2005
Henry’s Drive
Pillar Box Red
53%Shiraz– 35% Cabernet Sauvignon – 12% Merlot
Padthaway
$17.40
CSPC# 685941
(
February 2, 2008 Vintages Release
NOTE: This wine is Number 27 on the Wine.com 100 of 2007!
Robert Parker (US)
Issue: October 2006 – The Wine Advocate
91 pts
“There are 70,000 cases of the 2005 Red, a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot from young vines. However, this is no wimpy wine at 15% alcohol. An unbelievable value, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as an uplifted, projected nose of sweet red and black fruits, earth, and spice box. Supple-textured with a voluptuous mouthfeel and unbelievable richness, this wine clearly over-delivers. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years.”
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Stephen Tanzer (US)
Issue: 2007
85 pts
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James Halliday (AUS)
Issue: 2007 Australian Wine Companion
90 pts
“Strong colour; medium- to full-bodied; luscious black fruits with a dusting of dark chocolate and earth; good control of extract.”
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Nicks Wine (AUS) – Melbourne Wine Distributor
Issue: August 24, 2006
90 pts 4 ½ stars (out of 5)HOT
“An inexpensive red with some cellaring potential made with the consultation of Chris Ringland of Three Rivers fame. This is the new ‘fighting brand’ for Henry’s Drive. Last years release sold out quickly, and that is hardly surprising given that Robert Parker described the wine as “Fabulous value…one of the great wine bargains of the world.” The 2005 release delivers the same loaded primary fruit flavour profile.
TASTING NOTE: Opaque black purple colour with black purple hue. Aroma of black pepper and blackberry deliver a perfumed primary fruit lift. The palate is ‘joosy’ with fine grained, dry but balanced tannins. Aftertaste of plum, spice and a touch of chocolate. Fine dry tannins persist. Cellar 3-4 years (2009-2010) Alc/Vol: 15%.”
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The Wine Buyer (US)
Issue: July 7, 2006
90 pts
“This little beauty comes to us again from Henry’s Drive Vignerons and winemaker Chris Ringland. Ringland now makes wines under his own label in tiny quantities to much acclaim. He is also responsible for the Rockford Vineyards winemaking and consults to several other wineries in Australia (RBJ and Rockford) and Spain (Bodegas Alto Moncayo and Bodegas El Nido). The most amazing thing about this wine is the quality for the price. Very seldom will you taste a wine so rich and full of flavor for so little. By the way a Pillar Box is a British mailbox that is bright red and in the shape of a pillar...the bright red color has become known as pillar box red. Tasted over two evenings with vacuvining in between because it seemed a bit closed at first and I didn’t have time to give it a proper airing out. It did improve quite a bit with sitting over night so I would suggest a bit of air before you drink it. This might change as it gets a little more bottle age.
TASTING NOTE: Pillar Box Red 2005 - Very dark color with lovely aromas of plums and blackberries. The very expressive and fruit forward flavors feature blackberry, blueberry and espresso with a juicy medium length finish. Score: 90.”
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Gary Vaynerchuk (US)
Issue: Wine Library
89-90 pts
“#1; COLOR-huge, ridiculous, dark purple; NOSE-really vibrant, lot of black licorice, black cherry, chocolate covered strawberries, TASTE-Wow, that is a BIG wine, loaded w/ black pepper, little raspberry and crème de cassis, MASSIVE black cherry, really long finish, enjoy the vanilla on the mid-palate to the finish, structure quite profound for an $8 bottle, SCREAMING value, New World fruit bomb; RP-91; GV-89/90.”
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Jerry Hall (US)
Issue: August 2, 2006– winewaves
RecommendedExcellent Value
“The second vintage of Pillar Box Red tastes like another hit. Like the first vintage (2004), there is a plethora of fruit, but the 2005 seems to be a bit more “built”. Pillar Box Red is a collaboration between Henry’s Drive winery of Padthaway, importer Dan Philips of Grateful Palate and Chris Ringland, consulting winemaker. The blend of Cabernet, Shiraz and Merlot receives some oak aging.
Tasting Notes: Color: Deep purple ruby translucent. Aromas: Blackberry, pomegranate, and smoky bacon. Medium-bodied on the tongue, there is a late-harvest sense of sweetness, giving way to a tart gravelly tannin. Abundant ripe red and black fruit flavors echo in the dry finish.
Closure: Screw cap. Excellent value.”
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Mike Supple (US)
Issue: December 2006 -J.J. Buckley Wines
Recommended
“Black core with a maroon tinged garnet rim. Bold fruit on the nose is surrounded by smoky coffee and toffee notes. Blackberries, sour red cherries blueberries, light cinnamon and green pepper round out the aromas. On the palate the wine is thick and viscous with bold white pepper and cinnamon spice.”
