The Art of Blending

Peter Robinson "Dense, heady blackcurrant, blueberry and plum punch from the glass. The aromas are concentrated and tightly knit at first but after a little aeration, open up to reveal some sweet black cherry and violet. The concentration continues on the palate with youthful black berry fruits leading to sweet, clove spice that lingers on the finish. Although young, the tannins are ripe and provide perfect structure to the youthful fruits. This is the Eden Valley addition to the Garden series and when tasted next to the Barossa addition, had a comparative lightness but don’t be fooled, this wine still packs a punch."

Pale yellow with a chartreuse tint, the wine opens with bright aromatics of lime zest, lemon, green apple and a touch of honey. The entry is refreshing with ripe pineapple and grapefruit, framed by a nervy backbone of satiating acidity. A mid-palate of white peach and a hint of pith melds seamlessly into a long, energetic finish of wet stone and key lime.

97 Points – James Halliday

Shiraz from 100+yo vines, wild yeast open-fermented, matured in 70% new French oak. It proclaims its extreme class from the first whiff of blackberry, plum and licorice, but equally quickly disavows what might be characterised as a McLaren Vale cliche: overt dark chocolate. Instead spicy, savoury, beautifully structured tannins (and quality oak) add both textural and flavour complexity - all this with perfect line, length and balance.

The Two Worlds project is an amazing collaboration of Bob Egelhoff’s Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) and Michael Twelftree’s famed Two Hands Barossa Valley Shiraz. Michael flies over a bladder full of his very best Shiraz and Bob puts together the final blend. Production is minuscule with 480 etched Magnums produced each year. Few critics have had the pleasure to sample this rare gem however, it has garnered the No. 2 spot in the Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2010.

94 Points - James Halliday

A fragrant bouquet with multiple oriental spices defying precise description; light- to medium-bodied, with silky mouth feel, bright red fruits running through to a long finish uncluttered by tannins. Barossa Valley Grenache/Shiraz/Cinsault/Mataro/Carignan.

95 Points - Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)

It’s much like last year’s release with just a bit more weight. It’s a better wine as a result. This is a powerful, sturdy red, built Tonka Tuff, with blackcurrant, black olive and bay/gum leaf notes rumbling throughout. In flavour terms it’s almost into gravel territory, and indeed almost into coffee grounds/bitter chocolate. Ropes of muscular tannin pull assuredly through the fruit,. This will be a 25 year+ wine. It is excellent.

94 Points - James Halliday

37.5% shiraz, 35% mourvedre, 27.5% grenache, a mix of open and stainless steel fermentation, basket-pressed, 65% matured in 2500l French vats, 35% in used French oak for 16 months. As long as you are prepared to patient, this is a very distinguished Barossa Valley blend, taking it right up to McLaren Vale. Spiced red and black fruits leap from the glass on the bouquet, following through onto the fore-palate. The tannins need more time to soften, and will do so well in advance of the fruit diminishing.

97-98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Ethereal is a good place to begin and certainly one of the best bottles of Pinot Noir I have drunk sub fifty-pounds. You would be mistaken to believe this wine has a decade of aging behind it due to the tawny rim. The bouquet is astonishing, and again would deliver a verdict of a mature wine; dried rose petals, cherry, warm minerals and a lovely savoury undercurrent. Close your eyes and think autumn with a splash of wild strawberry. The palate is fresh, medium-bodied, precise, with acidity judged to perfection. The wine fans-out with a lovely garden savouriness with bay leaf, cedar and finishes with dried, blood orange. As with many wines, I am drawn to the wines texture and this is ultimately blessed. It’s simply effortless, harmonic and will fill you and your glass with serenity”. Served in a Zalto Burgundy glass

96 Points - James Halliday

Made in the same way as Clos Otto other than 9 days on skins and maturation in American oak (50% new). The American oak is much more assertive than French, its signal soaring on the first whiff, likewise the first sip. It works well here, tipping its hat to Grange, the flavours coating every corner of the mouth, yet doesn't overstay its welcome. And it pays no attention whatsoever to its alcohol.

92 Points - Josh Raynolds 

Inky red. Brooding, concentrated aromas of tarry blackberry, blueberry, graphite, pungent flowers and saddle leather. Very sweet but also quite nuanced, with a wild mix of bright red and musky dark fruit flavors joined by intriguing underbrush and mineral tones. Very fresh on the back, which features fine, suave tannins and a lifting note of acidity. This is awfully suave, not to mention complex. A long fellow.