Very deep colour and great hue; a lovely wine, showing Coonawarra back to its best; pure black fruits and superb oak and tannin management; long finish. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. 95 points. To 2020 - James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2008
Coonawarra Shiraz really lives in the shadow of Cabernet but when it is good it is very very good. Aromas of blackberry, licorice, black pepper, spice and fine cedary oak. Really lively and attractive. On the palate medium to full bodied with fresh blackberry, mulberry, spice, dark chocolate and vanilla cedar oak. Excellent depth of fruit with fine grained ripe tannin and balanced acidity. Not a hair out of place. Finishes long and spicy with a fresh black fruit and spice aftertaste. Sensational shiraz and the price is right. Come on down! 94 Points; Drink : 2007 - 2018; Gary Walsh; Winorama
Talk about bullet proof, there are no holes in the Balnaves shed. In a rare switch of the regularly accepted pecking order, shiraz plays second fiddle to cabernet sauvignon in Coonawarra, but this wine makes a stunning argument for equal rights. In keeping with the region’s overall red wine style, it’s an elegant drink, plenty of peppery shiraz fragrance, baking spices, some dried plums, boysenberry and red fruits too. The oak sits very much in the background, neatly settled in behind the fruit and the palate moves with finesse and style. Not sweet or fleshy, but taut and compact with a well-judged spine of tannin supporting savoury berry fruit. 91 points; Nick Stock; Adelaide Review- Food and Wine
