Noon, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Clare Valley

High-toned, bright and lively red fruits. Tingly and fun to sip on.

1999 vintage

If you still have any of this, now is the time to drink it. Explosive nose of fig, cola, tobacco, eucalyptus and cured meat. I mean, the nose is just incredible. You will sniff this a LOT before you drink it and you’ll be sniffing the glass like an idiot when it’s gone. People will stare at you. Sorry not sorry. Brick red with brown edges. In the mouth, it’s an oil slick. Tannins are fully integrated. It fully costs …

2007 vintage

Predominantly malty notes with a touch of caramel and adding tobacco over time. Fruit of dark and blue berries. A more spicy, glazed palate with only minor residuals of fruit – but overall fresher palate than the nose. That said, notable heat – unsurprising with 17% alc. This was ok, I guess, but should be seen more as Port alternative than a dry red.

2005 vintage

Mixed New World Tasting. All wines tasted blind. No detailed notes. The complexity would be there, but there, very intriguing nutty and caramel notes are the highlight, but there are also strong oxidation notes, especially on the nose. The 2000s reds from Australia didn’t age well.

2005 vintage

Perfect cork due excellent cellaring since bought from Winery mail list 18 yrs ago. Great example of good wine cellared well. A lovely nose of cedar and dark red fruits and white pepper. Colour is still dark burgundy red with age only seen around the rim of the glass. On the palate the tannins have softened nicely but still coat the tongue, there is mocha flavours, chocolate notes and sweet dark fruits still show through. Theres some crust which needs …

2004 vintage

At 22 y.o., this still retains its mega fruit-bomb profile of grape Skittles, licorice & scorched earth w/added complexity from bottle age, carrying its massive 16.1 alc. quite well, although it would never be mistaken for elegant or subtle. This bottle was in better shape than I expected; results may vary.

2002 vintage

Bought this for half price just on the chance it would still be good. And it was, partially. This thing is 16.1% ABV and it shows, but, at 22, it is also well into its secondary or even tertiary flavor profile, which adds interest. Lots of old books and leather, some dark cherries, with good acidity but no tannins at this point. Needs a good decanting, because it was full of grit. Wish I had this bottle maybe 6-8 years …

2002 vintage

Very nice wine, high quality and great value at present prices. Very pungent upon opening, but found its balance on the 2nd day. Very complex and enjoyable Australian cab.

2005 vintage

Better than prior bottles despite a raisinated nose which proved a bit distracting. Notes of menthol, cassis, leather and smoke, with a medium-plus finish. Clocks in at 17% (per the label) but the heat finally seems in check.

2005 vintage

Surprisingly youthful, excellent nose of Cassis, ripe fruit, subtle vanilla. Extracted fruit, rich, well integrated, ripe blueberry, again subtle vanilla. Short but pleasant finish. Very happy with this bottle, poured through an aerator, no decanting, continued to improve over time.

2005 vintage

Our prior bottle in 2018 was wonderful, but this one was getting pruney and finished hot. Could be bottle variation, but I'd say drink 'em if you got 'em.

2002 vintage

I know this is heavy and I know it’s ultra rich. But it is also extremely fragrant and the alcohol is surprisingly well integrated. So for me this is a well made wine. The bottle came from a cold cellar purchased upon release, so that might have had a lot to do why some notes are quite different from mine. But I really loved drinking this: Guava, papaya, after-eight, mint, velvety and smooth, good acidity and tannin structure left for …

2007 vintage

Strong anise fragrance , dried strawberries, alcohol, browned butter nose, ripe currants, dark chocolate, dried fig, cedar, solid tannins, long finish well over a minute, a bit of red rope (maybe toasted) after taste.

2005 vintage

Flawed massively :(

2005 vintage

Dark, mostly opaque. Unusual aroma, acetic, sweet, prominent mint. Nice cabernet flavors, at its peak and nicely balanced. Ric

2004 vintage

One Fun-Filled Afternoon Spent Poolside with Friends (Los Olivos, CA) : True to form, a crazily concentrated powerhouse, but as much as I wanted to love it, the heat and polish just aren’t my thing these days. Eucalyptus, mocha, baked raspberries and smoke. Opulent, structured, but veered over the top to my palate. Not sure I could ID as Cab if tasted blind.

