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Reviews
“There are plenty of important words on the front and back labels of this wine worth delving into for a better understanding of its worth. “Monopole” noting its exclusivity to the producer. “Mother Vine” referring to its provenance, buds selected “from one ancient Shiraz vine planted in 1853” within the Old Garden Vineyard at Rowland Flat in the Barossa Valley’s mid-south, replanted over years into a single vineyard of its own origins in the Dorrien district between Tanunda and Nuriootpa. With that background, the wine brings its history into the glass with a delightful dark red rose floral note, entwined into its crimson to black fruit crush bouquet made more complex with deeper layers of old leather and heritage library smells. Sit right there and take it all in for as long as you desire - it’s so evocative. What awaits next is a fully captured essence of great Barossa Shiraz: dark fruits, plum compote, high percentage cacao with a subtle edge of bitterness. All of it a great celebration of wine in its finest form of story and gastronomic achievement. 97 Points." - Tony Love, Wine Pilot
“It's wonderfully expressed on the nose, showing blackberry, star anise, tapenade, vanilla, and cedar characters. The palate is equally impressive with terrific concentration and an expansive mouthfeel, complemented by loads of polished tannins, finishing superbly long and gratifying. 97 Points." - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
“The team located a single Shiraz vine from 1853 in the middle of their Old Garden Vineyard. Over many years, this was used to establish the Monopole Vineyard. 2022 was an excellent vintage, although a low yielding one. The team used 50% whole bunches in the fermentation and maturation was in a mix of new and older French oak barriques for a year and a half. Bottled under cork. Inky black maroon in colour, there is toasty oak still evident, with hints of vanilla, all still in the process of integration. The nose reveals an appealingly ripe style with notes of chocolate, mocha, coffee beans and blackberries. Big, bold, ripe and gorgeous, the wine is seductively textured with excellent balance and a fine line of acidity through to the silky, almost ethereal tannins. Enjoy this over the next twelve to fifteen years. Wow! 96 Points." - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
"The mother vine is one of the oldest shiraz vines in Australia, planted in 1853. Buds taken help to create genetically identical vines which are the basis of this impressive shiraz. A deeply complex wine highlighting lively purple florals in violet married to dark plum and blackberry fruits and flowing in sage, fennel seed herb notes with espresso, cigar box notes and earth. Layered and balanced nicely, the winemaker lets the lifted florals and aromatics play and seduce the palate. Draws long and fine through to the finish, bringing an effortless beauty to the glass, shaped in fine tannins. 96 Points." - Jeni Port, Wine Pilot
"Deeply opaque in the glass. Primary, raw, youthful and muscular. Fruitcake spice, hints of oak sweetness, cola nut, plum conserve, gun shot, powder puff, grated cooking chocolate and vanilla bean paste. Concentrated, broad and intense. Black pepper spice over fruitcake richness, gravelly tannin and inky depth. Flavour persistence through the long tail. A little hedonistic, but the brawn maintains structure and balance. 94 Points." - Regan Drew, Wine Pilot
"Deep crimson. Elderberry, dark cherry liqueur, dark plum aromas with mocha notes. Generous and inky deep with youthful dark berry fruits, slinky textures and well-balanced mocha, hint ginger notes. Firms up at the finish with chinotto/ star anise notes. Sleek and modern wine. 94 Points." - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
"A lively, focused, layered and precise shiraz showing aromas of dark cherries, dark plums, roasted meat, plums and black pepper. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Inky character on the pristine palate, with a crunchy, succulent and pulpy development. In control, with a polished texture and plenty of verve and pepper toward the long, linear finish. Drink or hold. 93 Points." - Jamessuckling.com
"Colossal, dense, dark colour, with a sweetly super-ripe aroma that borders on jammy. Some pea-pod vegetal notes as well, and melted chocolate. The palate is weighty and fleshy, dense and savoury and very drying. A massive wine which is just a wee bit clumsy. Some serious cellar time is recommended, and that could bring it into order. 93 Points." - Huon Hooke, The Real Review
"Bold and dense Shiraz, from the single sited Monopole vineyard, that is deeply coloured and big shouldered. There is finesse with structure, sweet vanilla oak and chewy tannins. Fruit is ripe, reminiscent of mulberry pie yet finishing dry, cutting through the power. Not blousy but big with the 13.5% carried well. I like how the chalky ripe tannins draw you in and travel the length of the palate – some power and velvet but well managed. 92 Points." - Annette Lacey MW, Wine Pilot