James Halliday
Australian Wine Companion 2012 gives Grampians Estate a “Five Red Star” rating for the third year – the very highest rating and one given to just 3.8% of wineries.
2008 Streeton Reserve Shiraz
Deep colour; a big boned and dark fruited offering showing roasted meat, black fruit and chewy tannins, all in abundance; a dense, long and full blooded style for those in need of wine with large proportions. 94. Drink to 2020.
2008 Garden Gully Vineyard St Ethels Shiraz
Bright colour; blueberry, clove and struck quartz are all evident on the bouquet; medium bodied, with crunchy blue fruits and refreshing acidity; attractive graphite tannins, yet soft and supple to conclude. 94. Drink by 2018. $39.
Australian Wine Companion 2011
2006 Black Sunday Friends Sparkling Shiraz
95 points and equal top in Australia, “An echo of the great Seppelt sparkling shirazs of the 40s and 50s (with a leap of imagination perhaps); this wine has absolutely wonderful sweet shiraz fruit – not sugar sweetness – on the finish, and will develop and change for up to 20 years if well cellared. Crown seal. 14.6% alc. Rating 95 To 2025 $35.
2006 Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz
Well-balanced, neither oak nor sweetness obvious, just gently spicy shiraz, perhaps with a touch of licorice; good length and balance. Crown seal. 14% alc. Rating 94. To 2015. $35.
Australian Wine Companion 2010
2006 Black Sunday Friends Reserve Shiraz
In the genre of the 1998 Bannockburn Shiraz; grapes from six Victorian cool-climate regions, most from the Grampians and Pyrenees; a wonderful tapestry of vibrant spices and black fruits; marvellous thrust to almost explosive finish. Rating 96 To 2021.
2007 Streeton Reserve Shiraz
Good colour; the first tiny estate production (385 kg) since the ’06 bushfires, augmented with grapes from local growers; has all the elegance and length for which Grampians Estate is rightly famous. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 94. To 2022. $65.