Wine Advocate (95)

The 2006 Springflat Shiraz is 100% varietal aged in 100% new French and American oak. The nose offers up an array of cedar, saddle leather, boysenberry, blackberry, and blueberry compote. This is followed by a sweetly fruited, opulent wine with layers of spicy flavors, earth notes, and spice box. Balanced and exceptionally long, this large-scaled effort will evolve for another 5-7 years and be at its best through 2031.

Halliday Wine Companion (92)

Old-school Coonawarra wrapped within a sheath of contemporary tannin management. Smoother, perhaps, but the region's green olive scented tannins, sinewy and edgy, are strongly genetic. Otherwise, currant, bay leaf and an herbaceous undercarriage of mint, clove and bouquet garni push across a persistent linger.

Halliday Wine Companion (96)

Strong purple-crimson; from the first whiff to the finish and aftertaste, the wine has remarkable cohesion, line and balance; there are hints of spice to the essentially black fruits, the French oak evident but seamless, the mouthfeel supple and velvety, the finish with a dry, savoury twist, just what was needed. Screwcap.

Indulge in the exquisite flavours of World's End Little Sister Merlot Reserve 2013, an embodiment of luxury in the realm of fine wines. Produced in the fertile vineyards of Napa Valley, California, this fine Merlot is the brainchild of renowned winemaker, Jonathan Maltus, whose credible exploits in Bordeaux have been infused into this splendid creation.

The World's End Little Sister Merlot Reserve 2013 is a harmonious blend of nature's bounty and the craftsmanship of experienced vintners. The grapes are carefully hand-harvested to preserve their robust qualities, then aged in French oak barrels to enrich the final profile.

The wine exhibits a mélange of ripe black fruit flavours, nuanced by subtle undertones of spice, emanating from its consists refinement process. Its full-bodied, layered composition culminates in a lingering finish, enveloping your palate in a delightful luxury. A joy to savour, it pairs well with rich, hearty culinary offerings. Experience the opulence of fine wine with the World's End Little Sister Merlot Reserve 2013.

Vinous (91)

The 2015 Black Label from Wynns, which debuted way back in 1954 but only sported a black label from 1965, is aged for 18 months in 19% new oak. It has a ravishing bouquet of black cherries, menthol, lavender and pitted black olives, well defined and displaying just the right amount of plushness. The palate offers vibrant red fruit laced with white pepper and clove, plus touches of orange peel. There’s plenty of vibrancy here, and hints of cough candy toward the well-balanced, fresh finish. This is a delightful Cabernet Sauvignon that is à point but will have no problem aging for another 20 years.

Andrew Caillard MW (100)

Deep crimson. Lovely pure blackcurrant elderberry herb garden aromas with hints of espresso/ roasted chestnut notes. Beautiful concentrated wine with blackcurrant elderberry chinotto herb flavours, fine-grained and plentiful yet vigorous tannins, superb mid palate richness and integrated roasted chestnut/ cedar oak notes. Finishes chalky firm with a long inky/ graphite plume. Made for the long haul. Powerfully expressive yet unforced wine with superb vinosity, richness, density and volume. Superb. The fruit derives from the V&A (Victoria & Albert) and Nursery Vineyards, both located on classic terra rossa soils. From a dry, mild to warm growing season. Wait a few years to let it unfold, 2025-2050.

Matthew Jukes (19.5+)

This is the most incredible Wynns Cabernet I can remember. This is a fairly heavy statement because I have been drinking these wines for 35 years and on my website you will find vertical tastings of Wynns epic reds going back to 1957. Wynns is Coonawarra’s most famous and historic wine estate and John Riddoch is its flagship wine. This is one of only a handful of Australian wines sold via La Place de Bordeaux, the elite distribution system for top Bordeaux châteaux and a limited number of top-class vins étrangers. I am convinced this wine will be one of the most sought-after non-French wines since La Place opened up its portfolio to wines like Opus One. With only 35% new French oak barriques and hogsheads involved, the sensational Coonawarra Cabernet is allowed to sing at its purest and most melodic in this spectacular vintage. What amazes me is the extraordinary complexity of perfume, flavour, depth and length in this wine. It expands on the palate in all directions without being a heavy or imposing wine. I have awarded the wine a score of 19.5+/20 in my notes, which puts it in the very highest echelons of cabernet sauvignon in the world. The balance is extraordinary, not least because, at only three years old, it can be swallowed and savoured with ease, and yet there must be three or four decades ahead for this majestic wine.

