James Halliday Winery Rating   4 ½ Stars

Marius 2005 Simpatico Reviews

Gary Walsh (Winorama)       June 20^th 2007 

Marius Simpatico Shiraz 2005:

Aromas of fresh berries, cherry, chocolate, licorice, new leather and coffee. Bright and floral too. On the palate full bodied with blackberry, raspberry, chocolate, mineral and coffee flavours. The tannins here are outstanding with a backbone that is firm and fine grained and runs the length of the palate. There is a touch of warmth too but it’s offset by some clean fresh acidity. Excellent length of flavour. A wine with a degree of complexity and interest rarely found at this price point.   

Rated : 93 Points    Drink : 2008 - 2016

James Halliday - 2009 Australian Wine Companion:

Simpatico Single Vineyard McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005

Medium-bodied; flush with cherry, raspberry and redcurrant fruits and a sweet, silky texture to the fine tannins.     Rating 91 points    Drink to: 2012

Ric Einstein (Torb)     June 07 

Marius 2005 Simpatico Shiraz:

 
Sealed under screwcap, the wine is $25 a bottle direct from the winery and is expected to be released sometime in July. I had the chance to look at this wine over 24 hours, both with food and without food. The bouquet is restrained and tight but shows some floral notes, vanilla, milk chocolate, and hints of varnished oak. A well structured and balanced, muscular-weight wine that is solidly backed by fine, powdery, drying tannins, refreshing acid, and deep, strong fruit which produces a muscular, firm wine that is approachable now, but will improve with time. A black flavour profile that is not sweet, it's almost tart with blackberry, plum, black coffee, aniseed, dark chocolate flavours that finish with good persistence. It's tight and a bit short on the back palate now, but it will fill out in time. Rated as Highly Recommended with **** for value, the wine should reach its peak around 2011. It was a perfect match with a baguette laden with rare, peppered roast beef, tomato and hot English mustard. Another winner for Roger Pike, he is becoming one of the great value, consistent, boutique McLaren Vale winemakers.

The Wine Advocate     October 2007   

2005 Marius Shiraz Simpatico