Shiraz 2012 Awards Gold medal & Best Australian Wine 2015 Japan Wine Challenge (JPN) Double Gold 2016 Sakura Wine Awards (JPN) Gold 2017 Sakura Wine Awards (JPN) Silver Medal 2015 Decanter Asia Wine Awards (HK) Mike Bennie, WBM National (Australia), 1 December 2016 92 points Classic Katnook Coonawarra shiraz here scents of red berries, leather, earth, clove and twiggy oak, and the palate supports both dense fruit and a comely richness of spicy oak character. It s gritty, firm and dusty in its finish, in that old-school, satisfying way. A great release from this stalwart producer. 92 points. Mike Frost, Courier Mail (Australia), 15 July 2016 93 points People forget it was shiraz that made Coonawarra s early reputation for classy red wines, with cabernet the dominant variety now. This Katnook red from the warm, dry 2012 vintage, shows rich dark plum and berry fruit on the nose and palate, with some pepper and spice, while maturation in older oak barrels adds structure. Enjoy over the next decade or so with roast beef or slow-cooked beef cheeks. Peter Chapman, APN Newspapers (Australia), 13 July 2016 94 points A full bodied shiraz that perfectly reflects the best quality reds coming out of the Coonawarra district. Liked the peppers that shone through the ripe raspberry and plum flavours. FOOD: T-Bone RATING: 94/100 onceuponawine.blogspot.com.au (Australia), 2 July 2016 The Katnook Estate Shiraz 2012 is made with fruit from the Coonawara region. It is a full bodied wine with generous ripe fruit flavours such as blackberry, blueberry with spicy and oakey notes. It was aged in 15 months in a combination of French and American oak. A delicious drop which is worth checking out. This wine can be enjoyed now but Once Upon A Wine recommends that it is cellared (as it can be cellared for up to 15 years).
John Lewis, Newcastle Herald (Australia), 9 July 2016 5 stars THE first commercial Coonawarra wine was produced in 1896 by the area s founder John Riddoch. It was predominantly shiraz and was made in a woolshed that today houses the Katnook winery. These days the region is most famed for its cabernet sauvignons but, its shiraz reds offer great enjoyment. Katnook has the distinction of winning the 1997 Jimmy Watson Trophy with its Prodigy shiraz. This 13.5 per cent alcohol shiraz is deep garnet, has fruitcake aromas and zips onto the front palate with ripe blackcurrant flavour. The middle palate introduces mulberry, coffee cream chocolate, cloves and savoury oak characters and the finish shows persistent berry fruit and dusty tannins. Campbell Mattison, Winefront (Australia), 6 June 2016 91 points It s tempting to label this release of Katnook Estate Shiraz as exotic. Flavours fly here and there. There s nothing lacking about this wine. It feels warmer and bolder than its stated 13.5 percent alcohol would suggest, though we re not talking anything excessive here. It s high on toast and blackberry, jellied raspberry and redcurrant. It was aged in both French and American oak and while the percentage of new oak wasn t high, it certainly has made an impression: resin, toast and spearmint characters are here in volume. It s smooth but not overly seductive. I tasted this wine a year ago and used the word curious. The word still springs to mind. The other word is mouthfilling. That s apt too. Rated : 91 Points Aoife Boothroyd, Hospitality Magazine (Australia), 18 September 2015 Coonawarra s 2012 Katnook Shiraz has taken out the title of Best Australian Wine at the 18th annual Japan Wine Challenge. The result places the drop into the top five percent of almost 1,400 wines entered from over 28 countries. In addition to the trophy, the Katnook Estate 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon and Katnook Founder s Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 were also both awarded a silver medal. Such international recognition supports my long held belief that Coonawarra Shiraz is just as exciting as its more famous counterpart, Cabernet Sauvignon, says Katnook s Senior Winemaker, Wayne Stehbens. In ideal vintage conditions, such as those presented in 2012, our region yields elegant Shiraz, with a hint of white pepper and plenty of mid palate flavour. These wines age gracefully over 10 15 years The Japan Wine Challenge is Asia's oldest and most prestigious wine competition with the judging panel comprising industry heavy weights such as Anthony Rose MW (UK), David Wrigley MW (UK), Anthony Dias Blue (US), Andrew Caillard MW (Australia) and Veronique Raisin (France). The show was chaired by Lynne Sherriff MW, chair of the Institute of Masters of Wine. The Awards Ceremony for the Japan Wine Challenge 2015 will take place on Friday 29th January 2016 at the Conrad Tokyo Hotel. James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2016 (Australia), 1 August 2015 92 points Aged in French and American oak, a fairly low percentage of which is new. It's a wine of ribald perfume, with apricot, spearmint and jubey, jellied raspberry adding light to ripe plum and dark chocolate notes. Various floral notes only add to the fragrant display. It's a pretty wine, and beautifully structured, but there's an element of curiosity to its style. Winestate National (Australia), 1 December 2014 Intense ripe plum varietal fruit with sweet and spicy oak and some tannins that need time to calm down.
