Wine Enthusiast – ‘Deep colour. Ethereal cassis, light marzipan, vanilla with hints of violet. Fresh blackcurrant pastille, marzipan, cedar flavour and fine bittersweet/ grainy tannins. Finishes claret firm, with pure dark berry fruits and superb mineral length. Elegantly proportioned, pristine and sinuous with excellent cellaring potential. A genuine Australian First Growth highlighting the genius of vineyard site, meticulous harvesting (five separate picking times), empathetic and imaginative winemaking. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, 3% malbec, 14 months maturation in new (55%) and seasoned French oak. A classic vintage; up there with the best. Keep for a while to allow some bottle age development as you will be greatly rewarded. 13.5% alc.’ 99 points. - Andrew Caillard, The Vintage Journal.

Huon Hooke – ‘Deep, bright red-purple colour with a reserved, shy bouquet that leads into a similarly latent palate where masses of fine tannins lie stealthily in wait. Subtle violet and blackberry traces. There is tremendous depth and muscle to this wine but it is still a little in its shell and needs more time to open. Masses of tannin bode well for its future in the cellar. Decanting may work if broaching it young. (89% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc, 3% malbec. Aged in 55% new oak for 14 months).’ 98 points. Huon Hooke, The Real Review

World Wine – 96 Points + Gold (Decanter World Wine Awards 2023)

James Halliday – Deep colour; a distinguished, full-bodied Bordeaux blend with blackcurrant, mulberry, black olive, briar and French oak all in play. Has the length and balance to repay extended cellaring." Halliday Wine Companion '17

James Halliday – "... I love the transparency of the Barossa’s cooler seasons, in such articulate detail here that all 4 varieties are clearly visible in all their glory. Unashamedly medium bodied, refreshing and enticing, yet in no way underpowered, simplistic or short lived. Crunchy berry fruits, fine-ground tannins and vibrant acidity unite to marvellous effect and outstanding line and length. It takes some skill, dexterity and humility in the winery to allow fruit of such elegance to really sing. A classic Barossa blend with a long future before it.” 13 AUGUST 2021 - Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion

Huon Hooke – This blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot has a track record of consistency, and ages beautifully. It’s labelled Barossa, a zone that embraces Eden Valley as well as Barossa Valley proper. It certainly tastes like a Henschke Eden Valley red, with tell-tale raspberry and sage among various dried-herb and spice aromas, floral and earthy nuances too. It’s deliciously fruit-sweet, almost lush in the mouth, the masses of fine, subtly drying tannins keeping the finish and aftertaste neat and disciplined. A lovely wine, approachable already but certainly built to last and will be reward even a few years in the cellar. (Screwcap)

James Halliday –

World Wine – “A blend of 68% Cabernet Franc and 32% Shiraz with the wines aged in small format oak for 8 months (11% new) and then a further 11 months in an old oak foudre and then aged in bottle for 6 months prior to release. The nose shows the dominance of Cabernet Franc with savoury edged raspberry and understated dried herbs and a touch of black pepper; plum fruit is in the background. The balance of the wine is excellent, it treads the line between savoury, earthen influence and concentrated, mouthfilling red and black fruits. Tannins are fine and graphite like, etched with dark cocoa they provide the bridge between the dried herb and dark cherry influence of cabernet franc and the black pastille and plum from cooler climate shiraz.” 94 points Patrick Eckel, winereviewer.com 6 February 2022

World Wine – “A blend of 68% Cabernet Franc and 32% Shiraz with the wines aged in small format oak for 8 months (11% new) and then a further 11 months in an old oak foudre and then aged in bottle for 6 months prior to release. The nose shows the dominance of Cabernet Franc with savoury edged raspberry and understated dried herbs and a touch of black pepper; plum fruit is in the background. The balance of the wine is excellent, it treads the line between savoury, earthen influence and concentrated, mouthfilling red and black fruits. Tannins are fine and graphite like, etched with dark cocoa they provide the bridge between the dried herb and dark cherry influence of cabernet franc and the black pastille and plum from cooler climate shiraz.” 94 points Patrick Eckel, winereviewer.com 6 February 2022

The Wine Front – From 1988 plantings on Isolation Ridge, raised in 1500L foudre and 500l puncheons. Wonderful rosy perfume, dried cranberry, redcurrant, chocolate and spice, a slight gum leafiness. Medium-bodied, gravelly tannin, some dried herb and subtle earthiness, fine brick dust tannin, freshness in with the sweet red fruits, and a long firm finish, black olive in the aftertaste. A wonderful expression of Franc. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

James Suckling – This a gorgeous, mid-weighted wine of a contagious energy, lifted floral scents and such immaculate poise, that three glasses solo can easily turn into an entire bottle. Prosaic, in the very best, gulpable way. Think violets, crushed blackcurrants, spearmint and anise, with a touch of sassafras and black olives. The tannins, a thrumming matrix of just-enough-grip and brightness. This is ready to go. Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com

The Wine Front – Crushed blue and purple fruit, plenty of spice, almost an incense perfume, also quite meaty. It’s meaty and sappy, juicy blue and red fruit, a tickle of Co2 spritz here too, kind of glassy ‘mineral’ acidity and feel, light graphite tannin, and a sappy/meaty/juicy finish of solid length. It’s quite the little thing. Frisky! - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

James Halliday – "A blend of grenache/gamay/cabernet franc. Fermented with 100% whole bunches and matured in older French puncheons. A light bright crimson. Lively with red fruits, pomegranate and dried herbs. Light- to medium-bodied with silky smooth tannins, there's also a juicy succulence to the mid-palate, making it ideal for chilling slightly. Very nicely put together and well priced to boot." - Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)