Bob McDonald

9.5

Rich and full bodied. Nose of savoury black plums. So flavoursome - sumptuous, mouth filling and satisfying. One of the more enjoyable reds I’ve had of recent times. From the excellent 2016 vintage. This is the first of 2 bottles. Next one towards the end of 2027 or early 2028. — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

From the 2018 vintage entirely. Fraser seems to do less blended vintages these days - perhaps in this case because 2018 was very good and bountiful. Red fruited and muscular, vital and fresh, and in perfect balance. In oak for 78 weeks. A plummy palate finishing with savoury charry and always silky fine grained tannins. This is my first of 3 bottles in the cellar. Wonderful wine from ancient vines some of which date back to 1888. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Showing more new world in this warmer vintage. Aromas of ripe red fruits - mainly strawberries. The palate showing those ripe fruits typical of the vintage. Needs more cellar time to show its best. Expected more complexity and quality from this producer and the vineyard. Have the next bottle in 2029/2030. — 15 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

No note on Delectable since May 2017 - 473 weeks ago. Smoked meat, Asian spices - an intoxicating nose. On the medium bodied palate - sweet red fruits with spices. Tim Kirk, the owner and winemaker said at the time it was the best Shiraz Viognier he had ever made for what is considered the benchmark for this blend in Australia. 98 points from HH and 18.5 points+ from Jancis. Very detailed as you would expect from Tim Kirk. — 24 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

I have many tasting notes for Beaucastel on Delectable dating back nearly 10 years ago (504 weeks). Always has been a favourite and I had the pleasure of having a guided tasting with my wife and 2 children some years ago at the winery. This wine from the warm 2015 vintage had plenty of ripe black fruits like Blackberry and plum - also herbs and pepper. This Cuvée used all 13 permitted varietals. This was the first of 3 bottles. Next in a year or two. I actually slightly preferred the 2016 Clape Renaissance had over the weekend. I realise the Clape is northern Rhone but thought I would mention it. — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Apricot City! Nice to compare this with Australia’s top version of Viognier, the Yalumba “Virgilius” which we had yesterday and I preferred - definitely better value for money. Richard Hemming MW thought the Stephane Ogier was light for a Condrieu. 100% Viognier, 33% new oak. — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Aromas of red cherries, cranberry, white pepper and spice. Intense red fruits on the medium bodied fleshy palate. A gold medal Pinot and amazingly the Dixon is only considered Bindi’s 3rd or 4th best Pinot. Bindi is one of Australia’s leading producers of top quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This Cuvee used to be called “Composition” before it was called Dixon. — 20 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Brief notes. Dried savoury cherry and other red fruits. I found this to be quite new world in structure and flavour profile. I will do a more comprehensive note for my second and last bottle in a year or two. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Brief notes. Stone fruit, mineral and spice with great tension. Most good judges regard Robert Weil as the supreme estate in the Rheingau. I have 2 previous tasting notes of this wine on Delectable - around 2 years ago and 4 years ago. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Very pale crimson - almost transparent. Aromas of red cherry and violets. Like many good Pinots pale in colour but M+ palate Intensity - an elegant wine finishing with fine tannins. Bell Hill produces some of the rarest and most sought after wines in New Zealand. I have visited all the major wine producing areas in New Zealand but I have never been to Canterbury - not far from Christchurch. — 15 days ago