Bob Campbell MW (97)

Marries elegance with depth and power, elegance controlling the union. Whereas oak is often very obvious in young Michael releases, here it is just a veneer for the supple plum, black cherry and blackberry fruits, the tannins likewise perfectly pitched. Coonawarra didn't miss out on the great '12 vintage.

The Xavier Gerard Cote Rotie 2020 is a mesmerising testament to Xavier Gerard's dedication to viticulture and his profound understanding of the region's distinctive terroir. From the steep, terraced vineyards of Northern Rhône, this gracefully balanced Syrah embodies impeccable finesse, cultural heritage, and artisanal craft. Each grape is hand-selected and fermented with indigenous yeasts, preserving the unique characteristics of its prized appellations, Côte Brune and Côte Blonde. Post-fermentation, the wine matured for 18 months in French oak barrels, tempering its inherent power to delicate roundness.

This exemplary Rhône River Valley ambassador boasts an intense bouquet of black fruit, violet perfumes, and convergent spices. On the palate, expect an enchanting display of supple tannins, ample acidity, and opulent black fruit flavours harmoniously culminating in a rich, enduring finish. Simply put, the Xavier Gerard Cote Rotie 2020 captures the quintessence of French wine sophistication that discerning connoisseurs will undoubtedly appreciate.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

The NV Vin de France Arcane Le Fou is another unique wine from this incredible winemaker. This cuvée focuses on different clones of Grenache as well as just about every permitted variety out there (although it’s 85% Grenache). It has a big, sweet nose of blueberries, black cherries, lavender, and peppery incense as well as a full-bodied, layered, powerful yet seamless style on the palate. With no hard edges, silky tannins, and a big finish, it’s a singular wine (it’s mostly from vines in Châteauneuf Du Pape) to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

Blended in 2010 and bottle in 2019, aged in barrels always submerged in wine, the 2001 Châteauneuf Du Pape Ange sports a still youthful ruby color as well as a beautiful bouquet of cured meats, ground pepper, tobacco, white truffle, and spice. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it's multi-dimensional, layered, and elegant, with a Bonneau-like complexity and style. This is a thrilling wine.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

Blended in 2010 and bottle in 2019, aged in barrels always submerged in wine, the 2001 Châteauneuf Du Pape Ange sports a still youthful ruby color as well as a beautiful bouquet of cured meats, ground pepper, tobacco, white truffle, and spice. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it's multi-dimensional, layered, and elegant, with a Bonneau-like complexity and style. This is a thrilling wine.

Vinous (92)

The 2017 Volnay En Carelle Sous La Chapelle 1er Cru has a slightly disjointed bouquet that requires only a couple of minutes to gain focus and delineation, though the aromatics lack the vibrancy and purity of the succeeding vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with pretty red cherry and red plum fruit, coming across a little conservative toward the finish, but boy, does this meliorate with aeration! After a couple of hours it suddenly goes up through the gears, developing more precision and harmony than it had immediately after opening. My score reflects this Volnay in full flight.

Vinous (87-88)

The 2017 Volnay is soft, open-knit and pliant, with lovely red berry fruit and floral character. Lifted, ethereal and gracious, the 2017 will drink nicely upon release.

Vinous (90-93)

Clerget's Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru is one of the more overtly ripe wines in the lineup. Kirsch, red raspberries, mint and wild flowers are all given an extra kick of raciness in the Santenots, a wine that really stands out for its nuance, suppleness and flat-out deliciousness.

James Suckling (98)

This is a strong cross-regional combination. Immense depth of olives, cassis, blue plums and iodine with blackberries, earthy nuances, fragrant baking spices and chocolate. The palate is beautifully assembled with deep-set tannins that carry long and majestic. Rich dark-fruit flavors. A landmark first release that will drink well for decades. Drink from 2024.