2005 vintage

Fantastic nose, red berries but depth of a great carb. Decanted for 5 hours. Full bodied and long finish. Great with food as show the full palete of this excellent wine. Put it against a Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino, that was outperformed by the Noon. Wish I had another bottle.

2005 vintage

Typical of Drew's style. A hint of diesel on the nose. Fine tannin. Near end of the road however. A great wine. I am honored to have been able to get these direct from Drew upon trips to OZ. he sales at in two weekends to winery and emails. An Aussie icon

2004 vintage

Wow, really impressive. Ripe yet balanced with pretty red plums, green pepper, black spices, and mint. Smooth and dense, yet nice structure and dear I say some elegance? No rush to drink up sadly.

2002 vintage

Very typical aged Cabernet from this top maker. Earth and meatiness in an rather uncious drop. Full flavoured and at or just past its peak. Drink now and enjoy McLaren Vale's master maker. 92

2005 vintage

Slow oxed for 8 hours before pouring. Generous nose of dark sweet fruits. This is a rich and powerful wine, but the tannins are very evolved and it’s also surprisingly soft and lush. Delicious and without apparent heat despite the 16.1%. Lots of sediment.

2002 vintage

medium body, slight minty but big herbal on palette. very smooth finish

2005 vintage

OMG - mint bomb, aniseed, interesting though to revisit in 10 years, maybe 15

2007 vintage

Popped and poured to begin with, but this wine was way too hot at that point - alcohol and port... After few hours decanted most of that blew off. Garnet red turning brick. Pronounced nose of eucalyptus, vanilla and cedar oak. Medium to full bodied palate of juicy cassis and anise. Tannin is fine but fading, with a a good acidic line through the backbone to finish. Probably a little overdone but enjoyable with enough air. I haven one left …

2005 vintage

Wowee big clunky thing on the nose. Menthol, minty, hospital, tobacco, leaf bay leaf, heavy out of balance alcohol and then smack you in the face with tannin

2007 vintage

what is this!!!" went round the table. chewing gum and menthol notes dominent "peppermint pattie" levels on mint, DrHesh called this "wine for koalas", too much alcohol, no good

2007 vintage

I paid too much for this one--$95, Good wine but too much money.

2005 vintage

Super nose. Flatterer! Power Cabernet.

2005 vintage

A little better than the last one, but not worth $95.

2005 vintage

Huge monster wine that roamed all over the place as it sat open for hours. We poured into glasses and labeled them over time. The wine at 4 hours was in a good spot. On opening it, the wine was to much for the group to take, and we waited until hour 4 to start consuming it. Double decanted as well. This is a thick, juicy wine. Good for a spicy steak, BBQ ribs with a kick. Maybe blue cheese …

2002 vintage

A good wine but not worth $95.

2005 vintage

Heavy handed wine, but enjoyable. Coffee and dark fruit on the nose, lush and rich mouthfeel when tasted. Verges on port, but has enough lift to keep it interesting.

2005 vintage

too minty and medicinal. Not a lot of pleasure currently....

2007 vintage

WTDS at Capital Grille (Mpls, MN) : Very dark purple red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over an hour. Loads of eucalyptus on the nose with blackberry cobbler, cassis, a little plum, and slome tarry character. The palate is dense and supple, eucalyptus, blackberry cobbler, tar, nice silky tannins, and persistent finish. Nicely balanced, and would be even better if the dominant eucalyptus would subside a fair bit 91+pts..

2004 vintage

Big wine that didn't budge much over 3 days but was probably at its best on day 2. Initially difficult to pick as Cabernet but became much more noticeable with several hours of air. Plush dark black fruit, quite fine tannins and balanced cedary oak. Alcohol was a bit noticeable for me on this one, the vintage feels like it must have been quite hot in Langhorne Creek. A well made wine in its style and feel it could live …

2005 vintage

Way too much alcohol heat - something not right with this one. Totally undrinkable, so tipped down the sink.

