Sterling Wine Auctions Australia

1997 Classic Mclaren Shiraz la Testa 98pts Lot 339
Readers looking for a clone of the famed Clarendon Hills luxury cuvee of 100% Shiraz called Astralis can find it in the 1997 Shiraz La Testa. This is a profound, prodigiously rich wine with a saturated black/purple color and knock-out aromas of burning charcoal fire, jammy blackberries, cassis, and melted asphalt. Extremely full-bodied, with a viscous texture and high alcohol, this enormously endowed wine will improve for 10-15 years, and last for three decades. An impressive new producer that will thrill wine enthusiasts! According to the importer, Dan "Makin' Bacon" Philips*, owner/winemaker Tony De Lisio is one of his "greatest discoveries," and "an amazing winemaking talent." Based on this wine, can there be any disagreement?
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com August 2007 $US80
Robert Parkers Wine Advocate #127 February 2000

1998 D'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 96pts Lot 426-440
The 1998 The Dead Arm Shiraz (from a vineyard planted prior to 1890) is outrageously rich, spectacular stuff, the likes of which only Australia seems capable of making. Whiners may complain that it is too big, too rich, too flavorful, and too damn good, but this opaque purple-colored offering is loaded with blackberry liqueur, smoke, charcoal, pepper, cassis, and licorice. Unctuously-textured and full-bodied, but neither heavy nor overbearing, the wine's sweet tannin and low acidity are hidden in the cascade of fruit and glycerin that melt on the palate. This riveting, compelling effort can be drunk now, but promises to age well for two decades or more.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com August 2007 $U59-87
Robert Parkers Wine Advocate #135 June 2001

1999 D'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 96pts Lot 441-446
This estate's most renowned offering is their old vine Shiraz (90+ year old vines) called The Dead Arm. The unfined/unfiltered 1999 The Dead Arm Shiraz (2,000 cases) was aged in 100% new oak, of which 70% was American and 30% French. It is about as natural and unmanipulated a product of the vineyard as one can find. Full-bodied and awesomely rich, notes of black pepper, licorice, and blackberry as well as cherry liqueur cascade over the palate with enormous concentration and intensity, high tannin, and a structured, muscular style. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring, and consume it over the following 2-3 decades. It is a timeless museum piece made in a style that can only be produced in Barossa or McLaren Vale.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US75
Wine Advocate #143 October 2002

2001 D'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 98pts Lot 451-454
Readers should be on the look out for the 2001 The Dead Arm Shiraz, one of the greatest examples of this cuvee. Its dense black/purple color is accompanied by celestial aromas of melted licorice, graphite, blackberries, cassis, incense, anise, and toasty oak. Fabulously concentrated, with great purity, an unctuous, viscous texture, and an amazingly long, 60-second plus finish, this fabulous baby will need 5-6 years of cellaring, and should drink well over the following 20-25 years. Chester Osborn, the remarkable person behind this enormous array of both impeccably high quality and value-priced wines, deserves considerable accolades for what he is able to achieve at all price ranges. If you love Australian wines, d’Arenberg is a winery to seek out as these offerings all possess abundant soul as well as character. In short, the accolades that proprietor/winemaker Chester Osborn receives not only from The Wine Advocate, but virtually everybody in the wine world, are all well deserved.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com August 2007 $US75-101
Wine Advocate #148 August 2003

NV Dutschke The Tawny 22 Year Old 98pts Lot 478
The concentrated non-vintage The Tawny 22 Year Old was aged 22 years in small oak and larger hogshead barrels. It offers a medium amber color along with explosive aromas and flavors of scorched earth, honey, molasses, toffee, caramel, and orange marmalade. It is a brilliant fortified.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US45
Wine Advocate #148 August 2003

1997 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve 96pts Lot 521-524
The 1997 Shiraz Reserve conceals its nearly 15% alcohol behind a cascade of incredibly rich, concentrated fruit. This wine sees only new American oak. It boasts an opaque black/purple color in addition to knock-out aromas of melted asphalt, blackberries, truffles, and licorice. Cherry jam notes also emerge in the flavors. Unctuously-textured, incredibly ripe, pure, and full-bodied, this wine would make even Australia's Grange look wimpish if tasted side by side. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2025. Celestial black currants intermixed with coffee, licorice, Asian spices, and pain grille notes are more reminiscent of a blockbuster vintage of Mouton-Rothschild than what I would expect from a Shiraz/Cabernets blend
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US75-125
Wine Advocate #122 April 1999

