Suckling (through Aussie wine writer Nick Stock) 96:
A complex blend of earthy, forest-wood and leafy aromas here with dark plums, cherries, dried blackcurrants and a herbal edge. The palate has such smoothly delivered, concentrated dark-berry flavors, layered with spiced currants, chocolate and plums. Great depth and power here. A blend of 56% cabernet sauvignon, 16% malbec, 13% merlot, 9% petit verdot and 6% cabernet franc. Drink or hold.
And Vinous loved it, too, rating it the top Clementine ever and saying:
Deep, vivid ruby. Incisive red and black currant and cherry pit scents, along with suggestions of pipe tobacco, vanilla, smoky minerals and cracked pepper. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering bitter cherry, dark berry, licorice and succulent herb flavors that slowly turn sweeter as the wine opens up. Conveys a suave blend of depth and liveliness and finishes extremely long and smoky, with smooth tannins adding discreet grip. In the context of high-end Australian red wine, this one delivers remarkable value.
They actually rate it over a number of Woodlands’s top $145 Cabernets.
A “remarkable value” at $60 and a really serious buy at this price
