The Willows Vineyard
            Reviews

WHAT THE MEDIA SAY

2002 The Willows Vineyard Shiraz 2002
THE WINE ADVOCATE Oct 2005 Robert Parker
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

2002 The Willows Vineyard BONESETTER Shiraz
THE WINE ADVOCATE Oct 2005 Robert Parker
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

2005 The Willows 2005 Riesling
BAROSSA LIVING Feb 2006
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!

2002 The Willows Shiraz
GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE Dec/Jan 2006
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 ****

2002 The Willows Vineyard Bonesetter Shiraz
JAMES HALLIDAY AUST WINE COMPANION 2007 Edition
Outstanding focus,intensity and balance;smooth,supple,velvety black fruits;seamless French Oak and fine-grained tannins.Great vintage,great wine.Quality cork

2002 The Willows Cabernet Sauvignon
OZ CLARKE`S WINE BUYING GUIDE 2007 TOP 20
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.

2002 The Willows Shiraz
OZ CLARKE`S WINE BUYING GUIDE 2007 TOP 20
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!

2002 The Willows Semillon
OZ CLARKE`S WINE BUYING GUIDE 2007 TOP 20
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!

2002 The Willow Semillon
MATTHEW JUKES Best aust Wines 2005
Blood and guts Semillon,which wears its heart on its sleeve! Admire this wine for its lemon balm and lanolin bravado.

2003 The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz
ROBERT PARKER/The wine Advocate Oct 2006
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.

2003 Willows Shiraz
ROBERT PARKER/The Wine Advocate Oct 2006
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.

2003 The Willows Semillon
TONY LOVE The Advertiser April 2007
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.

2003 The Willows Semillon
ROBERT PARKER/ The Wine Advocate Oct 2006
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.

2003 The Willows Semillon
THE ADVERTISER TOP 100 Wines
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.

2003 The Willows Shiraz
INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE
London June 2007
Gold Medal

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. Cork  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

2004The 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 it`s 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 ameraican market, but still rich and full enough.
Paddy Kendler/ Herald Sun Nov 2007