Nick Stock - SMH and The Age Good Wine Guide 2013
95 points
"This is a very elegant, red-fruited style that shows a pretty darn astute take on this noble marriage of Barossa terroir and the wily and ancient mataro grape. The colour’s a neat red–purple hue and the aromas are very much in the bright-red spectrum – some boysenberry, red plum, raspberry leaf – with sweet, fine, hard spices and hints of sweet mountain herbs. The palate delivers bright plum and red cherry flavour; plenty of oak spice chimes in here, as does cedary flavour and gently drying oak tannin. It’s a well-struck wine, very fresh, even and youthful, with plenty to come over the next few years. Great knock, Caillard!"
Ralph Kyte-Powell - The Age, Epicure – Uncorked, 23 Oct 2012
95 points
"Some old-vine mataro (mourvedre) reds from South Australia are big, tough, macho wines, but Caillard’s version is much more refined. The nose is concentrated, yet it is far from overwhelming, with a lovely, savoury melange on the nose of spice, currants, black fruit and tar. Middling in body, it has attractive balance and an appealing texture that travels easily across the palate. There’s a tart touch to the fruit and the tannins are in perfect equilibrium. An admirable wine that highlights an unsung grape variety very well."
Garry Walsh - The Wine Front, 5 Sep 2010
95 points
"An aromatic and perfectly poised Mataro – violet, leather, blue fruit, spice and dark chocolate the main flavour players – pretty and masculine at once. Medium weight with ripe unobtrusive tannin lending just the right amount of gentle textural interest, though they plume on the finish in a most delightful way. Balanced acidity. Flow and charm. Delicious wine unburdened by excessive oak, alcohol or extract. Think I got the score right."
Rob Geddes MW - Australian Wine Vintages “The Gold Book”, Edition 2014
“Varietal meaty/earthy notes to red fruit and spice aromas. Drinking well on release with good length of fresh ripe red fruit and grippy tannin texture. All vintages are united by freshness and length of fruit in common. Gaining authority with each year we have added an extra star to its firmament."
James Halliday - Wine Companion, Dec 2012/Jan 2013
94 points ★★★★★
"Youthful, light crimson-purple; the promise of the colour is delivered on the juicy, red-berried flavours of the palate, that of the reputation of the variety in the savoury tannins on the finish – tannins that have exemplary balance."