2002 Glaymond Landrace 96pts Lot 532-533
My favorite of this portfolio is the 2002 Landrace, a brilliant blend of 70% Shiraz (from 40-year-old vines) and 30% Mourvedre, the latter varietal providing structure and uplift to the ripe Shiraz. This full-throttle, complex red offers aromas and scents of mushrooms, underbrush, blackberry liqueur, and sweet new saddle leather in a provocative, full-bodied, layered style. This immensely impressive 2002 can be drunk now, or cellared for 7-10 years.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com November 2007 $50
Wine Advocate #155 October 2004

2001 Greenock Creek Shiraz Alice's 98pts Lot 576-578
From the estate’s youngest vineyard (seven years), the 2001 Shiraz Alice’s (600 cases) spends 26-28 months in old American oak barrels and small foudres (hogsheads), and is bottled unfiltered. It is a riveting example of richness, concentration, and body. It should drink well young, but evolve nicely for 12-15 years.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $90-125
Wine Advocate #155 October 2004

2002 Greenock Creek Shiraz Alice's 96pts Lot 579-590
Flamboyant as well as focused, with laser-like precision, the 2002 Shiraz Alice’s was produced from 7-year-old vines. Dense, with remarkable intensity and wonderful freshness, it is a cool climate Barossa Shiraz with good acidity, enormous concentration, and a backward style that promises to be ethereal with 4-5 more years of bottle age. It should last for two decades or more. If I had to select the number one Australian winery, it would be hard not to choose the Greenock Creek Winery, run by the humble, shy Michael and Annabelle Waugh. The quality that emerges from this estate is extraordinary. In short, these are thrilling, world-class wines that are about as compelling as wine can be
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $80-100
Wine Advocate #161 October 2005

2004 Greenock Creek Shiraz Alice's 98pts Lot 591
The 2004 Shiraz “Alice’s Block” received the same 28 months in used American oak. The riveting nose of smoke, asphalt, earth, truffle, blackberry, and blueberry roars from the glass. Dense, packed, and opulent, it somehow is able to concurrently exhibit finesse and elegance. Amazingly pure and long in the finish, one’s first reaction is that it cannot get any better. Remarkably, it does. Greenock Creek Vineyard and Cellars, owned by Michael and Annabelle Waugh, is one of the Barossa’s benchmark wineries. Start with a great terroir, add in old vine material, and meticulous winemaking and the results are usually extraordinary.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com November 2007 $US60-90
Wine Advocate #173 October 2007

2000 Greenock Creek Shiraz Apricot Block 96pts Lot 592-593
The 2000 Shiraz Apricot Block, 360 cases produced from microscopic yields of .9 tons of fruit per acre (8-year old vines), tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol, and was aged in both new and old large American barrels (called hogsheads) prior to being bottled unfiltered. A candidate for “wine of the vintage” in the Barossa, it possesses an opaque ruby/purple color as well as tremendous fruit intensity, enormous body, great purity, and a skyscraper-like mid-palate and texture. This dense, chewy Barossa classic has a finish that lasts over 60 seconds. Although still somewhat primary, it reveals tremendous potential, even from this challenging vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US55
Wine Advocate #148 August 2003

2002 Greenock Creek Shiraz Apricot Block 96pts Lot 601
The prodigious 2002 Shiraz Apricot Block (only 10-year-old vines) was produced from fruit cropped at 1.5 tons per acre. Its big, peppery, floral, blueberry, blackberry, pen ink, and vanillin-scented bouquet is followed by a wine with a nervous energy that is totally in keeping with the cool 2002 vintage. Dense, with great purity of fruit, a fabulously multi-layered, full-bodied palate, and an inky finish with enormous concentration, sweet tannin, and superb overall balance, this young, unevolved Shiraz should begin to strut its stuff in 3-4 years, and last for two decades. If I had to select the number one Australian winery, it would be hard not to choose the Greenock Creek Winery, run by the humble, shy Michael and Annabelle Waugh. The quality that emerges from this estate is extraordinary. In short, these are thrilling, world-class wines that are about as compelling as wine can be.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US80-115
Wine Advocate #161 October 2005

