94
Josh Raynolds - Vinous Media
"Inky ruby. Wild, spice-driven scents of cassis, dark cherry, violet, black olive and violet, with a strong undertone of smoky minerality; smells like an Hermitage from a ripe vintage. Deep, sappy and precise, offering energetic dark berry and candied floral flavors and mounting spiciness. Gains flesh and weight with air and finishes with excellent clarity and an echo of sweet dark fruits."
-- Josh Raynolds
93 Jay Miller - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The 2007 Syrah Brookman features violets, blueberry compote, and blackberry liqueur-like aromas leading to a dense, flavorful, rich Syrah with plenty of underlying tannin. All components are well-integrated but this is a backward effort that will require extended cellaring the winery suggests a drinking window of 2017 to 2040. In a sign of the times, pricing for Roman Bratasiuk’s Clarendon Hills portfolio has been reduced by close to 50% across the board. Suddenly, most of the wines offer an excellent price to quality relationship. As usual, the Clarendon Hills wines are unblended, 100% varietal, sourced from mostly old-vine, ungrafted, single vineyards, fermented naturally, and bottled without fining or filtration. Only seasoned oak is used for the Grenache bottlings, 100% new French oak for the Merlot and Cabernets, and 50-100% new French oak for the Syrahs depending upon the cuvee. There is a new addition to the portfolio, a Mourvedre sourced from 12 year old vines and aged in 2 year old French oak. The year 2007 was more difficult than the three that preceded it, marked by a 45-50% reduction in crop levels and elevated tannin from the resulting thick skins. As Bratasiuk notes, “Tight, drying tannin is the hallmark of the vintage.” Nevertheless, this is an impressive collection from one of Australia’s icon wineries."
93 Wine Spectator
"This ripe and generous red boasts a powerful mouthful of plum, currant and dusky spice flavors, turning smoky and meaty as the finish lingers impressively against crisp tannins. Drink now through 2017. 570 cases made." –HS
92 Wine Enthusiast
The drought intensity of the 2007 vintage has left a strong mark on Roman Bratasiuk's entire lineup. The 2007 Brookman shows great intensity and powerful tar, blueberry, coffee and black olive aromas and flavors. Given this wine's concentration, it should last through 2020, perhaps longer.
90 Wine & Spirits
"2007 Clarendon Brookman Syrah A rich, black wine, this has some fruit-skin freshness to the flavor. An herbal spice hints at acidity underneath the wine's syrupy weight and dark tannin. Give this a few years of age, then serve with braised beef cheeks."
E & J Gallo, Modesto, CA
Colour: Blackened crimson.
Nose: Incredibly staggering presentation of rich roasted meats, roasted coffee beans, tapenade, cigar tobacco and black currant liqueur. The facade appears polished and cream-like smooth. Low and seductive it appears to need time to emerge from its shell.
Palate: A panoramic 16:9 aspect tantalizes the entire palate with a frighteningly realistic rendition of fresh blueberries and cream. However, savoury complexities actually dominate the palate experience and increase in intensity to a sublime peak then slowly fade. This demonstrated restraint of power highlights the 2012 vintage caliber. Of its Hickinbotham and Onkaparinga Syrah sisters it is the most refined.