Wantirna, Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Yarra Valley

2026-04 Vinorules Bordeaux varieties by Ray at Scopri (Scopri) : Tasted blind. Leafy nose. Herbal. Energetic palate. Violets and floral nose. Some eucalyptus. Very balanced and fresh. Lovely wine. 94

colour deep ruby , some bricking as expected but good for 25yo 15/15 Nose good intensity , mature very bordeaux, cedar, cigar box , tobaccochocolate dark cherry , hint of new leather, amazing clean aromas from 25yo wine 28/30 Palate excellent flavours from the nose , rich chocolate liquorice silky mouthfeel , tannins resolved , dried fruits 41/44 overall , I wasn't expecting this super aged Yarra Valley Cabernet blend 9/11

Classic Wantirna , beautiful fruit, rustic but soft tannins , fantasy wine

gunsmoke big ripe brambly fruit, blackcurrant, violets, meaty, 90

{cork, 13.3%} Mid garnet red, right for age, with a gorgeous nose of classic aged cabernet; currants and a little herb, with a cedar note. Tannins are a little softer and looser perhaps than a comparable top Bdx, but this has such beautifully polished fruit; ripe but not too jammy or sweet, and singing gloriously for 17 years. Just magnificent. Only medium weight, but with a long lingering finish and great balance. Fabulous wine, should hold too if you must.

NobleRottersSydney - Melbourne Dress Circle (Alio's, Surry Hills) : [cork, 13.3%] {Graeme} As immaculate a 12-year-old cork as I’ve ever seen reveals a ruby coloured wine with very little age apparent. The nose is the perfect Bordeaux substitute; cassis and cigars, some classy french oak, and a touch of dark tar. The palate is staggeringly good; dry, with powdery tannins, rich developing cassis fruit which reveals more dimensions of flavour the harder you focus, and such great balance of the …

Deep ruby red. Sour cherry, deep plums, mulberry, leafy edge. Smooth and silky, hint of sherbet, sweet berries, chocolate and licorice spice, lovely powerful fruit, fine tannins to close.

Kedington Australian night (Fringe Club, Hong Kong) : Good nose, some fruit, palate's a little bitter, green peper finish.

The first red at JB's blind tasting in the early Summer. Salty and leathery, but extremely elegant with minimum tannins, not big and brash like many Oz reds.

Kedington Australian night (Fringe Club, Hong Kong) : Some cedar, hint of green pepper. Soft mulberry, cassis. Finish a little short.