Matthew Jukes (19.5+)

2013 is a powerhouse, with density, structure and presence, but it is not a heavy wine! Instead, this is a cerebral, through-provoking number with layer upon layer of savoury, noble fruit. The differences between the yin and yang of these two vintages is also evident in the blend. 2012 was made of 79% Cabernet (of which 27% was Barossan and the lion’s share was from Coonawarra) and 21% Barossa Shiraz. In 2013 KG marries 55% Coonawarra Cabernet with 45% Barossa Shiraz. This is a more ‘historical-Aussie-claret-shaped’ wine and the extra splash of Barossa Shiraz helps to bring flesh to the upright, masterful Cabernet.

The Real Review (98)

This wine is continuing to build, and is now showing a glorious perfume, the aromatics similar to the 2012, which set a very high standard that this vintage reaches and arguably surpasses. Spicy and ultra-complex, with shiraz and Barossa both evident in the wine. It's very intense, taut and concentrated, as well as finely-textured and incredibly long in the mouth. A great wine of wonderful purity and harmony. (74% Coonawarra cabernet, 26% Barossa shiraz)

Matthew Jukes (20++)

You have seen my MoneyWeek article above and this time that is all you are getting. This wine WILL feature in my 100 Best Australian Wines Report 2021-22, which WILL be released this year. Forgive me for the capitals, but I have had enough of this pandemic and so I am pressing on regardless. You already know my score, but here it is again and it certainly bears repeating. But before I type this perfect number again I would like to inform you that I tasted 450 bottles of 2020 En Primeur Bordeaux this year and I would, of course, love you to download this Report from this website. The reason for mentioning this is that none of them warranted a perfect score, so I hope that this underlines just how remarkable it is that The Caley has done this twice in five years and also, with an average of 19.6/20, this accounts for my lofty headline at the top of this article.

Vinous (96)

The 2015 The Signature cellar release is powerful yet understated with mulberry, blackberry and clove spice against a backdrop of beautifully integrated oak. This is rich, fleshy and still youthful, with a lovely even flow. Its fruit power and tension are still holding strong. The 2015 is getting close to its peak but has plenty left to give over at least a decade, if not two.

James Suckling (96)

A very youthful vintage, this is taut and will age very well. Aromas of blackcurrants, tar, blackberries and baking spices lead to a palate that has such an intense, gently smoky thread with a succulent, juicy red-plum, berry and spice finish. Light espresso. Super long-aging Signature here. A blend of Barossa cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Try from 2024.

James Suckling (96)

A cooler vintage has tuned this into darker fruit aromas and flavors, as well as attractively spicy notes and a wealth of rich blackcurrants, blueberries and dark stones. Some leafy aromas here, too. The palate holds a richly concentrated core of black fruit in deeply powerful tannins. Seamlessly integrated oak. So impressive. A star of the 2017 vintage. A blend of 53% cabernet sauvignon and 47% shiraz. Drink over the next decade.

James Suckling (100)

So plush with a mix of red and blue-fruit aromas on the nose, as well as blood-orange and almost violet-like floral notes. The palate is very plush and juicy with such a long, seamless and silky feel. Super intense and very, very plush with deep, deep rich fruit. Mouthwatering. Super long. Super rich.

Halliday Wine Companion (99)

Special Value. Ex 1946 Blewitt Springs bush vines planted in a deep sandy dune that Yangarra call The Beach; dry-grown, bunch-sorted, wild yeast, open fermented and basket pressed. Bright clear though deep crimson hue; scented/perfumed, and I'm gone for all money without even tasting it. And I haven't fooled myself. Except why on earth is it only $45? Its red fruit sundae glistens with dew drops on a spider's web, yet also has a savoury echo towards the finish.

Decanter (96)

Glass-staining purple colour. Incredibly powerful with searching perfume, leaf tea and glove leather behind the intense black fruits. Very fine and deep, perhaps just a touch too high in alcohol, a little overextracted. Phenomenal concentration and length however. A growling, brooding power, this could only be Hermitage. From vines of nearly 50 years of age grown organically on lieux-dits Beaumes and Péléat, matured in demi-muids with malolactic fermentation in barrel.