Bronze, gold, green, blue and chocolate brown were all colours applied to pillar boxes. In fact, their livery mainly depended upon the personal choice of the district surveyor. That is, until 1874, when pillar box red became the standard colour for the highly decorated mail posting boxes.
Noted as one of the best wines available in
Australia, under $20!
88 Points
The wine is named after the 19th-century mail coach service that
ran through the pastoral property in Padthaway on which the large vineyard is
situated. Other evocative brand names are Parson's Flat, The Trial of John
Montford, Dead Letter Office, Morse Code and The Postmistress. The other thing
they have in common is value for money. Light to medium purple-red, this is a
shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot blend with a supple display of
blackberry, blackcurrant and plum fruit on the light- to medium-bodied palate.
It's an attractive, drink-now pizza or pasta style.
published November 2011
2009 Pillar Box Red awarded GOLD MEDAL at the New Zealand 2011 New World Wine Awards
2008 Pillar Box Red
87 Points
...a neatly put together
light- to medium bodied blend (Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot), spicy/earthy
shiraz the leader, but combining well with the other components. Screwcap.
2008 Pillar Box Red
85 points
Firm in texture, with smoky tobacco notes around a chewy core of black cherry and licorice. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2012.
2008 Pillar Box Red
3 stars
CLEVER BLEND: A budget level blend of shiraz-cabernet and merlot from the Longbottom Vigneron family that is backed up by a black label reserve shiraz at $18 showing even more style. The Longbottoms’ large range of labels goes beyond the Pillar Boxes to a well-priced Dead Letter Office cross regional shiraz and up into the $30 range a Henry’s Drive Shiraz with plenty of fresh plum purity and fleshy structure. A hearty, full bodied red with no sharp edges, meaty, chewy and suited perfectly for the autumn barbeque with big lamb and beef over flame.
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