2001 Henry's Drive Shiraz Reserve 96pts Lot 615-623
Some might feel the 2001 Shiraz Reserve is too much of a good thing, but it is neither port-like, pruny, nor flat. It is simply crammed with concentrated blackberry and cassis fruit in an obvious but spectacularly textured style. It possesses considerable nuances. Loaded and thick, with low acidity and huge amounts of tannin, all concealed by lavish quantities of fruit and extract, this stunning wine can be drunk now, but should age effortlessly for 7-10 years, possibly longer. No one really knows for sure given the fact that these are young vines and moderately high tonnage.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com August 2007 $US60-63
Wine Advocate #148 August 2003

2002 Henry's Drive Shiraz Reserve 97pts Lot 624-630
The 2002 Shiraz Reserve tastes like a dry vintage port. It may be too much for those with a European palate (but then, I’m a Francophile with a European-styled palate and I loved it). It is flamboyant, extraordinarily rich, full-bodied, and intense, with gobs of blackberry and currant fruit backed up by extravagant levels of glycerin. The oak is largely concealed by the magnificent wealth of fruit. This is classic Australian Shiraz at its finest and is not duplicated anywhere else in the world, so enjoy it for what it is. It should drink well for a decade. To quote importer Dan Philips, “this winery is all about pure, exuberant fruit buttressed with extraordinary winemaking.”
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com August 2007 $US75
Wine Advocate #155 October 2004

2001 Jim Barry Shiraz The Armagh 96pts Lot 700
Although the 2001 Shiraz The Armagh will not be released for another year, readers should keep an eye out for it as it is a profound Shiraz. It boasts an opaque purple color in addition to a tremendously rich bouquet of melted licorice intermixed with scents of camphor, blackberry liqueur, and new saddle leather. Massive and full-bodied, yet impeccably well-balanced, this enormous 2001 should provide riveting drinking for 15+ years.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com September 2007 $US110-170
Wine Advocate #155 October 2004

2003 Kalleske Shiraz Greenock 96-100pts Lot 704-705
A barrel sample of the 2003 Shiraz Greenock appears to be a virtually perfect wine. If it makes it into the bottle with minimal clarification, it will be one of the leading candidates for Barossa’s “Shiraz of the Vintage” in 2003.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US119
Wine Advocate #155 October 2004

2004 Kay Brothers Shiraz Block 6 98pts Lot 709
There are 1,400 cases of the flagship cuvee, the Block 6 Shiraz, which is aged 28 months in 60% new American oak and 40% new Hungarian oak. Typically, it possesses between 15-16% alcohol and is always a candidate for twenty or more years of cellaring. The 2004 Shiraz Block 6 is the finest example of this cuvee since the 1998. It is an awesomely concentrated Shiraz with an inky/plum/garnet/purple color and a sweet nose of roasted meats, dried herbs, ground pepper, blackberries, and cassis. This intense, full-bodied effort boasts a profound depth and richness as well as layer upon layer of awesome concentration and length. While approachable, it should hit its peak in 5-6 years, and last for two decades or more.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US90-105
Wine Advocate #167 October 2006

2004 Kilikanoon Shiraz Oracle 97pts Lot 713
The dense purple-colored 2004 Shiraz Oracle ratchets up the fruit and glycerin levels, yet remains pure, elegant, and well-balanced. It offers beautiful aromas of blueberries, blackberries, acacia flowers, and spicy oak. Full-bodied, powerful, cleanly textured, long, and heady, I would not be surprised to see it evolve for 15-20 years.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com November 2007 $US54-120
Wine Advocate #167 October 2006

2004 Kilikanoon Shiraz Parable 96pts Lot 714-715
While it’s splitting hairs, I thought the 2004 Shiraz Parable was slightly better than the Testament. Made from two vineyards, 35- and 45-years-old, it was given an upbringing similar to that of the Testament cuvee, but seems to possess slightly more aromatic nuances, and just as much body, concentration, and intensity. It also may reveal more floral, blue, and black fruits in the mouth. This stunningly profound Shiraz should age effortlessly for 15-20 years.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com May 2008 $US50-80 (45)
Wine Advocate #167 October 2006

2004 Mitolo Shiraz G A M 97pts Lot 855
Aged 18 months in primarily French oak, the 2004 Shiraz G.A.M. is an exceptional example of a precise yet full-flavored, concentrated Shiraz. Its gorgeous perfume of blueberries, blackberries, camphor, licorice, and pain grille is followed by an inky/blue/purple-colored wine offering superb purity, full-bodied richness, and gorgeous depth as well as texture. This fabulous effort is another example of Ben Glaetzer’s brilliant talents. It should drink well for 15 years. For a winery only established in 1999, and dedicated to hand-crafted, artisinal wines, Mitolo has consistently been a revelation in my tastings. Thanks to owner Frank Mitolo and his brilliant winemaker, Ben Glaetzer, the quality has been truly splendid.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US50-89
Wine Advocate #161 October 2005