Shiraz 2010 Awards 2015 Sommelier Wine Awards (UK) 2013 International Wine & Spirits Competition (UK) 2013 International Wine Challenge (UK) 2012 International Wine & Spirits Competition (UK) 2015 Sommelier Wine Awards (UK), 2015 Silver Medal Blueberry and blackcurrant with notes of spice and mint on the nose, said Charles Van Wyk of FJB Hotels, adding: Well balanced on the palate with attractive, silky, smoky notes integrated with ripe fruit and refreshing acidity. Lisa Perrotti Brown, erobertparker.com (USA), February 2014 90 points Medium dark garnet purple in colour, the 2010 Katnook Estate Shiraz has aromas of warm blackberries and black cherries with hints of pepper, Asian spices, chocolate and anise. Medium bodied and framed by a medium level of rounded tannins and bright acidity, it has mouth filling fruit flavours and a long finish. Drink it now to 2019. Rob Geddes, Little Gold Book 2014 (Australia) 4 stars Considerable oak contributes pencil and caramel aromas welded to the ripe berry fruit. Very soft hallmark tannins allow for a smooth entry. A soft middle palate and some saliva inducing tannin and acid finishes with black fruit soft. If you like smooth and complex this is for you. Four stars Winestate (Australia), 1 December 2013 Lean, green, austere style of shiraz with vibrant crimson hues. A very flavoursome and well made winedown. John Lewis, Newcastle Herald (Australia), 16 October 2013 5 out of 5 Shiraz plays second fiddle to cabernet sauvignon in Coonawarra but, as this smooth multi layered red shows, the variety should not be ignored. This 2010 has 13.5 per cent alcohol and is deep purple. Glacé cherry and gum leaf litter scents come through on the nose and ripe plum flavour glides onto the front of the palate. Fruit elements of blackcurrant, licorice and peppermint chocolate integrate with savoury oak on the middle palate and earthy tannins feature at the finish. Rating: 5 out of 5 Ageing: 8 years
Ben Thomas, The Weekly Review (Australia), 31 August 2013 4 & ½ out of 5 Most grape varieties take a back seat to cabernet in Coonawarra, but Katnook Estate, through its shiraz, sav blanc (I rate it as one of the better Australian examples) and sparkling, is doing great things with its other wines. From a top Coonawarra vintage, this has bright red and dark berry aromas, plus a little mint and a deep core of blackberry, plum, cherry and dusty oak flavours that are balanced with bright acid and a layer of fine, drying tannins. Rating: 4 & 1/2 out of 5. Food match Smoked beef brisket. James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2014 (Australia), 26 July 2013 94 points Deep, bright crimson; restrained and savoury aromas of black fruits, sage and spicy mocha oak; the palate is medium to full bodied, with tightly packed tannins and fresh black fruits, offset by a lingering mocha and floral violet note to conclude. www.internationalwinechallenge.com (UK), 14 May 2013 Long, restrained and elegant. A classic example of Coonawarra Shiraz, with alluring blackberry supported by violet and minty notes. Smoky, smooth tannins and incredible length. Very classy. Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury (Australia), 11 May 2013 There s been an absolute cavalcade of quality red wines from the 2010 vintage, one of the best for a decade. From Coonawarra s famous terra rosa strip this is a ripping red, opulent and classy with lashings of plum and berry fruit, spice, silken tannins and lovely balance after 18 months in a combination of French and American oak. Ian MacTavish, Better Homes and Gardens (Australia), April, 2013 A fine vintage from one of our favourite Coonawarra producers.great colours and grand red fruit flavours a magic wine. Lindsay Saunders, Tweed Sun & Gold Coast Sun (Australia), 31 January 2013 The Coonawarra is considered one of Australia s premier regions, especially for reds, by greater minds than ours but we re not arguing, especially with evidence such as this. Word is that the 2010 Coonawarra vintage will be remembered not only for being one of the best hut also the earliest the harvest began on February 13 and wound up on April 13. All well and good, you may say now tell us about what s in the bottle. Fair enough. What you have here is a prime example of a good, solid Aussie shiraz, even though it is from a region perhaps best know for cab says. This little beauty is juicy and rich with dark berries and spice on the palate and a deliciously long, dry finish. Team it with a good solid red meat dish or a hard cheese that can stand up for itself and remind yourself why shiraz is the king of reds. Lay this one down for up to 12 years if you can somehow resist opening it before then. Good luck.
Andrew Grahame, Oz Wine Review (Australia), 19 January 2013 90 points Very much an old fashioned oak driven Australian red this, built in that thick grained, slightly raw, chocolatey American oak driven style that is a flashback to the lavishly oaked wines of the late 90s and early 00s. Whilst many producers have walked away from such a wine style, there is an unquestionable attractiveness of the better made examples. Wines with heart no doubt. What s interesting here is that the oak is still noticeable, even though the wine was matured in seasoned barrels. Luckily the fruit underneath is lively, giving a kit kat and plum fruit character that is well up to the task of competing with the chewy tannins. I like that richness and the vibrancy of fruit is good, the only further question here is just how recognisably regional it is. Besides the acidity this could be a Barossan red such is the chocolatey style. Think bigger style 128 and you re on the money. Pleasant and bound to win the hearts and minds of anyone brought up on a diet of Penfolds reds from the 90s, if just a bit raw and raw oaked for big points. Drink: 2013 2023+ Campbell Mattison, The Winefront (Australia), 16 January 2013 91+ points French and American oak. Something of a heavy hitter of Coonawarra. Made for those who like their Aussie reds to be well made, in a slightly old fashioned style. Juicy and generous. Tastes of leather and sweet plums, toast and apple like acidity. Distinct creaminess to the wine s texture. Medium weight and well balanced. Should age soundly. A reliably good wine. Rated : 91+ Points Drink : 2015 2022
Shiraz 2009 Winestate (Australia), October 2012 A very flavoursome and complex wine with a massive amount of oak and lovely earthy, savoury notes. Still very fresh. James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2013 (Australia), July 2012 94 points Good crimson purple; an elegant, medium bodied wine, with a harmonious fusion od blackberry, cherry and spice fruit, its sojourn of 18 months in 20 percent new French and American oak judged to perfection. Easy to drink now, but with the option of extended ageing. Mike Bennie, WBM National (Australia), 1 July 2012 There s some slick, chewy tannin propping up the medium bodied frame of the wine, but the core of fruit is intense, deep and shows the spice and concentration of Xmas cake richness. Oak makes a mark, but the resiny, spicy wood is absorbed by fruit through the close. Well built. Toni Patterson MW, Australian House and Garden (Australia), 1 May 2012 Rich, chocolatety and delicious. Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury (Australia), 14 December 2011 Matured for 18 months in a combination of American and French oak this is a wine of finesse poised and opulent with lashings of plum, black and red fruit, a lick of spice, nicely balanced, fine, silky tannins and a pedigree to cellar for a decade or more. Drink with roast duck. Patrick Haddock, Wining Pom (Australia), 1 December 2011 I have to admire that with all the Katnook releases the alcohol levels have remained around the 13.5 percent mark. There s a similarity in oak treatment that lends a note of creamy vanilla influence that s evident in this and the Merlot. It shows plum and mulberry with seasoned wood spice and the trace of the aforementioned vanillin. It s full of soft, plum fruit, some charry, earthy characters and nicely dusty tannins before a trace of spice and a persistent length. Good example of Coonawarra Shiraz.
Shiraz 2008 Awards 2010 International Wine & Spirits Competition (UK) Andrew Caillard MW, Langton s website (Australia), August 2011 Deep colour. Lovely intense blueberry/ praline/ red plum/ herb garden aromas. Well concentrated blueberry/ juicy fruit flavours, fine plentiful chocolaty tannins. Finishes chalky firm. Touch of liquorice. James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2012 (Australia), July 2011 93 points Mid garnet, red hue; understated red and black fruit bouquet, with spice and a suggestion of mint; the palate is juicy and full of crunchy red fruit, drying yet fine grained tannin, a hint of brine and long and savoury to conclude. Rating 93. Cellar until 2020. Ray Jordan, Weekend West Australian (Australia), 5 February 2011 95 points What a superb wine. Comes from the outstanding 2008 vintage. Has an earthy savouriness of full ripe Coonawarra fruit on the nose with a liberal amount of American oak. It s just so beautifully balanced, with a soft,fully ripe tannin structure and layers of fruit and oak complexity. Great potential. 95/100. Perfect with roast lamb. Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury, 17 (Australia), February 2011 A stellar example of a Coonawarra shiraz. Matured in a combination of French and American oak, supple and yummy with intense plum and berry fruit flavours, integrated spice, poise and balance, soft tannins.
Shiraz 2007 James Halliday, Australian Wine Compendium 2011 (Australia) 94 points The impact of 22 months in 20 percent new French and 80 percent second use American oak barrels is immediately obvious, although there is a substantial well of plum and blackberry fruit to provide a balanced counter to that oak; the tannins are fine and ripe, and the wine has a long finish. Rating 94 points. Five glass rating outstanding. Cellar to 2022. Katrina Holden, Drinks (Australia), December 2010 Elegant, cool climate characters and soft spice. Soft, lingering tannins and persistent length a wine with finesse and style. Winestate Magazine (Australia), November/December 2010 Lightly oaked wine with a lifted, peppery nose and sweet ripe flavours on a powerful palate.
Shiraz 2006 Rob Geddes MW, Australian Wine Vintages, 27th Edition 2010 (Australia) 4 stars Big, jammy spiced blackberry fruit, oak lavishly applied, soupy soft tannins. Round, very ripe and offering a softer easier take on the variety in Coonawarra. 4 stars outstanding quality, intensity and length of flavour. Peter Forrestal, Sunday Times (Australia), 15 November 2009 Ripe vanilla bean and mulberry flavours, with firm but approachable tannins. James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2010 (Australia), August 2009 93 points Gently spiced black fruit aromas; a supple, smooth medium bodied palate, cedary overtones to the predominantly black fruits, with a few red touches; fine tannins. Rating 93 points. Cellar to 2020.
Shiraz 2005 James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion, 2009 (Australia) 92 points Lovely clean blackberry fruit, with just a little spice; good flavour, and sure oak treatment; bright fruit on the medium bodied palate; long and fine finish. Rating 92 points. Cellar to 2018. David Lawrason, www.winealign.com (Canada), 24 November 2009 A little leaner and more savoury than many an Aussie shiraz, but if you are a Euro fan, you ll love this. Very lifted, savoury aromas of menthol, tobacco, pepper and leather, with some dried fruit in the background. Medium full, taut and minerally with excellent length. Tasted Nov 09. Vic Harradine, winecurrent.com (Canada), 21November 2009 Savoury spice, peppery notes and black currant aromas all make an appearance on the expressive nose. There are succulent flavours of kirsch liqueur, ripe mulberry fruit and wisps of oak, from 15 months in barrel, on the palate. It s medium bodied, generously textured and dishes out a lengthy well balanced fruit filled aftertaste that s framed by wellsculpted ripe plush tannin. In 1998 this winemaker and Shiraz from Katnook won Australia s most prestigious trophy, the Jimmy Watson. Tasting Panel, National Liquor News (Australia), July 2009 This wine has a good colour and is perfumed with spicy oak. It is elegant and balanced, and was noted to be in a more Bordeaux style. Lester Jesberg, Winewise, 1March 2009 An attractive spicy and cedary red with a whiff of black pepper which is a definite enhancement. Wine Business Monthly (Australia), August 2008 92 points The finely structured, spicy elegance of Coonawarra Shiraz makes it worthy of more attention than it tends to receive. Katnook s latest vintage fills the slot better than ever, with its fine, tighlty structured tannins and impressive line and length. All it needs is time to integrate and soften. 92 points. Mx Melbourne (Australia), 13 June 2008 Kat got your tongue? You should be so lucky even if you do have to pay for the pleasure. This is Katnook Estate s fifth vintage and one of its best, courtesy of some ideal grape growing weather. This is shiraz as it should be: rich, robust, with a fruity finish. David Ellis, Weekly Wine Column (Australia), 14 April 2008 Katnook Estate s 2005 Estate Shiraz has had time to develop huge fruit on the palate coupled with sweet vanillin and light cedary oak tones; a remarkable celebratory wine at $40 with thick sliced leg ham and the works.
Gary Walsh, Winorama (Australia), 21 January 2008 An oaky nose of resin, mint and mocha over fresh blackberry and raspberry with a shake of pepper. Attractive if not oak driven. On the palate medium bodied with juicy berry fruit, aniseed, dark chocolate, dried mint and black olive flavours. Mark Smith, Sunday Examiner (Australia), 20 January 2008 Shiraz can provide makers with something of a challenge in Coonawarra. In cool years, it struggles to achieve ripeness, and its wines can seem a little lean and dry alongside warm climate competitors. In seasons like 2005, however, the variety is capable of producing some of the region s best wines. This release is spot on, with good colour and aroma, and a nice juicy palate that s untroubled by high alcohol.