South Australia Part 2: More Post New Sensations
The Wine Advocate
May 30, 2014
by Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The Wine Advocate’s Lisa Perrotti-Brown shares yet more praise for two South Australian icons, Penley and Kilikanoon, with scores reaching into the high 90s!
97+ pts Kilikanoon Attunga 1865 2010
Very deep purple-black in color and redolent of creme de cassis, plum pudding, dark chocolate and dried mulberries with nuances of licorice, espresso and cedar, the full-bodied 2010 Attunga 1865 Shiraz is generously fruited with layers of black fruit plus a myriad of savory and spice flavors that are supported by firm, very finely grained tannins and lively acid. It finishes long with lingering herb and spice accents. Drink it now to 2024+.
96+ pts Kilikanoon Crowhurst Reserve Shiraz 2010
Very deep purple-black in color and replete with aromas of mocha, dried plums and blackcurrant cordial accented by licorice, spice cake and dried mulberry hints, the full-bodied 2010 Crowhurst Reserve Shiraz is a voluptuously fruited wine that showcases a multi-layered palate of black fruits and spice, is supported by firm, grainy tannins and offer just the right amount of acid to hold through a finish with great persistence. Drink it now to 2024+.
95+ pts Kilikanoon Miracle Hill Shiraz 2010
Very deep purple-black in color, the 2010 Miracle Hill Shiraz presents a classic McLaren Vale nose of blackberry preserves, chocolate box and licorice enveloped by hints of cloves, baking spices and mint. Full-bodied, rich and densely laden with ripe, seductive black fruit, the high level of velvety tannins imparts plenty of poise on the very long finish. Drink it now to 2024+.
93+ pts Kilikanoon Mort’s Reserve Riesling 2013
Scented of grapefruit zest, lemon juice and white pepper with hints of coriander seed and crushed stones, the light-bodied and dry 2013 Mort’s Reserve Riesling is quite taut at this youthful stage though the crisp acid line lends great tension to the citrus and mineral flavor intensity. It finishes with great persistence. Drink it 2015 to 2025+.
93+ pts Kilikanoon Green’s Vineyard Shiraz 2010
Deep garnet-purple colored and scented of prunes, blackberry coulis and cassis with hints of Chinese five spice and incense, the full-bodied 2010 Green’s Vineyard Shiraz offers tons of rich, black fruit preserves and exotic spice flavors in the mouth held up by a solid backbone of rounded tannins and balancing acid. It finishes long and harmonious. Drink it now to 2022+.
92+ pts Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2010
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has a youthfully muted nose of ripe red and blackcurrants, mulberries and black plums with hints of pencil shavings, violets and mint. The palate has tons of tight-knit fruit filling out the full-bodied frame along with firm, finely grained tannins and just enough acid to support. It finishes long. Drink it now to 2022+.
92+ pts Penley Estate Chertsey 2010
The deep garnet colored 2010 Chertsey is a 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc blend displaying a classically scented nose of cassis, ripe plums and cigar boxes with touch of cloves and aged meat. Medium-bodied and showing great poise and expression on the palate, its taut cassis and cedar flavors are framed by medium to firm, grainy tannins and lively acid before finishing long. Drink it now to 2024+.
91+ pts Penley Estate Special Select Shiraz 2010
Deep garnet-purple in color and scented of warm mulberries blackberry preserves and blueberry pie with hints of baking spices and Sichuan pepper, the medium to full-bodied 2010 Special Select Shiraz fills the mouth with expressive, evolving blackberry and spice flavors structured by medium to firm levels of ripe, rounded tannins, balanced acid and a finish with very good persistence. Drink it now to 2022+.
91+ pts Penley Estate Tolmer Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2010 Tolmer Cabernet Sauvignon has a pronounced nose of creme de cassis, blackberry preserves and cloves with hints of menthol, cigar boxes and chocolate. Full-bodied and packed with expressive blackcurrant and minted flavors, it is supported by firm, grainy tannins and lively acid before it finishes long. Drink it now to 2020+.
91+ pts Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz 2012
Deep purple-black in color, the 2012 Covenant Shiraz has a slightly reduced nose to begin with rubbery notes eventually giving way to core of crush blackcurrants, blackberry tart and blueberry preserves accented by hints of tar, pepper and anise. Full-bodied and densely fruited with muscular blackberry and earthy flavors, it shows a sold backbone of firm, rounded tannins and balanced acid before finishing long. Drink it now to 2022+.
91 pts Kilikanoon Block’s Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Deep garnet-purple in color and profoundly scented of creme de cassis and eucalyptus with underlying dark chocolate, clove and pencil lead hints, the rich, full-bodied 2012 Blocks Road Cabernet Sauvignon is packed with juicy blackcurrant flavor and structured by medium to firm levels of grainy tannins, lively acidity and a long finish. Drink it now to 2020+.
90+ pts Kilikanoon Exodus Shiraz 2012
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2012 Exodus Shiraz opens with a nose of dried plums, blackcurrant cordial and mulberries with an undercurrent of chocolate box, lavender and dried Provence herbs. Full-bodied and prominently structured by crisp acid and medium to firm grainy tannins, it has a good core of lively black fruit flavors that finishes long with a herbal lift. Drink it now to 2019+.
90 pts Kilikanoon Prodigal Grenache 2012
Pale to medium garnet-purple in color, the 2012 Prodigal Grenache is scented of red currant preserves, kirsch and black raspberries with touches of spice box, pepper and orange peel. Medium to full-bodied with a good concentration of red berry and peppery flavors, it has a medium level of soft tannins and just enough acid to hold through the finish with good length. Drink it now to 2018.
89+ pts Kilikanoon Baudinet Blend Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2012
Medium garnet-purple in color, the 2012 Baudinet Blend Grenache Shiraz Mataro is scented of warm red currants, kirsch and mulberries with hints of dried flowers, spice box and dusty earth. Full-bodied with mouth-filling red and black fruit flavors, it has a medium level of rounded tannins, bright acid and a long, peppery and spicy finish. Drink it now to 2019+.