Bob McDonald

9.6

See several previous Delectable notes for this Cuvée. I have 2 bottles left after this one. Penfolds have a whopping drink window up to 2045. The colour is a pale mid crimson with a tawny rim. Mocha, dark chocolate and blackberry notes on the nose. From a low yielding cool vintage which is made for long cellaring. Absolutely superb at the moment. Great palate intensity (mulberry, black berry and dark chocolate) with mellow resolved tannins and a very long persistent finish. No wonder Penfolds tasting book is called The Rewards of Patience. — 7 days ago

Allyson O'Keefe

9.2

Smoke, tar, licorice, ripe berries, plum, subtle cinnamon sticks, and mocha throughout. Thin bodied and light, but so flavorful. — 2 months ago

Luke McGee

9.2

One that me dad’s been talking about since I was about 8. Didn’t disappoint. 31 years old, perfectly mellowed. Earthy, mushroom on the nose then cherry and raisin on the palette. Privilege to drink this fella — 2 months ago

Sagee Aran

8.9

On the jammy side. Too overwhelming — 20 days ago

Jan de Weerd

9.1

Wow, this wine has a lot of oak. Spiced French oak that doesn’t quite allow you to taste more. Surprising after 10 years. It did get a little better after an hour of decanting. But had expected more from a high-end Penfolds wine. — 22 days ago

with Tammy

Bob McDonald

9.1

A classic Coonawarra Cabernet nose of mint, herbs, blackberry and leafiness. Very vibrant and energetic for a 15 year old wine. Most of that carrying through to the medium to full bodied palate. One of the icons of the Australian wine scene, first produced in 1954 and one of the most collected wines in Australia. Very underpriced for its quality and pedigree. I might leave my last bottle for 5 years in its 20th year. It will easily travel the journey. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

As you can see from my previous Delectable notes I normally drink Mollydooker reds, particularly Carnival of Love, on cold nights in Winter. This certainly worked. Aromatics of black plum and other black fruits. The palate is ripe, sweet and full bodied - quite thick and textured. Has come together somewhat after 15 years but still a very powerful McLaren Vale Shiraz. Jeb Dunnuck’s comment of “full bore and hedonistic “ sums it up. This was the #2 wine in Wine Spectators Top 100 of 2012. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous Delectable note from August 2024. A rich deep Ruby in colour. Traces of vanilla oak (coconut oak has toned down since initial tasting). Ripe red and black (plum) fruits. On the palate rich, intense and full bodied - sweet blackberry with hints of aniseed. As I said in the previous note, wines like this show the Barossa at its best. Will drink well through to the end of the 2020’s. — 23 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Dark purple/black color. Aromas of cooked black fruit, violets and Asian spices. Blackberry compote, huckleberry, blueberry jam and black plum fruit flavors along with notes of chocolate, black licorice, basil, tobacco, coffee and vanilla. Hint of saline on the long and drawn out finish. High, but not obvious, alcohol (16%). Velvety texture and tannin structure. Plush, bold and powerful. Thanks for sharing, James W. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

See previous Delectable notes. The colour is dark Ruby red. Floral aromatics of violets and rose petals - a note of cracked pepper in this cooler vintage in a cooler terroir to begin with. Medium bodied with great concentration, persistence and length on the palate with red fruits, touches of meat and pepper. Gives up palate weight for those superb aromatics. My kind of wine (look at previous Delectable notes). — 2 months ago