Many will recall the days of the Wynns Claret, long consigned to the dustbin of history, but still able to revive memories through this wine. As Wynns says, those wines were made to a style rather than being about exact proportions. Today, the grapes are co-fermented with the intent of bringing about a red-fruit dominant style, a little more elegant than many. Job done! Vibrant yet opaque purple. We have earthy notes with a mix of mulberries, redcurrants and blackberries. There are also hints of chocolate, spices and coffee beans with finely integrated oak. Good balance and silky tannins, though there is some serious grip. Impressive length and, just on the finish, a tiny flick of a bitter coffee notes, which tie the wine together nicely. Drink over the next 8 to 10 years.

93 points, Wine Pilot (May 2023)

Really youthful, dark, inky and opaque in the glass, fabulous colour. Brooding aromas of plum, mulberry, blackberry, spice, cedar and a eucalyptus lift. Full flavoured, powerful and dark fruit driven, there's graphite, mocha and a brambly quality in there as well. The tannins are firm, shapely and drying and the acidity has real zip and spark. A very impressively built wine that has years ahead of it.

95 points, The Real Review (May 2023)

Distinct clove and rosemary herbal lift with eucalyptus suggestions, ripe, plummy fruit underneath, a touch of chocolate and some warm slate/stony mineral scents. The palate is almost crisp, decidedly light and luncheon Claret-y, old fashioned in a way but pure, and there’s some nougat/hazelnut savouriness overlaid on the concentrated but just medium weightdark berry fruit. Fine, light, silty tannin shaping things too. Feels thirst-quenching, almost, and a ripper for very long term cellaring.

95 points, The Wine Front (June 2023)

The quintessential Australian blend. Modest of alcohol and gently mid-weighted. Aromatic, evergreen and sappy, upholding the tradition of the luncheon claret. This drinks well already. Redcurrant, hedgerow and dried sage accents are spooled across bright acidity and a waft of astringency. Definitively on the lighter side, but it should fill out nicely with patience, at least for those so inclined. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.

92 points, JamesSuckling.com (June 2023)

Medium deep crimson. Attractive blackcurrant, blackberry, elderberry, dark chocolate aromas with herb garden, hint leafy notes. Well concentrated blackberry, cassis fruits, fine cedar, touch leafy tannins and well-integrated savoury notes. Finishes grippy firm and long with bittersweet chocolaty notes. 12.8% alc Drink 2024 – 2034

94 points

Very deep, very bright purple-red colour with a bouquet that combines the spice and vegetable characters of cool-climate shiraz with the pure essence of mulberry of cool-climate cabernet. The wine is medium bodied and elegantly structured, with fine grained tannins, tight focus and excellent balance. A very fine red indeed.

95 points, The Real Review (June 2023)