A nicely aged and not jammy wine even with a 14.5% alcohol

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, mulberry, cocoa, Allspice, turmeric and leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol on the finish

Interesting Point: 8 years and still going strong

Drink now on its own or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Venison with blueberries and shallots.

Tasted: 30 Sept 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

I normally shy away from Vintages Esseentials, reason ... I can get them anytime so those limited release wines seem to get more attention from me.

A few weeks ago Vintages had a rather boring wine release so I explored a little and picked up this wine. I am glad I did.

Meduim to full bodied red, dark fruits, oak and smoky flavours were noted in this one.

This is a very good wine with a long finish. This is certainly one wine that I would revisit and buy again.