Deep ruby. Sexy, oak-tinged dark berry and floral scents pick up cracked pepper and licorice flourishes with aeration. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sweet blackberry and cherry flavors that unfold and spread out steadily on the back half. Shows impressive clarity and spicy persistence on the finish, which is framed by smooth, even tannins.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Shiraz Bin 128 (from Coonawarra) has a good core of pronounced black fruits, loam and tar with chargrill notes plus a hint of black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is led by structure with a solid backbone, taut fruit and great length, going earthy/peppery on the finish.

Acidity 6.1 g/l, pH 3.62. 12 months in French oak hogsheads (26% new, 43% one year old, 31% two year old). Very aromatic – almost nasal decongestant! Then a dry finish but masses of fruit on the mid palate. So much more generously fruited than many Coonawarra reds. Time has shown that these wines can last 40 years. Hint of cough pastilles. Grainy finish. Really rather sophisticated. GV (JR)