2002 Noon Eclipse Proprietary Red Mclaren Vale/Langhorn Ck 97pts Lot 893-897
The 2002 Eclipse (70% Grenache and 30% Shiraz) is a brilliant exercise in vineyard sourcing and management. It was produced from 60- to 70-year-old vines, spent 18 months in a combination of small oak casks as well as foudres, and enjoyed a meticulous upbringing. The result is a prodigious dense ruby/purple-colored red boasting a glorious perfume of black fruits, licorice, vanilla, graphite, and Asian spices as well as a touch of incense. Full-bodied, gorgeously pure, elegant, and seamless, it’s hard to know how this beauty will age, but I suspect it should be consumed during its first 10-12 years of life.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $60-68
Wine Advocate #155 October 2004

2002 Noon Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 96pts Lot 900-905
The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (400 cases) is a 100% Cabernet from 30-year-old vines that spent 18 months in both small and large oak barrels. It exhibits a striking bouquet of graphite, creme de cassis, new saddle leather, Chinese black tea, and vanilla. The complex aromatics are followed by a full-bodied wine of compelling purity and nobleness with layers of concentration as well as intensity. One of the most prodigious Australian Cabernet Sauvignons ever made, it should hit its prime in 3-5 years, and last for two decades or more.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com August 2007 $US104(55)
Wine Advocate #155 October 2004

2004 Noon Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 96pts Lot 906-911
One of the greatest Cabernet Sauvignons made in Australia comes from Noon, and their 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (100% Cabernet from 34-year-old vines) was aged in a combination of French and American hogsheads and barriques for 18 months prior to bottling. This remarkable Cabernet tastes like a Pauillac on steroids. Aromas and flavors of cedar, wood smoke, creme de cassis, licorice, incense, and graphite are accompanied by an exceptionally full-bodied, precise, fresh, and long wine with a finish that lasts nearly a minute. A truly profound Cabernet Sauvignon, it admirably demonstrates what this varietal can achieve in the hands of a conscientious winemaker. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020+. This estate’s brilliant owners/winemakers, Drew and Rae Noon, are meticulous about everything, including what happens at the vineyards where they contract for fruit. The results are some of the most precise, full-bodied yet remarkably vibrant wines produced in Australia
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US225
Wine Advocate #167 October 2006

2005 Noon Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 97pts Lot 912
The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is sourced from a vineyard planted in 1972. It was aged in small French and American oak for 18 months. Opaque purple in color, it offers up classic Cabernet Sauvignon aromas of smoky oak, pencil lead, scorched earth, black currants, and blackberry liqueur. This leads to a sumptuous, savory, opulent, full-bodied wine which amazingly combines great power with elegance. Although there is plenty of structure and aging potential, the wine is seamless, sexy, and very enticing. Those able to delay gratification can safely cellar this great Cabernet for 10-20 years but it is hard to resist now. Noon Winery is owned and operated by Drew and Rae Noon. It continues to be one of Australia’s benchmarks.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com November 2007 $US130
Wine Advocate #173 October 2007

2004 Noon Shiraz Reserve 98pts Lot 918-923
The 2004 Shiraz Reserve, aged in large American oak hogsheads and foudres for 18 months, boasts great intensity, superb richness, and a glorious perfume of camphor, acacia flowers, blueberries, and blackberry liqueur. Unctuously textured, rich, and dense, this brilliant Shiraz should age effortlessly for 12-15 years. This estate’s brilliant owners/winemakers, Drew and Rae Noon, are meticulous about everything, including what happens at the vineyards where they contract for fruit. The results are some of the most precise, full-bodied yet remarkably vibrant wines produced in Australia.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US?
Wine Advocate #167 October 2006

2001 Penfolds Grange 98pts Lot 1105
It is always a treat to taste Australia’s most famous wine, Penfolds’ Grange cuvee (the word Hermitage has been dropped because of legal issues). The 2001 Grange is one of the few vintages of this cuvee to be composed of 100% Shiraz (the others being 1951, 1952, 1963, 1999, and 2000). Aged 17 months in 100% American oak, and tipping the scales at 14.5% alcohol, the 2001 is undeniably one of the top examples of this wine. At this stage, it appears to eclipse the 1998 and 1996. Inky/blue/purple to the rim, with a stunning perfume of blueberries, blackberries, chocolate, graphite, and earth, it boasts good acidity, huge tannins, magnificent concentration, and a multilayered, textured mouthfeel. It is a big, but impeccably well-balanced Shiraz that should shed some of its structure and tannin over the next 4-5 years, and be at its best between 2010-2030+.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US215-375
Wine Advocate #167 October 2006

