BIG, BOLD: Penna Lane 2006 The Willsmore Reserve Shiraz

A big, bold blend, may have a touch of volatile acidity but it doesn't mar the wine, and perhaps adds extra interest. Shy chocolate, vanilla and herbal touches on the nose over rich, jammy plum fruit. Very fruit sweet and deep in the mouth. Cellar one to 10 years plus. 90 points. SEE CLIPPING

Huon Hooke, Gourmet Traveller WINE, August–September 2008

BALANCE & LENGTH: Penna Lane 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Surprising varietal expression; gooseberry and passionfruit offset with mineral and herb notes from the semillon; has balance and length. 92 points.

James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009

A MOST ENJOYABLE WINE: Penna Lane 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Fragrant varietal aromas with an attractive earthy complexity developing. Plump plum/black fruit flavours have substance and length. "A most enjoyable wine," said one judge. SEE CLIPPING

Peter Simic & panel, Winestate, August 2008

NIFTY STUFF: Penna Lane 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Dunno about the asparagus merntioned on the label but there's a fair whack of other fruit and veg going on. Nifty stuff. 8.7/10. SEE CLIPPING

Max Crus, Northern Star (Lismore) 12 July 2008

SEAMLESS: Penna Lane 2007 Rambling Rosé

Deep dark cherry red — sweet and uplifting — strawberries, raspberries and cherries — luscious and succulent fruit as well as invigorating on the palate. Rich ripe and smooth on the finish, this is seamless succulent rosé drinking with the red fruits doing all the talking. SEE CLIPPING

Paul Ippolito, The Five-Minute Wine Rush (www.paulippolito.com.au) 6 June 2008

VIBRANT: Penna Lane 2006 The Willsmore Reserve Shiraz

A brooding, powerful wine ... Intense blackberry and cassis fruit on the nose and palate, some background spiciness, upfront chocolate characters and silky smooth tannins. Drink with rare fillet steak or cellar for up to 15 years. SEE CLIPPING

Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong) 4 June 2008

BOTTLER: Penna Lane 2006 The Willsmore Shoraz

Here's a wine of fine structure that would be great with scallopine, rosemary and walnut marinated lamb fillets or braised venison shanks. It is inky purple in the glass and has blackcurrant and cigar box aromas. Profound cassis flavour glides onto the front of the palate and maraschino cherry, bitter chocolate and mocha coffee fruit characters meld with spicy oak on the middle palate. Velvet-smooth earthy tannins feature at the finish — SEE REVIEW. John also wrote a lengthy feature story on Penna Lane and The Willsmore — READ STORY.

John Lewis, The Herald Weekender (Newcastle) 28 May 2008

COMPLEX: Penna Lane 2006 The Willsmore Zinfandel

... a mix of super-sweet, raisiny, tarry, cakey fruit flavour combined with herbal, sappy, woody elements — and the mix is quite successful. There's a soft, low-level sense of tannin structure and quite a deal of welcome acidity. In all, it's a good, warm-harted, complex wine. Drink: 2008-2013. 90 points. SEE CLIPPING

Campbell Mattinson, www.winefront.com.au, 20 May 2008

PLUSH, PROFOUND, SATISFYING: Penna Lane 2005 Shiraz

This Clare Valley shiraz has lots of smoky, carred barrel characters from the liberal use of oak, then a big, chewy, concentrated palate with layers of flavour and ample smooth tannins. Plush, profound and satisfying, this is a wine with great depth. SEE CLIPPING

Huon Hooke, Gourmet Traveller WINE, April-May 2008

LOVELY, ELEGANT, REFRESHING WHITE: Penna Lane 2007 Riesling

... a lovely, elegant, refreshing white just perfect for drinking with Pad Thai. It is shiny light gold in the glass and has delicate citrus and lavender scents, Vibrant grapefruit flavour shows on the front of the palate and lime marmalade and croissant characters chime in on the middle palate. Fresh chalky acid features at the finish. SEE CLIPPING

John Lewis, The Herald Weekender (Newcastle) 19 April 2008

DREAMS TO DRINK TO

Rob Ingram meets two men who made a career change fantasy of becoming winemakers come true in South Australia. READ FULL STORY

Includes review of Penna Lane 2007 Riesling: In five short years, this signature wine from Penna Lane has established itself as a benchmark Clare riesling ... Delicious citrus and even guava flavours are impressively concentrated in true Clare riesling style, and the gentle-press, free-run treatment adds a fresh juicy appeal. A succulent riesling but not lacking in clean acidity.

Rob Ingram, Australian Country Style, April 2008

NICE DRINKING EDGE: Penna Lane 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Aromatic fruits — tropical and herbaceous, vibrant and intense — a touch of honeysuckle, along with a certain minerality, to give it a nice drinking edge. Well rounded, balanced and smooth with a long finish. SEE CLIPPING

Paul Ippolito, Cafe Society (Sydney) April 2008

JUICY RED: Penna Lane 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a nice, juicy red. It tastes of tar, blackcurrant and eucalypt, the flavours fresh and not over-burdened by oak. Its tannins are ripe and supple, and it rings clear and satisfying through the finish. It should be a lovely, mellow drink in three or four year's time. Drink: 2010-2013. 89 points. SEE CLIPPING

Campbell Mattinson, www.winefront.com.au, 20 February 2008

VALUE FOR MONEY, KEEP AN EYE ON PENNA

... a winery that is producing some really impressive wines at equally impressive prices ... a powerful cabernet and shiraz, a crisp, tight riesling and an equally impressive sauvignon blanc semillon blend. Prices are a bit either side of $20 which is very decent for wines of this consistency and quality. Buy it with confidence. SEE CLIPPING

Rick Allen, Manly Daily (Sydney) 8 February 2008

JUICY RED: Penna Lane 2005 Shiraz

... lovely concentrated dark berry, cherry and plum fruit on the nose and palate with some black olive and chocolate characters and fine, firm tannins on the finish ... Rating: 92. SEE CLIPPING

Mike Frost, The Courier Mail (Brisbane) 5 February 2008

FIVE STARS

James Halliday, one of the world's most respected wine critics, has given Penna Lane his maximum five-star rating. READ HIS COMMENTS

James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2008

IDEAL SUMMER DRINK: Penna Lane 2007 Rambling Rosé

I'm always on the look-out for a good Aussie rosé and I've found one ... The nose is awash with a myriad of sweet summer fruits and is very aromatic. The palate follows on from the nose and is lively with clean crisp acidity and a slightly sweet fruity finish with strong hints of clove. It would be an ideal summer drink with cold chicken. SEE CLIPPING

Jim McMahon, Education (Sydney) 3 December 2007

WINE OF THE WEEK: Penna Lane 2007 Riesling

This is a stunningly good Clare Valley riesling from a winery that has tended to fly under the radar. There's an aromatic, citrusy nose and a full-on bone-dry palate with lemon, lime and zingy tropical fruit flavours. Delicious. SEE CLIPPING

Winsor Dobbin, www.winsordobbin.com.au, December 2007

THE WINE LIST: Penna Lane 2007 Riesling

Riveting citrus/tropical fruit flavours and a sharp, dry finish underpin this first-rate Clare Valley white. It's a fantastic partner for seafood, as well as a flavour-enriching aperitif on a warm day. SEE CLIPPING

John Fordham, The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney) December 2007

JUST RIGHT TO DRINK NOW: Penna Lane 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

I really enjoy this wine. It is a good fresh wine and one which is so superbly matched with seafood. Its colour is just right, a pale straw, and the palate has been blessed with the fruits of the tropics. SEE CLIPPING

John Crook, Radio TAB Network, December 2007

ROAD TO SUCCESS: Penna Lane 2005 Shiraz

Our choice is the shiraz with a good cheese platter — its rich black cherry, black olive and prune fruit flavours are well balanced with acidity, soft tannin and a hint of spicy oak. SEE CLIPPING

David Ellis, North Shore Times (Sydney) 30 November 2007

PERFECT SUMMER DRINKING: Penna Lane 2007 Riesling

I first tried the Penna Lane rieslings on a trip to Adelaide a few years ago. Delicious, is my recollection, and this new vintage is up to my expectations. Fresh, zesty and slightly floral, there's just the right balance is this wine for drinking with delicate seafood or Thai dishes. Perfect summer drinking. SEE CLIPPING

Fergus McGhie, The Canberra Times, 21 November 2007

LABOUR OF LOVE FOR THE VINE

Penna Lane 2007 Riesling ... perfect with oysters or freshly caught fish. Penna Lane 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon ... a perfect accompaniment to calamari. Penna Lane 2007 Rambling Rosé ... good with spicy Asian salads or with Mediterranean food. Penna Lane 2005 Shiraz ... match it with beef, kangaroo or cheese. Penna Lane 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ... great company for duck, game and lamb. SEE CLIPPING

Ann Rickard, Noosa News, 16 November 2007

VIBRANT: Penna Lane 2007 Riesling

Life couldn't be any better than knocking over a dozen oysters with a glass or two of this superb riesling from one of the Clare Valley's best. It simply sings: perfumed orange bloosom notes on the nose, vibrant lemon and lime fruit flavours, zingy acidity and a crisp, clean finish. SEE CLIPPING

Kerry Skinner, Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong) 14 November 2007

DELIGHTFUL EXAMPLE: Penna Lane 2007 Riesling

... if ever a wine was made to go with oysters this is it. It's citrussy and aromatic with a crisp, clean acid finish. SEE CLIPPING

Geoff Hawthorne, Central Coast Express Advocate (Gosford/Wyong) 7 November 2007

PRINCE OF GRAPES: Penna Lane 2007 Riesling

With orange blossom aromas, the citrussy flavors also present fruit salad while the finish is crisp and crunchy. Fabulous with flathead. SEE CLIPPING

Ross Noble, The Courier (Mt Barker) 31 October 2007