It has been a long time since I drank something like this. As I have often experienced with aged shiraz color degradation is nil. A powerful nose of plums, blackberries and licorice. In the mouth mostly dark fruit with hints of spice. Definitely not showing age, However not enough acid to stop it from getting “sloppy” at the end. Tannins resolved and alcohol held in check. — a month ago
Magnum presentation — a month ago
For a 38 year old wine this was drinking lovely! — 2 months ago
Had at Kavel's: Notes of dark cherry, cola, baking spice, a touch of vanilla oak, and soft tannins. — 3 months ago
Fresh and pristine even at 10 years of age. Arguably Australia’s best Riesling - certainly in the top 3. Aromatics of lime juice with a tiny hint of TDN (paraffin in this case) and a hint of honey. Overall ultra pure with M+ intensity and a touch of peach on the palate. This could be confidentally cellared for another 5 years for added complexity. Dry Riesling doesn’t get much better than this. — 2 days ago
Outstanding balance and lingering finish. Raspberry, Rainier Cherry, spice — a month ago
Pours a purple hue with some fading at the rim; aromas of black and red fruit; raspberry, blackberry, some dark cherry, and cassis; palate with good acidity, congruent with the nose; there is a bit of vanilla clove baking spice oak on the palate. Alcohol is moderate at 13.5; I like the wine, and I don’t drink a whole lot of American wines. The oak influence should be more delicate in my opinion, as the fruit is pretty elegant. It overwhelms a bit, and holds it back. I have doubts that this aspect will improve with bottle age, but I have another couple bottles and will leave in the cellar as an experiment. — 2 months ago
Good wine, nice depth to the fruit with long finish — 4 months ago
Golden color. Green apple and vanilla (light oak) on the palate. Age worthy. April 2026. — 5 months ago
The house style is still here with ripe, slightly over extracted blue fruits, baking spices, cocoa, and a plush velvety palate. But the fruits become less confectionary and some savory components have emerged. Acidity seems more apparent. Really nice integration.
I think Pinot bottlings from Belle Glos are at their best with 5-8 years bottle aging. This is another proof. — a month ago
8/2026. Bold , good fruit and sits well on the palate.
Mr. Friendly’s — a month ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 1996 Belle Epoque pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is vinous with generous white peaches, raspberries, white tree flower, marzipan and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The 1996 balance of acid and ripeness is so special. This gained energy with air. Drink now through 2036. Disgorged May of 2004. — 2 months ago
Amaze. Great body. — 5 months ago
Bob McDonald

Barb and I first tasted this wine at the winery in a structured tasting, as the 2019 vintage on 31 March 2021 and it was very impressive. A couple of years later I bought 6 bottles of the 2021 and this is the 2nd of those 6. Made by the dream team of Michael Hill-Smith (Australia’s first MW), David LeMire MW plus winemakers Martin Shaw and Adam Wadewitz. Appley notes, noticeable funk. More detailed notes over the course of the next 4 bottles in the next few years. A class act from the Adelaide Hills. — 4 days ago