"It took a long time to put words down to properly express how exceptional this is, as it’s a wine of beauty, power and consideration. It’s perfectly formed with heady aromas of dark fruit, cassis, currants and cedary oak (not much, just a seasoning) and violets with the usual menthol (again not much). The mid-weighted palate is ultra-refined and layered with flavour, detail and richness, but all curtailed by fine acidity and the most exquisite tannins. The end result? Impeccable balance. Its youthful charm means this is drinking well today but, as Josh Cooper knows, this will last quite some distance."
97+ Points
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
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"Maiden Gully, Bendigo is cited on the fantastic, classical label of this wine. The history lessons from Josh Cooper are appreciated.
This wine puts me in mind of the great cabernets of Australia. It has a distinct minty, eucalyptus character but it fits with the cassis, dark cherry, white pepper, old cigar box, a curious volcanic ash note and red capsicum characters that meld around that. Distinctly minerally too, a cool, almost mineral water meets river pebble feel to this wine. Tightly wound, fine, sleek tannins lending a freshness and succulence that delivers comments like ‘outstanding tannin profile’ and similar. A medium weight and cool feeling wine, compact and energetic. This is ridiculously good red wine, complex, layered, nuanced, understated and just gorgeous and delicious to drink now; with an immense future. Lay on the superlatives. One of the best young cabernets I’ve seen from Australia, to stutter."
96+ Points
Mike Bennie, The Wine Front