93 Points | International Wine Cellar , July/August 2012

(made from vines that were reportedly planted in 1853, with no replantings):  Bright ruby-red.  Intense, spice-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry and rose, with smoke and mineral accents gaining strength with air.  Juicy and supple in texture, offering deep red fruit liqueur flavors that are lifted and sharpened by tangy acidity.  Seamless on the finish, which shows a darker berry quality and hangs on tenaciously.  I find this wine surprisingly approachable but would hold on to it for at least another five years as it has the depth to reward patience.  I also had the chance to re-visit the outstanding 2005 Mad Hatter Shiraz, which is aging at a snail's pace but offering loads of sweet dark berry and exotic floral pastille character, with supple texture and impressive finishing power.

90 Points | Wine Spectator

93+ Points | Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate