Reviews

WHAT THE MEDIA SAY

2002 The Willows Vineyard Shiraz

A Big, explosively rich wine offering an inky/ruby purple colour, loads of charcoal-infused cassis flavours, lush, concentrated opulence, abundant fruit and surprisingly moderate alcohol (14%) for such a flavourful rich, Barossa Shiraz. It should drink well for a decade.93 POINTS
THE WINE ADVOCATE Oct 2005 Robert Parker

2002 The Willows Vineyard BONESETTER Shiraz

The Bonesetter boasts extraordinary intensity,opulence and flavour dimensions. This Classic, full-throttle Barossa Shiraz is dominated by black fruits, smoke, barbeque spice, licorice and acacia flower characteristics. More elegant and well balanced than many in the anti-australian wine crowd might acknowledge.This beauty should drink well for 10-12 years. 94 Points
THE WINE ADVOCATE Oct 2005 Robert Parker

2005 The Willows 2005 Riesling

BEST BAROSSA!
A different style to the Eden Valley wines-a lot drier with texture and a real zing in the palate. Best of the Barossa lot! A bloody good buy!
BAROSSA LIVING Feb 2006

2002 The Willows Shiraz

Starting to show some positive age development, this has a peppermint nose, while the palate is fresh and invigorating,with some minty berry flavours and tannin firmness.
4 **** GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE Dec/Jan 2006

2002 The Willows Vineyard Bonesetter Shiraz

Outstanding focus,intensity and balance;smooth,supple,velvety black fruits;seamless French Oak and fine-grained tannins.Great vintage,great wine.Quality cork
JAMES HALLIDAY AUST WINE COMPANION 2007 Edition

2002 The Willows Cabernet Sauvignon

Sometimes it`s the Shiraz, sometimes it`s the Semillon but the Willows always delivers fabulous flavours. My notes talk about soaring scents, unashamed, irresistible-hey, hang on. What does this nectar really taste like? Soaring blackcurrant, fabulously ripe but refreshingly dry and backed up by black morello cherries, peppermint and eucalyptus scent.
OZ CLARKE`S WINE BUYING GUIDE 2007 TOP 20

2002 The Willows Shiraz

There`s nothing difficult to understand about this Shiraz. It`s just a great big beautiful brawny beast, dripping with ladelsful of chocolate sauce and toffee cream, plum syrup, vanilla and a bright flicker of mint. But there`s also a savoury streak like beef tea running through the wine and some appetizing bitterness. It all makes for a smashing glassful!
OZ CLARKE`S WINE BUYING GUIDE 2007 TOP 20

2002 The Willows Semillon

Wild Wine! This is not your typical Aussie Semillon. Given that the Willows are experts at stonking great hedonistic reds, I suppose that I should expect them to go slightly mad on the whites. Well here goes! They`ve squeezed all the available character out of these grape skins-the lime zest really rips into your tonsils, the acid of Vicks prickles your nostrils, while the lick of honey, the quince syrup and the scented leather try to calm your hyperactive palate!
OZ CLARKE`S WINE BUYING GUIDE 2007 TOP 20

2002 The Willow Semillon

Blood and guts Semillon, which wears its heart on its sleeve! Admire this wine for its lemon balm and lanolin bravado.
MATTHEW JUKES Best AUSTRALIAN Wines 2005

2003 The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz 94 points

The 2003 Bonesetter is a bigger, more structured effort than the regular Shiraz, with an intense black/purple colour, a full-bodied bouquet of blackberries, cassis, smoked herbs and roasted meats and a reasonably powerful (14% alcohol) rich, multilayered personality. While this Shiraz will not mend any broken bones, it will relax the spirit, and please both the palate and the intellect.
ROBERT PARKER/The wine Advocate Oct 2006

2003 Willows Shiraz 92 points

The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2003 Shiraz, which comes from 9-34 yr old vines, offers up aromas of white chocolate, blackberries, cassis and licorice. Peppery, full-bodied, dense, fruit forward as well as front end loaded, this is meant to be consumed over the next 4-5 years.
ROBERT PARKER/The Wine Advocate Oct 2006

2003 The Willows Semillon

This Big, bountiful Semi has a whole lot of character to start, with oaky butters and honey, sawdust and wood smoke evident. The cut-lemon acid happens next for a spicy mouthful of smart, white pleasure.

TONY LOVE The Advertiser April 2007

2003 The Willows Semillon

A high class, 100% Semillon from remarkably old (70 years) vines, the 2003 Semillon exhibits a crisp, elegant style displaying hints of lemon blossom, mint, orange rind and marmalade. Rich, full bodied and light on its feet (12% alcohol), it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 2-4 years.

ROBERT PARKER/ The Wine Advocate Oct 2006

2003 The Willows Semillon

Three years of age are showing some smoky senses and a touch of spice as the lemon sour acids still power on. If you catch some marmalade on toast, even breakfast brioche, then you`re on the right track. "

THE ADVERTISER TOP 100 Wines

2003 The Willows Shiraz

Gold Medal

INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE London June 2007

2003 The Willows Vineyard Shiraz 2003

No 1 Top Australian shiraz *****
The epitome of complex, substantial Barossa Valley Shiraz, this is richly aromatic and deeply flavoured with luscious blackberry-jammy qualities and a measured lick of smoky oak cooperating in lovely harmony. A luxurious wine of warmth and generosity.

Cuisine Magazine

2004 The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz 96 points

Although the alcohol is the same as the Barossa Valley Shiraz, this wine has another dimension of richness to the strong blackberry and plum fruit, silky, persistent tannins, the oak in admirable restraint. From the oldest vines. Drink through 2021

James Halliday Aust Wine Companion 2008

2004 Single vineyard The Willows Semillon 90 points

A good wine, almost in the Adelaide Hills Style: the percentage barrel-fermented in French oak is not obvious, and the acidity gives both length and freshness; unexpectedly successful/ Drink through 2012

James Halliday Aust Wine Companion 2008

2003 The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz 93 points

A rich amalgam of licorice, leather, blackberry and plum fruit; fine tannins; mocha and vanilla oak. Drink through 2015

James Halliday Aust wine Companion 2008

2004 The Willows Shiraz 94 points

Fine and elegant by normal Barossa Valley standards; blackberry, plum and black cherry are supported by fine tannins and quality oak. Drink through 2024

James Halliday aust Wine Companion 2008

2003 The Willows Shiraz 94 points

Youthful hue, notwithstanding the vintage; a fresh array of red and black fruits; fine tannins and judicious oak; great outcome for the year! Drink through 2018

2004 The Willows Shiraz 90 points

The 2004 is sourced from estate vineyards planted in 1969, 1990 and 1994. Aged for two years in American and French Oak. Purple coloured, it exhibits a toasty, smoky, plum and blackberry scented bouquet. This is followed by a medium to full bodied succulent wine with layered blue and black fruits, excellent balance and well hidden tannins. This lengthy shiraz will evolve for several years in the bottle and drink well through 2020.

Robert Parker/ The Wine advocate Oct 2007

2004 The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz 92 points

The 2004 Bonesetter comes from a 35 year old parcel and was aged for 2 years in French Oak. Saturated purple in colour, it is more tightly wound and structured than the `regular` shiraz. It offers intense aromas and flavours of violets, spice box, blueberry liqueur,excellent balance and a 60 sec pure finish! Give it 6-8 years in the cellar and drink through 2024

Robert Parker/ The Wine Advocate Oct 2007

2004 The Willows Shiraz 5/5 unbeatable!

The Scholz family at the Willows bring generations of experience and expertise to every bottle. There is no better example of its enduring excellence than the 04 Shiraz. Gorgeous ripe blackberry and plum fruit flavour, sensitive oak treatment, fine tannins and long finish. Certainly not one of those awful turbo charged monsters made for the american market, but still rich and full enough.

Paddy Kendler/ Herald Sun Nov 2007

2005 The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz 2005

Less eucalypt than some years-there are redgums everywhere-it`s rather more sullen, with a very deep, glowering abyss of mint, fennel and licorice, gradually surrendering to still, silky blackberry and beetroot. It`s powerful, mighty wine that sits on your palate with all the confidence of something that`s got absolutely nothing to prove. Fifteen years, cork willing 93+++

Philip White The Independent Weekly Nov 14 2008

2005 The Willows Vineyard 2005 Shiraz

Classic Hit!
Put some `howlin wolf `on the turntable (what do you mean you threw it out years ago?), and turn that blues up loud! Deep, deep purple in colour, this is big `n` bold, with chewy flavours like a thick strap of licorice.

Wine Max Allen The Weekend Australian Dec 2008

2005 The Willows Vineyard Shiraz 2005

Syrupy mixed berry, chocolate and sweet oak aromas introduce this hearty Barossa Shiraz. It`s very ripe and fairly powerful, but not as warm and fumey as its high alcohol might suggest. The generous, full palate has tons of flavour, good balance and depth, with ripe tannins carrying a lingering finish.****

Epicure THE AGE Dec 2008 Ralph Kyte-Powell

2005 The Willows Vineyard Shiraz 2005

Here`s a typical Barossa Shiraz of high quality. With luxurious, mocha/chocolate, black-olive and blackberry flavours, it`s dense, chewy and packed with flavor. There`s a slight alcohol kick in the tail, but it will delight many!

100 TOP NEW RELEASES Gourmet Traveller Wine Feb/March 2009

2005 The Willows Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Wafts of Eucalypt betray the willows Cabernets. The North Para runs through the massive redgums of the vineyard; an occasional river that even occasionally floods the whole joint with volatile eucalyptus leaves and suddenly the wines smell like they came from Avoca. This one`s thick with sugared blackberry fruit gels and licorice rings as much as dark Barossa chocolate, and a good dollop of Ribena, then there`s a touch of the classic cabernet stretch before the dry terra rossa tannins sort out the finish. All of which adds up to a wine that will grow plump and lush and lovelier.

Feb 20/2009 Philip White THE INDEPENDENT WEEKLY

2006 the Willows Vineyard Semillon