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October 2009
I was anticipating some signs of age however the body on this wine was violet trailing ever so slightly to its edges. So much for thinking this one was on the decline! The nose was presenting hints of barnyard and caramel with plums / prunes being the primary fruit aromas. It also had characteristics of torched earth and tar. We tested a little bit and decided to decant to allow it to open further. On the palate, the wine was out of this world, showing off complex layers of elegant, dark red fruit flavors with smooth dark tannins on a epically long finish. Overall, the entire experience was very old world in its style with the nuances and intricacies being the highlights rather than over extracted fruit. The wine evolved considerably over the one or so hours it was decanted, and after about 30 minutes, the tannins had softened considerably which added to the experience.91 Points
This wine is part of abryksa's:
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May 2009
On to the wine, out of the bottle it is clean and is brick like in color trailing to orange hues on its edges. On the nose, there is a touch of game, with blackberries and notes of fortified oak. At the temperature tested of 19 degrees Celsius, there were also some hints vegetation which adds some unique character. In the mouth, this wine is fresh with tart cherries up front with great balance and acidity. It has smooth tannins and a long finish to round out the experience.
This wine is part of abryksa's:
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April 2009Compare and Buy
$15.19
Out of the bottle, this wines coloring is purplish black. It is so dark and concentrated that it cannot be seen through, even when put up to a light. The nose has aromas of freshly ground coffee, spices and herbs with a base of concentrated fruit (thinking plums, dark berries). There are additionally hints of toasted oak. In the mouth, there is powerful fruit up front moving into charred coffee and oak over a medium finish. It has uncompromisingly rich concentration with massive extraction. If you were to look up fruitbomb in the dictionary, you might find this wine referenced.
This wine is part of abryksa's:
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January 2009
You know when you get a gift and you are mildly disappointed, and sock it away until you finally use it and its bloody fantastic? That is my experience with this old girl from Barossa. We each got one for xmas and boy o boy, she was a favourite mistake. This wine has a beautiful purplish orange color to it and by now, the tannins are perfectly relaxed and the bottles are glazed with sediment. Not so hot on it out of the bottle but with a little air via decanting, it presents pomegranates and raspberries with toasted coffee beans with a hint of cocoa. On the palate, an excellent presentation of berries, toasted oak with a port like sweetness that draws you to continue sipping. If you can find it, buy it and drink it right away as it will be a sure hit with purple lip and teeth crowd. Outstanding on its own.92 points
This wine is part of abryksa's:
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Combining 56% Shiraz and 44% Cabernet at 14.5% alcohol, the Killibinbin blend offers a vibrant plum color with raspberries and earth tones on the nose. It offers upfront fruit, with a long and dry finish. Recommending to let this one breathe to relax the tannins, would pair very well with beef or lamb or a pasta dish with a cream based sauce. Would also do well to bottle age (1-2 years) to let the tannins mellow out.
This wine is part of abryksa's:
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December 2008Compare and Buy
$24.00
The color of this wine is rich deep dark purple and is opaque and is most certainly a tooth stainer. The nose gives off hints of chocolate and fresh berries, tea and is herbal and medicinal. On the palate, the front is pure fruit with a port like richness with sinewy tannins over a long smooth finish. Even with its high alcohol levels, there is no heat at all and it is balanced and fresh and very delicious. Do yourself a favor and the next visit to your local market, splurge and seek this one out. It is a cellar candidate for another 15+ years but is accessible and enjoyable today.93 Points
This wine is part of abryksa's:
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Compare and Buy
$12.99
The color is an opulent, almost black purple and this wine is so dense and thick, it cannot be seen through even when placed against a light. The nose is gorgeous with aspects of spiced vegetable juice (V8) and minerality like Flintstones vitamins (I loved those as a kid) and licorice and the taste is jammy and herbal with no maskings of oak and has lots of rich, full tannins pushing it through a great finish. It can be enjoyed now or laid down for some time in the cellar, due to those strong tannins. As far as food goes, I wouldn't even bother, it is that good on its own.
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Compare and Buy
$319.00
I tried this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot at the very end of the tasting and although my senses were starting to tire, this wine just floored me with its almost black color and rich, almost port or cognac like notes on the nose. On the palate, it was a monster in such a outstanding way with massive amount of rich fruit and a gripping feel that just coated every part of my mouth with that beautiful fruit along with notes of charred wood and licorice and huge tannins that give it enough backbone to age for 30+ years. Although some experts feel that the anticipated maturity for this wine is 2017, it was approachable and delicious today and I can only imagine what the next few years will hold for those patient enough to hang on to it.97 points
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