months in a combination of American and French oak, possesses a dense purple color as well as rich notes of blackberries, licorice, creosote, and camphor. This dense, full-bodied, ripe, powerful Shiraz includes 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is impossible to detect.
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92 Points -- Wine Advocate
One of Australia’s most traditional winemakers, Colin Kay fashions old style, high quality, distinctive Australian reds. Tarry, chewy, and fleshy, the 2003 Shiraz Hillside has a bit more punch (15% alcohol) as well as a sappy character that is not present in the regular bottling. It is a broad, savory, expansively flavored, full-bodied Shiraz to enjoy over the next decade.
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91 Points -- Wine Advocate
Fashioned from 40-year old vines, the opaque purple-tinged 2004 Shiraz reveals classic blackberry and cassis characteristics interwoven with notions of licorice and smoke. A meaty constitution offers density, richness, and plenty of fruit, glycerin, and extract. The richest of this trio, it should age gracefully for a decade or more given its impeccable balance.
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92 Points -- Wine Advocate
The impressive 2002 Grenache The Gomersal is produced from 40- to 50-year-old vines and spent 22 months in French oak. An elegant Barossa Grenache, its kirsch liqueur, pepper, and licorice-scented nose is followed by a medium to full-bodied, well-delineated red. The subtle aromatics are far more restrained than the bold, expansive, rich, concentrated palate. Noticeable tannin suggests 1-2 years of bottle age will be beneficial. This impressive effort should last for 12-14 years.
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92 Points -- Wine Advocate
The finest red in this portfolio is the 2004 Shiraz Dry Bore, which was aged 24 months in a combination of new and old French and American 300 liter hogsheads. This full-bodied Shiraz exhibits a beautiful texture as well as loads of blackberry and cassis fruit with hints of pepper and chocolate. Dense and chewy, it is best consumed over the next 5-6 years.
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93 Points -- Wine Advocate
The dense, chewy, rich, deeply-colored 2005 Shiraz is a full-bodied, ripe, intense wine, but does not reveal quite the same thrilling level of quality as the Cabernet. Nevertheless, it is no wimpy wine, boasting 16% alcohol as well as stunning richness and length. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.
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93 Points -- Wine Advocate
The dense purple-hued 2003 Syrah Liandra Vineyard reveals robust, meaty, smoky bacon fat characteristics along with black fruits and a hint of tar. Long and substantial, with a pure, well-balanced finish, it will drink well for 10-15 years.
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95 Points -- Wine Advocate
Rolf Binder’s top wines include the 2004 Hubris, a blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Mataro (Mourvedre). Fabulous aromas of blueberries, flowers, black raspberries, sweet cherries, graphite, earth, and espresso roast emerge from this fresh, full-bodied, intense wine. With tremendous length, definition, and vibrancy, it should drink well for 10-12 years.
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94 Points -- Wine Advocate
From 40-year-old vines, the extraordinary, super-intense 2003 Shiraz Barossa Valley possesses an opaque purple color as well as a big, full-bodied bouquet of creme de cassis, blueberry, creosote, smoke, and background oak, and a heady alcohol content. This limited production cuvee boasts purity and intensity in addition to a multidimensional personality. It should drink well for 7-10 years, possibly longer.
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91 Points -- Wine Advocate
The 2005 Shiraz delivers aromas of smoke, toast, violets, plum, and blueberry. Supple-textured and forward with plush, spicy blue and black fruit flavors, this easy-going Shiraz will provide pleasure over the next 10 years.
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