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Vintage Cellars (AUS)
Issue: Spring 2006
Recommended
“The much anticipated latest release edition of the Pillar Box Red phenomena is here. Demonstrating perhaps a clearer expression of its concentrated sweet fruit, it’s rich with real mulberry, cassis sweetness and dark chocolate. The 2004 was described last year by American wine critic Robert Parker Jnr as “… one of the great wine bargains of the world,” and we can’t see this vintage garnering any less enthusiasm.”
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Skurnick Wines (US)
Issue:
RecommendedIncredible Value
“Pillar Box red is an opaque red/black color with a scarlet rim. It displays aromas of sweet, ripe red berries underpinned cinnamon spice and dark chocolate. The palate is rich and fleshy with vibrant raspberry & blackcurrant fruit intertwined with a citrus like cedary oak complexity. The tannins are full yet soft and supple, combined with the gentle acidity to produce a lingering harmonious finish.
Named after the proprietor of the 19th century mail coach service which once ran through their property, the Longbottom family has created a new family tradition of winemaking with such Henry’s Drive, Parson’s Flat and now Pillar Box Red.
An INCREDIBLE value wine made by Chris Ringland.”
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Corkd (US)
Issue: blog review
3 stars (out of 5)
“This is one of those great wines that prove you don’t have to spend a boatload to get a great tasting wine. Great with just about any meal.”
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Jeff Hock (US)
Issue: wines by . com
Recommended
“Rich, dark, full red wine from Australia. Made from Cabernet, Shriaz, Merlot grapes. Food Suggestions: Pork tenderloin, fresh ham, beef carpaccio.”
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The Second Glass (US)
Issue: April 13, 2007
Recommended
“Bitchin wine, little cash... That’s how the Second Glass does it. Without further adieu, I give you the 2005 Pillar Box Red by Henry’s Drive. This is the second year this wine has been made. The ‘04 was awesome, but the ‘05 is, well, more awesomer. Weighing in with 15% alcohol, this Aussie is not lacking in the body department. The blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot offers up a chewy wine with intense strawberry and raspberry fruit with hints of cracked pepper. Don’t pass up the opportunity to have this bottle with a slice of pizza this marathon Monday.”
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Mark Fisher (US)
Issue: January 19, 2006 – Dayton Daily News
Recommended
“The Pillar Box Red gushes fruit, but stops short of being an over-the-top bomb. It has aromas of raspberries and blackberries that carry through to the flavors, which are concentrated and long. Not a complex wine, no oak shadings, no spicy or earthy components, just a purple teeth-stainer that delivers pure pleasure.”
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Blanchards Wines (US)
“Pillar Box Red is the newest creation from famed winemaker Chris Ringland. A Pillar Box is a free standing box where mail is deposited and collected by the Royal Mail, and this wine is named after the service which once ran through the property at Henry’s Drive. This blend of Cabernet, Shiraz and Merlot, has been touted as one of the best Aussie values to be found. The combination of deep, dark berry flavors and smooth texture offers a lush style that competes with wines two to three times the price. A great match with grilled meats, hearty pastas and strong cheeses.”
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Producer
Bronze, gold, green, and chocolate brown were all colours applied to pillar boxes. In fact, their livery mainly depending upon the personal choice of the district surveyorthat is, until 1874. When Pillar Box Red became the standard colour for the highlydecorated mail posting boxes.
The 2005 blend of Pillar Box Red shows the benefits of Shiraz dominance from astrong vintage for the variety. Plush ripe tannins take this wine to new and excitinglevels of richness, softness and opulence. The opaque red-black wine releases rich anddense aromas of dark red berries and hints of perfumed white stone fruit. Gentlesmoky vanillin aromas show evidence of the use of French and American oak. Richand generous in expression with a big, soft structured palate showing flavours ofblackberries and chocolate held in balance with bright acidity.
Consultant Winemaker: Chris Ringland
Blend Profile: 53% Shiraz, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon & 12% Merlot.
Yield: 3 tonne per acre
Alcohol/Volume: 15%
Oak profile: 85% French Oak & 15% American Oak
Terroir: The fruit for this Pillar Box Red is sourced exclusively from our family vineyards inPadthaway. These vines are grown in red loamy soil over limestone.”
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Resources
Merchandising sheet from producer
Merchandising sheet from US distributor
Shelftalker with Parker review
Price Comparison
BC Liquor charges $19.80 and has it as a “Best Buy” in the Winter 2007 ‘TASTE’ magazine -
Track Record
2006 vintage – 91 pts – Jay Miller of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
2004 vintage – 90 pts – Robert Parker
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