The nose displays a red and black cherry lift with lashings of blackberry and hints of blueberry. Overtones of darker mocha and dried nutmeg, cinnamon and clove.
Palate - Bright lush fruit entry with multi layers of fruit and spice. Bright cherry with layers of spice and chocolate. The exquisite tannins are dark, reminiscent of dark chocolate, with density and fruit sweetness. The texture is fine but firm in its direction and finish is long and lush.
FOOD MATCH - Aged rib eye steak, Grilled and gently smoked field mushrooms, cheese board
97 points - Ken Gargett – Wine Pilot 2025 – “One of the Barossa’s most famous wines from what is fast becoming a legendary vintage is worth a parade. Stunning stuff and if anyone wants to splash out for the proverbial special occasion, or to see just how good these wines can be, don’t hesitate. The colour is that of an opaque bruised plum. The oak is still evident, as is to be expected at this early stage, but the integration is excellent and will continue. The nose offers notes of black fruits, coffee beans, chocolate, mocha, graphite, aniseed, kirsch, black cherries and beef stock. There is truly immaculate balance here and the silkiest of tannins. Early complexity is already making itself felt. A wine of focus, force and finesse, there is a long and lingering finish. Wonderful stuff, you can safely cellar this to advantage for two decades, three if you have deserving grandchildren.”
96 points – Dave Brookes – Halliday Wine Companion 2024 “I was really looking forward to seeing this wine, from a vintage as strong as 2021. It's certainly got the XXXXX horsepower and pure cedar-infused, black-fruited grunt that you'd expect from its bloodline. The tannin profile is finer, more compact and less bossy than I expected, the acidity, appley and mineral-laden and there is an impressive length of flavour. Dare I say it is probably a more 'elegant' XXXXXX in the scheme of things, and it is certainly one that will age for a good while.”
95 points – Andrew Caillard MW - SA Wine Guide - Vintage Journal 2025 “Deep crimson. Intense dark berry, praline, mocha, marzipan aromas with panforte notes. Richly flavoured with dense dark berry, praline, espresso flavours, abundant chocolaty tannins and fresh long acidity. A tannin plume and some bittersweet / liquorice notes at the finish.”
95 points – Stuart Knox – The Real Review 2025 “Ink black core to a deep ruby rim. Fragrant with ripe mulberry, plum, bay leaf and violet aromas. Deep and dense blue and black fruits sit on entry, ripe but holding their presence while ferrous minerality and subtle toasty oak spices all build further complexity to the palate. There's certainly power here but it has been controlled well, grape and oak tannins are powerful in their ability to drive and dry the finish. Still a young pup, it will offer many years of rewards with careful cellaring”
95 points – Tony Love – Wine Pilot 2025 “The XXXXX XXXXX brand flagship red, set deeply with impressive Shiraz fruit, dark, powerful though extremely well-behaved from end to end. It’s all captured in classy French oak - the aromatics are cedar laden while still allowing bursts of crimson plum and pomegranate to rise above the sensitively structured foundations, quite fine in the tannin grip, and enough retained acidity to keep the palate’s energy levels sustained. Everything neatly entwined and connected. Lots to love about this XXXXXXX right now, as it’s drinking comfortably on opening, and history suggests it also has a long-life expectancy.”
LANGTONS 'Classified'- The best of Australian winemaking practices, vineyard provenance and regional voice. Classification Of Australian Wine 8th Edition
LANGTONS Classification is the most respected secondary market guide to fine and luxury Australian wines. The Classification comprises the most sought-after Australian fine wines based on their strong track record at auction.
