Striking a fine balance between brambly, if slightly confectionary flavours of raspberries, cherries and dark plums and a smoky, meaty and funky complexity, this firm, bony and savoury blend steadily reveals more earthy, spicy and rustic undertones. It’s dusted with a scent of dried herbs, musk and iris, and while its smooth and supple palate might be drying and grippy, it still delivers plenty of vibrant black and red berry fruit. (Yarra Valley, $25 retail approx., 18.6/95, drink 2011-2014+) Jeremy Oliver
I like the new labels. I like the new vintage and I love what De Bortoli are doing with shiraz. This seems to be a further refinement and improvement in style. The acidity is finer and less obvious than the previous vintage and it falls more towards a medium bodied style…or maybe that is just the nature of the vintage.
Aromas of cherry, red fruits, cracked pepper, spices, aniseed and vanilla cream. It is all going on here and I am happy to say the viognier presents only as a subtle perfumed lift. On the palate medium bodied with red berries, cherry, spice and meaty peppery flavours. It has crisp acidity and light dry chalky tannins and plenty of textural interest. Finishes dry and spicy with great length of flavour. Charismatic, engaging and it drinks like a champion. Drink : 2008 - 2020 95 Gary Walsh, Winorama
To be frank I can hardly see any viognier in it. It's meaty, peppery, silken-textured and lovely, its quality and sophistication bleedingly obvious. Cherry-plum, minerals, sap, cedar, all riding on a plush carpet. Lingering, coiled, juicy finish. Very fine. Drink: 2012-2017. 94 points. Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront
