Robert Parker 99 points!
Jeremy Oliver 97 points!
Campbell Mattinson 96 points!
Robert Parker 99 points!'David Powell's most expensive red wine is undoubtedly the 1998 Run Rig. However, it is not out of line with what wines of similar quality sell for throughout the world, unfortunately a reality. There are nearly 600 cases of the 1998 Run Rig, which is made from vines averaging between 50 and 130 years of age. It is a blend of 97% Shiraz and 3% Viognier, aged completely in French oak for approximately 18 months prior to bottling. The 1998 may well be the most concentrated Run Rig to date. The color is an opaque purple, and the bouquet offers an exotic concoction of tropical fruit, blackberry liqueur, creme de cassis, smoke, and honeysuckle notes. Once past the exhilarating fragrance, the wine is sumptuous and full-bodied, with a skyscraper-like profile of fabulous concentration and length that builds in the mouth. The black fruits galore scenario unfolds to reveal beautifully integrated wood, acidity, tannin, and alcohol (a mere 14.5%). The balance is virtually perfect, and the finish lasts for nearly a minute. This luxurious, compelling gem displays a level of complexity and delineation that is rare in a wine of such size. Anticipated maturity: now-2016. This wine not only makes for compelling drinking, but it is also a huge amount of fun, and isn't that what it's all about? If I had to give an award to Australia's finest winemaker in 2001, it would be hard not to consider David Powell.'
Wine Advocate #135 (Jun 2001) Robert Parker
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Jeremy Oliver 97 points!'Lifted by just a hint of the wild, spicy lemon blossom aromas of viognier, this exceptional wine has a penetrative perfume of concentrated small berry fruit, dark plums and perfectly balanced cedary vanilla French oak. It's long and creamy, packed with pure dark fruit flavours, regularly punctuated by savoury charcuterie influences, and superbly married with fine tannins. Drink 2010-2018+.'
Jeremy Oliver, OnWine.
'It's in a backward, reticent phase but the components are in excellent shape. Powerful, grunty, coffeed flavour, tugboats of tannin, a sweet blackberried force through the mid-palate and lots of long, leathery, smoky length. Its true charms are still bound by tannin, but this is top drawer Run Rig.'
Campbell Mattinson, WineFront.
Country:
Australia
Region:
SA- Barossa Valley
Variety:
Wine Red - Shiraz
Size:
750mL
