"Polished, supple and juicy, with red berry, black cherry, licorice and white pepper flavors, persisting nicely on the refined finish. Drink now through 2017. 2,000 cases made. –HS"
- Wine Spectator (April 30th 2012), 90 pts
- Wine Spectator (April 30th 2012), 90 pts
- Wine Spectator (June 15th 2014), 90 pts
"My favorite of the Rubus selections from Kysela is the 2013 Shiraz, a blend of 98% Shiraz and 2% Viognier coming from Australia's Barossa Valley. This is a big, beefy wine with an opaque purple color and a chewy, fleshy mouthfeel with notes of blackberry, cassis, licorice and tar. The wine is full, rich and an outstanding value. Drink it over the next 3-4 years."
- Wine Advocate (March 2016), 90 pts - Excellent wine values for under $25
"Rubus is a label for wines selected by the fine American importer Fran Kysela, MS. The 2013 is a full-bodied, velvety-textured Barossa Shiraz, offering a rich, luxuriousmouthfeel. Cedar and mocha notes are apparent, but there’s ample underlying plummy fruit and a long, plush finish. Drink now–2020. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Wine Enthusiast (October 2015 and May 2016), 92 pts + Editor's choice
"Dark nearly opaque violet color. Spicy, herbal aromas and flavors of eucalyptus, menthol mint, and blueberry chutney with a satiny, tangy, fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, complex, long chocolate drizzled berries and cherries and toffee finish with fine, chewy tannins and moderate oak. A vibrant, spicy Shiraz with balance."
- Beverage Testing Institute (December 15th 2016), 93 pts + GOLD MEDAL & BEST BUY
"One of my favorites in the lineup was the 2015 Shiraz Barossa (there’s 2% Viognier in the blend), which sports a deep purple color as well as a blockbuster nose of plums, blackberries, candied violets, and incense, with just a hint of eucalyptus showing with time in the glass. Possessing medium to full-bodied richness, an opulent, sexy texture, no hard edges, and a great finish, it’s a lot of wine for the money. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 90 pts
- Wine Spectator (November 15th 2018), 90 pts