1971 Penfolds Grange 96pts Lot 1108-1109
I have been fortunate enough to have this wine on five occasions, rating it consistently between 96 and 100. Hence, as part of this tasting, it was one of the vintages I could not wait to smell, taste, and drink. Each bottle opened proved to be disappointing, giving additional credibility to the axiom, "There are no great wines, just great bottles." A blend of 87% Shiraz and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, this was always considered one of the great vintages of Grange. "If you had to point to a wine which fulfilled all the ambitions of Grange, it would have to be 1971," said Max Schubert when tasting it in 1993. It is a legendary wine, but for whatever reason, the two bottles opened at the tasting were dominated by tannin, had baked-out, cooked flavors, and no succulence or sweetness...in short, shadows of what this wine had been in all previous tastings. Obviously, storage of the older vintages of Grange is impeccable, so that clearly is not an issue, but I would love to have another crack at this vintage in the future, as it is hard to believe that in the two years that have passed since I last tasted the 1971, it has fallen apart.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com August 2007 $US1099-1118
Wine Advocate #E2002 Feb 2002

2002 Shirvington Cabernet Sauvignon 96pts Lot 1268-1274
There are about 500 cases of the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was aged in both American and French wood (one-half new). The Screaming Eagle of South Australia, it possesses great purity, layers of fruit, enormous volume and intensity, and at the same time, it is strikingly elegant and well-proportioned. This stunningly pure Cabernet tastes like pure creme de cassis intermixed with licorice and oak. It should drink well for 15-16 years, but who will be able to hold onto it that long?
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com August 2007 $US129 (55)
Wine Advocate #148 August 2003

1999 Chris Ringland (formerly Three Rivers) Shiraz 98pts Lot 1345-1346
The Chris Ringland (formerly known as Three Rivers Shiraz), is aged 42 months in 100% new French oak, and is rarely racked until bottling, represents an extraordinary expression of Barossa Shiraz. The intense 1999, released in 2004, demonstrates that this vintage is somewhat underrated after all the hype over 1998. From a vineyard planted in 1910, its inky/purple color is accompanied by aromas of lavender, lard, smoke, licorice, blackberries, cassis, espresso roast, chocolate, and pepper. Full-bodied, slightly less voluminous than the perfect 1998, with an unctuous texture, sweet tannin, and a 70+ second finish, this magnificent, still young Shiraz should be accessible in 3-5 years, and last for two decades.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com June 2007 $US550-975
Wine Advocate #155 October 2004

2001 Torbreck Descendant 98pts Lot 1355
Aged in used French oak casks for 18 months prior to being bottled unfiltered, the 2001 Descendant is a 1,000 case blend of 92% Shiraz and 8% Viognier cropped at approximately 1.5 tons of fruit per acre. This spectacular Australian red offers an aromatic smorgasbord of honeysuckle intermixed with blackberry and creme de cassis liqueurs, licorice, coffee, and spice. There is fabulous fruit purity, tremendous intensity, and great balance with flavor, power, and elegance all combined into a riveting example of Barossa Valley wine. It should drink well for 10-12 years.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com October 2007 $U104-155
Wine Advocate #148 October 2003

1998 Le Macchiole Messorio 96pts Lot 1652-1653
There are only microscopic quantities available of this wine, so I will keep my tasting notes somewhat streamlined, even though it merits a near perfect score. The 1998 Messorio (100% Merlot) rivals some of the finest Merlots being produced anywhere in the world. Mind-blowing in its richness and intensity, it can compete with the finest wines being made on the Pomerol plateau. Representing the essence of Merlot in its concentrated jammy blackberry and cherry notes, it is a well-defined, beautifully poised effort revealing both power and elegance. Full-bodied, dense, and super-concentrated, with an incredibly long 50-second finish, it is a tour de force in winemaking that must be tasted to be believed. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2016. This is a prodigious wine. It is a shame quantities are so limited.
Current Release Cost www.erobertparker.com August 2007 $US359-370
Wine Advocate #137 October 2001

July 2008