2004 vintage

Huge fruit bomb, a bit over the top but still somewhat sophisticated. Very rich, lots of sweet dark fruit. Very good, but perhaps a bit polarizing.

2002 vintage

The Twelveth Annual Stonefields Dinner (Guelph, ON) : Quite concentrated nose of candy cane, candied dark cherries, blackberries. Palate is structured, firm and tannic though the tannins are sweet and reveal a candy cane note. A touch of the 16.1% alcohol shows through but it is remarkably well hidden.

2002 vintage

The Twelfth Annual Stonefields Dinner (Guelph, ON, Canada) : Big nose of mint, eucalyptus, dark fruit and spice. The palate shows candied cherries, black fruits, eucalyptus and mint with a great spicy character. This wine is 16.1% alcohol and I just do not understand where they hide it as the wine has such balance and no overt alcohol. The finish is medium+ in length with good complexity and balance. Nice wine.

2002 vintage

Still a nice wine that is not showing its age at 14 years old but it was not as good as it was a couple years ago. Still lots of fruit as well as some nice tannins but I'm not sure this wine will improve and I probably will drink my last bottle during the next year.

1999 vintage

The 1998 I drank recently was one of the best wines I've ever had so have been keen to try this auction bottle. The nose is big and brooding, maybe a touch hot, but intense smoky characters, certainly some menthol, a little sweet spice, overlaying black fruits. Palate is silky cassis, anise. Fine drying tannin and healthy acid for good length that left my palate tingling. When you check the bottle and see this is 17% it's surprising. Will go …

2005 vintage

Impressive! This vintage of the Noon Cabernet Reserve provides menthol, lilies, apricots(!) and of course rich massive fruit. The nose is perfectly integrated. The palate is massive, yet balanced with rather vivid tannins and shows a lot of promise for the future. If drinking anytime soon be sure to aerate for at least 4-5 hours.

2005 vintage

An abundance of menthol and apricots, extremely integrated and a ton of mint. Actually the nose reminds me of a nicely mixed Mojito. Adding to this is led pencil and black currant after some 30 minutes of air. The palate shows the usual classy massiveness and integration, but tannins are harsher as this effort is still on the young side. There is no doubt this wine will be adorable in a few years.

2007 vintage

Offering a lot of everything the 2004 Noon Cabernet Reserve is still balanced and provides an array of deep mature dark fruit, menthol, luxurious oak, lillies and black currant. The palate is massive but nicely integrated with a lovely acidity. Quite an impressive effort from a master producer!

2004 vintage

Is this a Cabernet, is it a Shiraz? Who can tell. Same notes as last time pretty much. Made it to day 3 this time and was at its best then but just don't know if this will ever taste of Cabernet, or indeed, if it was even meant to. It tastes of a plump, rich, unctuous wine full of Christmas cake, charred meat and ripe plums. Despite it's varietal flaws, the oak is well done and the alcohol is …

2004 vintage

A bit too austere for my palate. Slightly hot. The fruit is more present than in the '99 Esprit and Reserve Shiraz.

1999 vintage

I like the term I've seen here on Cellar tracker, MONOLITHIC. Quite huge. There is no variation in style here. You absolutely get what is expected. Rich massive fruit with inter grated tannin core. Noon delivers again.

2007 vintage

Football and Cabs from around the world @ Howards (Old Greenwich, CT) : Big and rich, but the fruit and fresh and juicy. Lush and delicious. A great match with BBQ ribs.

2002 vintage

Heavy and monolithic. Ripe blackcurrant on the nose. Alcohol approaching 17%.

2007 vintage

This auction bottle offered up wonderful aromas of prunes blackberry plum blackcurrant cigar box fruit cake. The palate was less impressive almost port like. This wine reminded me of a Taylor's Fladgate 2003 I had tried recently.It has an alcohol rating of 17%. The high score is largely based on the great nose.

2005 vintage

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Noon, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Clare Valley

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