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Marius 2004 Simpatico Reviews

Campbell Mattinson of Winefront:

Marius McLaren Vale Simpatico Shiraz 2004 ($25) screwcap:

Roger Pike at Marius has set a new course for the label - and it's not just that he's had it redesigned.  He's now producing two shiraz wines, one with a bit of new French oak married to it and the other using a combination of French and American - though none of it new. It's not an economy drive - quite the opposite. It's about giving the fruit he grows the best chance to shine in the bottle. And the one thing you can say about Roger Pike - he grows good fruit. Both his 2004s are very strong. The Simpatico (it hasn't seen any new oak) is all leathered, fresh, black and red berries, the quality of it deceptive: it jumps from the glass all fruity and fun, but then drinks soundly and well all the way to the bottom of the bottle. It's the perfect drink now, or drink later, little number. This is a very honest, pure McLaren Vale wine. Drink: 2006-2010. 91 points.

Huon Hooke - "Uncorked" - Sunday Life magazine:

Marius Simpatico McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004, $25 - ¬¬¬¬

A new McLaren Vale player has produced this big, solid, slightly gumleafy wine with firm tannins.  The nose is slightly sweaty/reductive and the firm, taut palate needs time to soften and mellow.  Lots of flavour here.  Drink 2008 to 2016

 Gary Walsh of Winorama: 

Marius 2004 Simpatico Shiraz ($25):

 The Simpatico is from the 4 acre Marius Vineyard in the McLaren Vale. It is aged in French and American oak hogsheads. Due for release in May 2006.  Quite fragrant with aromas of redcurrant/berry and red cherry. A red smelling wine. It is also spicy and slightly earthy with licorice, new shoe leather and some vanilla oak. Medium to full bodied with red fruit, spice and tobacco/earth and vanilla flavours. Quite fresh and vibrant. Attractive grainy tannins and a savoury finish that goes on a fair while. This bottle also looked great after being open for four days. Highly drinkable and offering an excellent mix of freshness and savoury complexity you can’t go too far wrong at only $25 a pop.  Rated : 93 Points.  Drink : 2006 - 2011

Max Allen – Weekend Australian – 17^th June 2006

In 2004, two shirazes were made from Roger Pike’s Marius vineyard in McLaren Vale: this one and a $35 bottling called Symphony.  Call me a cheapskate, but I prefer the Simpatico: rich and opulent, juicy black fruit floods the mouth, leading to a warm finish, with lingering dry, powdery tannins. 

The Penguin Good Australian WINE GUIDE 2007 - Ralph Kyte-Powell & Huon Hooke

Marius Simpatico Single Vineyard McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004:

The colour is nice and deep, the nose is very ripe and rich, with plenty of oak and a hint of sweatiness.  The taste is excellent: full-bodied, powerful and tightly packed with rich fruit, some eucalyptus touches and a firm tannin/acid finish.  It could be cellared, but right now it goes well with rare steak.      Points: 90    Value: ¬¬¬¬

Winestate September/October 2006 Issue:

Marius Simpatico Single Vineyard McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004:

A peppery, cool-climate style.  Attractive solid blackberry and blackcurrant fruit in silky-smooth balance with the oak and fine-grained tannins.   $25   ¬¬¬¬

Ric Einstein of Torbwine:

Marius 2004 Simpatico Shiraz sells for $25 and is sealed with a screwcap. The bouquet shows lifted aromatics with earthy, mushroom notes. A muscular-weight, firm but supple wine that already is showing a harmonious nature; the construction is excellent and well backed by abundant, dusty tannins, fresh acid and deep, pure fruit. Plum, chocolate, a hint of cedar and herbs go for a long surf down the palate and linger well. A lovely wine; it's easy to knock back now, but will improve and should peak around 2010; rated as Highly Recommended with **** for value.

Sally Gudgeon and Ralph Kyte-Powell - "Uncorked" - Sunday Life magazine:

Marius Simpatico Shiraz 2004, $26    ¬¬¬¬

A single-vineyard McLaren Vale shiraz, this wine shows syrupy black-fruit character, along with suggestions of beef stock, vanilla and dark chocolate.  It's full of flavour, with a seamless feel in the mouth and soft, ripe tannins in support.  Drink now to 2014.