An interesting amalgamation of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Marsanne. The former is very much noticeable on the nose through the bright, honeyed citrus fruit, while the Marsanne supplies the body and stone fruit finish.
Decanter April 2009 - Wines of the Month

Attractive yeasty nose. Soft creamy mousse hiding notes of vlueberries and savoury tarts. Interesting, complex, yet balanced. From 2009.
3 Stars. Decanter July 2009 – New World Sparkling Wines

This has a beautiful, concentrated nose, full ofwaxy aromas of grapefruit, lime and lemon. The balanced palate is no less intense, yet light in body, with strong varietal character and streaks of minerality, leading through to a honeyed finish
Wines of the Month, Decanter November 2009

James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2008 Edition
95/100 Spotlessly clean and aromatic, immaculately crafted throughout; a perfect balance between red (cassis) and black (blackcurrant, spice) fruit components, oak and tannins.

Sour dough, savoury. Lively, big bubbles, strong acidity, lemon, integrated with soft yet ripe fruits. From 2009.
3 Stars. Decanter July 2009 – New World Sparkling Wines

I've enjoyed some delicious Provence rose - and some very disappointing efforts that take themselves seriously. But none offered the sheer wow-factor of this brilliantly pink, big, summer-puddingly, cherry and plum packed wine.
Six reasons why Australia is worth more than £5 - Robert Joseph, Decanter November 2009

James Halliday
The Weekend Australian Magazine June 13-14, 2009
Jeffrey Grosset could well afford to make a Clare Valley semillon and an Adelaide Hills sauvignon blanc as two wines, but clearly believes the blend is synergistic. And indeed it is a totally delicious and beautifully moulded mouthful of wine, the two components seamlessly woven in a citrus/stone fruit web tied up by gentle acidity. Screwcap; 13%alc/vol; to 2012.
Rating: 95

Richer, deeper, and fuller-bodied with more nuances, the 2005 Grenache exhibits a flowery, black raspberry and sweet kirsch-scented bouquet. A bigger better effort than its older sibling, it should drink well for 5-7 years.
Rating: 91 Points
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE – Issue 167, October 2006

Made using biodynamic methods, this is crisp and vibrant with grassy, peapod aromas. The flavours are similarly lean and green, with spiky fruit and an ashy touch, all bound up in a taut, mineral structure. Lip-smackingly fresh. From 2009.
Decanter December 2009 - Wines of the Month

Mature savoury aromas, spicy. Round, nicely evolved palate, very complete and harmonious, with medium length. From 2009. 3 Stars – Recommended.
Decanter December 2009 – South Australian Cabernets

Decanter magazine, February 2009 - Sweet Wines

"A wine made from the grapes raisined on the vine, after the canes were cut. Fortified and aged, the result is intense and fresh, with crystalised orange and spices"

Decanter Magazine October 2007 -Rating: Gold
"Lovely elegance. Seductive. Blackcurrant and cassis. Youthful modern style. Spicy, attractive, long. Cigar box. Beautiful wine - elegant."

'Opaque purple-colored with legs that ooze down the glass, it displays a reticent bouquet that with coaxing reveals wood smoke, violets, black currant and blackberry. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with a glossy texture, succulent fruit, and excellent concentration…'
Jay Miller, 90 points, Wine Advocate

'A glass-staining opaque purple color, it emits an enticing aromatic array of sandalwood, Asian spices, incense, blueberry, and blackberry preserves. Dense, sweet, and layered on the palate, it is surprisingly light on its feet despite its size. Concentrated, lengthy, and full-flavored, this wine is all about pleasure…'
Jay Miller, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Luscious nose, cherry. Lovely vanilla, cherry flavour, lingers, drinking well now. Clean, fresh and intense, easy drinking. From 2009. 3 Stars – Recommended.
Decanter December 2009 – South Australian Cabernets

ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE - Issue 181, February 2009
The 2006 Shiraz is a glass-coating opaque purple colour with an aromatic array of pain grille, pencil lead, smoke, espresso, and blueberry. Layered on the palate, it has outstanding grip, savoury black fruit flavours, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It will continue to unwind for several years and offer a drinking window extending from 2012-2022.
Rating: 91 Points

Robert Parker Jnr, Wine Advocate, Issue 167 (USA), 31 October 2006 - 94 Points
"In general, I find Coonawarra a vastly over-rated region for cabernet Sauvignon, with a few noticeable exceptions, one of which is Yalumba's the Menzies, a cabernet Sauvignon aged in 300 liter French and American hogsheads for 22 months. The 2003 The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon reveals gorgeous notes of creosote, blueberry liqueur, black-currants, licorice, and cedar. Full-bodied with great fruit purity, real stature, wonderful sweetness (from glycerine), ripe tannin, and a long, heady finish, it can be drunk now or cellared for 15 or more years."`

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate October 2007 - 95 Points
"d`Arenberg`s most famous wine is its flagship, The Dead Arm Shiraz. The 2005 The Dead Arm Shiraz is sourced from ancient hand-pruned vines. It was aged for 22 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak. It is opaque purple/black with an expansive perfume of toast, smoke, spice box, mineral, pencil lead, tar, licorice, blueberry, and blackberry. Full-bodied, opulent, and superconcentrated, this structured, lengthy wine will benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring and drink well through 2025."

Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator Insider, 23rd April 2008
"A wine of finesse, this strikes an enticing balance between crisp tannins and supple, generous texture underneath, sporting generous blueberry, blackberry and plum fruit that picks up hints of red pepper and garrigue as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2016."

Intense, blackcurrent fruit, vibrant, one dimensional, just a touch baked, but juicy as well. Simple now, but appealing. From 2013. 3 Stars – Recommended.
Decanter December 2009 – South Australian Cabernets

Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator Insider, May 2008
"Firm. This is balanced with a vibrant core of red cherry, raspberry and spice flavours that persist on the chewy finish, expending to show hints of dark chocolate and sweet spices. Best from 2010 through 2016. From Australia - H.S. 93 points"

Jancis Robinson The Financial Times.
“Amongst my favourite Australian old vine shirazes.”


James Halliday The Australian Wine Companion.
“Powerful distinguished shiraz, medium to full bodied with perfectly balanced blackberry fruit tannins and oak. Undoubted 20 year development.”

Decanter magazine, February 2009 - Western Australia Cabernet & Blends

"Ripe-berry nose. Fine balance and texture. Round and smooth on the palate. Creamy, showing very well. From 2009"

James Halliday, Australian Wine Compendium 2010
In absolutely classic Odyssey style; three years in new and one-year-old French and American barriques; silky smooth black fruits, cedary oak and tannins all coalesce; the screwcap will underwrite its long future. 14% alc. Rating 95. To 2024. Listed in the "Best of the Best Cabernet Sauvignons"

The Wine Advocate (USA), October 2006
"A new offering that I have never tasted before is the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, The Benbournie, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 14 months in French oak. This spectacular effort admirably demonstrates what can be achieved in Clare Valley with Cabernet. Gorgeous peppery, minty, black currant and flowery scents jump from the glass of this inky/purple-hued wine. Full-bodied, powerful, intense and rich, with notes of roasted meats, dried herbs, and spice, good purity and a sensational finish, it is accessible now and should drink well for 15-20 years." 96 points


James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition
"Deep colour and equally deep-flavoured wine, with blackcurrant fruit at the extremely ripe end of the scale, the tannins and oak well-handled." 91 points


Intensely aromatic; classic spice and concentrated cassis fruit. Supple textured tannins and balancing acidity, well crafted. From 2010. 3 Stars – Recommended.
Decanter December 2009 – South Australian Cabernets