First off, love the pewter label. Secondly, it's a screw top. Dark ruby-garnet in colour with high intensity. Beautiful complex nose showing cedar, plums, briar pie, menthol, white & back pepper, turmeric & dark cherry. The first thing you notice is the heat from the alcohol, followed by the mouth feel that this isn't a bold & big wine, more medium to full, then the fruits show up followed by the menthol & lastly other notes such as dark chocolate, anise & Macintosh apples. The length is very long, I stopped timing at 2 minutes & I was still tasting it. The wine has good acidy with medium+ tannins, balanced & it's drinkable now or will cellar for another 5 yrs. WS rated this 91 & I concur. If it wasn't for the high alcohol thats very up front I would rate this a 95. Try This with tenderloin steak on the BBQ.

Tasted 20 July 2011.

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 8/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

ACJ are the initials of Alexander Campbell Johnson, the founder of Pirramimma. A beautifully balanced albeit very big wine. Notes of currants blackberries, and cassis. Smooooth and soft on the palate with more cassis, chocolate, and just a hint of pepper on the finish. Wonderful to taste and worth the premium price. (northof9finewine, March 2011)