All rights reserved. I broke the budget for a Christmas dinner wine that would evoke memories of one of the most scenic stops on my recent Australia tour, but I honestly can't call the expense fully justified. This inky dark blackish-purple wine is interesting and complex, but strong oak aromas and flavors are so dominant as to detract.
Soft tannins turn a bit astringent in a long raspberry and bitter-chocolate finish.
Interesting, complex, but klunky. The parts seem to be there for it to come together with time, but the oak is troubling. A decent match with a plump roast duck. We do ask, however, that the Wine Lovers' Page name and URL be left intact, and that these reports be used with the specific wines rated, not different bottlings or vintages. In order to maintain objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest, I accept no free samples from wineries or distributors, purchasing all the wines I rate at my own expense in retail stores.