The Auswine Forum

I picked this big Rutherglen red for a tasting mainly for the stated 17% alcohol, which is pretty extreme in anyone’s books.

Inky dark purple-red in colour. Full dark blackberry with pepper aromas. The palate is big black and ripe, but not jammy, with full fruit characters. Full on oak to balance the fruit, rich back palate and a really long finish. The alcohol is there however it’s in balance with the big fruit and big oak.

This wine of great substance of every character. It won’t suit everyone, but it is nevertheless impressive. Estimating cellaring is a challenge, give that alcohol is a preservative. It will certainly last a while.

Murray,

The Parola's Durif 2002 is even better than the Reserve. Warrabilla are about the best exponent of the huge red style I've seen at present, the wines are massive, yet approachable on release (well, not for everyone I guess). I don't know how they will age yet, but there are some other high a/v Rutherglen reds that age pretty well.

Pretty well all their 2002 reds are good, the Cabernet makes an interesting change from the Coonawarra, Yarra or MR styles.

G'day Murray (you probably know me as ray2hill from sold.com.au, sadly in its death throes) and Brian - indeed, the Warrabilla 2002's are something else, the W. Parola's Limited Release Durif (at 17.5%, by gum by golly) from my tasting note of July -
"...this is one of the biggest wines I've ever had - took too much into my mouth on the first gulp, spluttered & coughed, kicks like a mule, but the alcholohol is not disjointed or in your face. Stained the glass & decanter red - my teeth went dark grey - very substantial tannins, but overall a beauty, with prune/licorice/spice/dark berry flavours - can see why the Warrabilla owners drink them young! Next day, not the slightest difference.