1999 ««««« Drink now to 2045.

Medium-deep crimson. Blackcurrant, sour cherry and dried rose aromas with polished leather notes. Complex inky blackcurrant pastille flavours, supple fine grainy/al-dente textures, dried herb and rose notes, mocha oak and fresh mineral acidity. The tannins build up quite sinewy/chewy. A firm muscular style with lovely density and fruit complexity.

Rumbling dry tannins with earthy ripeness of fruit. (JH)

Black fruited with more spice, cedar and herbal Chinese medicine notes. A very structured palate with slightly drying tannins. (FW)

2001 ««««« Drink now to 2045.

Deep crimson. Intense blackberry, blackcurrant pastille and praline aromas with herb garden notes. Generous, supple and fruit sweet with blackcurrant pastille and blackberry fruits, fine plentiful ripe velvety tannins and underlying mocha espresso oak. Lovely generosity of fruit and completely integrated tannins.

A dark, fathomless wine with abundant fruit and harmonious tannin structure. Superb. (NB)

Hugely perfumed and fleshy with expressive ripe cherry liqueur fruits, all-spice, tobacco notes, and a round juicy elegant palate. (JR)

2002 ««««« Drink now to 2045.

Deep crimson. Classic blackcurrant, cedar and praline aromas with dried leaf notes. A substantial wine with deep-set pure blackcurrant, dark chocolate and roasted meat demi-glace flavours, fine ripe plentiful tannins and underlying roasted chestnut notes. Lovely plush chocolaty finish. Classic Penfolds style.

Aromatic redcurrant, dark cherry aromas with capsicum, mint notes. Compact on entry and taut in structure but the richness of flavour is in place. (NB)

Cassis, cherry and mocha aromas with exotic spices and incense. Has the structure to age gracefully. (JR)

2003 (Not made)

2004 ««««« Drink now to 2045+.

Medium-deep crimson. Fresh dark cherry, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and cigar box aromas with herb garden liquorice notes. Expressive and plush with ample blackcurrant and dark chocolate flavours, chocolaty ripe tannins, plentiful mocha oak nuances and integrated acidity. Superb generosity, concentration and richness with beautiful ripe chalky plume at the finish. Substantial mid-1880s-planted Block 42 material in the blend.

Polished, fragrant and supple with dark berry, raisins and dark chocolate, plush textures and expansive fine tannins. (NR)

Rich and full-bodied with ripe black fruits and chocolate, mid-palate lusciousness and integrated but strong tannins. A cabernet for non-cabernet lovers. (FW)

2005 «««« Drink now to 2030.

Deep crimson. Roasted coffee, grilled nuts, cassis and mulberry leafy aromas. Supple inky cassis, mulberry and dark chocolate flavours, fine and plentiful grainy tannins and underlying savoury oak. Some chinotto, polished leather and soy notes pervading at the finish. Well-balanced with attractive density and vinosity. Advancing more quickly than the 2002 or 2004.

Clear varietal aromas with herbaceous notes. Elegant and sharply focussed with no roughness to the tannins. (NB)

Excellent colour, sweet cassis fruit; the tannin and oak exactly where it should be. (JH)

2006 ««««« Drink now to 2060.

Deep crimson. Powerfully intense dark cherry, blackcurrant and liquorice aromas with attractive meaty complexity. Ample and beautifully focussed with dark cherry, rich blackcurrant mulberry fruits, fine-firm cedar tannins, attractive mid-palate richness and integrated new mocha oak complexity. A long gravelly finish. Extraordinary density and power. Potential for great longevity.

This is cabernet sauvignon at its most expressive with superb purity, ripe fruit and fine tannin structure. Melts my crusty old heart. (JH)

Seductive and richly flavoured with clear ripe fruits, gentle warmth, superb density and plentiful silky tannins. This is so vast with no vanishing point. (NB)

2007 ««« Drink now to 2040.

Deep crimson. Leafy cassis and soupy aromas with dried herbs, sage and touches of mint. Well-concentrated cassis, mulberry, sage and mint flavours. Loose-knit, al dente/grippy tannins and underlying savoury roasted walnut notes. Builds up brambly dry at the finish. Will survive the passage of time but not the best of vintages.

The tannins push the friendship too far. (JH)

Sappy, penetrating spiciness with cassis, bitter dark chocolate notes and fine-grained tannins. Has energy, vibrancy and minerality. (JR)

2008 «««« Drink now to 2040.

Deep crimson. Attractive ripe blackcurrant pastille and mulberry aromas with dark chocolate notes. Rich and ripe blackcurrant pastille and mulberry fruits, plentiful chocolaty tannins, sweet coconut and mocha oak notes with integrated acidity. Slightly overweight with sweet tannins, sweet oak and sweet fruit, but age will allow these elements to integrate. A little decadent but tightens up with a firm finish.

Beautiful floral, red fruit aromas with hints of game. Subtle on the palate with impeccable oak balance. (JR)

Fresh and abundant bright black fruits and cocoa with ample fine linear tannins. Plenty of power and extraction. (FW)

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