Bob McDonald

9.0

Even in an average vintage like 2007 the Bin 28 can still be showing well at 19 years of age. Blackberry and Penfolds Choc mocha. Some herb garden and liquorice. Will not improve but could carry on for a couple more years. — 19 hours ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Named after Sir Arthur Streeton, a leading impressionist and landscape painter. Lived from 1867 to 1943. A leading member of the Heidelberg School. I first came across this wine when I was judging at the Toowoomba Wine Show and fell in love with it. Gave it a Gold Medal and persuaded my fellow judges to do the same. Only 60 dozen made and I was lucky enough to purchase a dozen. I described it as Cote Rotie on steroids at the time. Black pepper, earth and spice. Sweet black fruit - plums. See previous Delectable note 5 years ago. Heathcote at its best. — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See my previous note in February 2026. Very similar to now. This is fulsome and savoury at once - black cherry and raspberry. Very easy to like. Like a hypothetical blend of Syrah and Merlot. The herbal savouriness of Syrah with the softness of a supple Merlot. Made by Alvaro Palacios. Love the flamboyant Spanish label. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Pale lemon in colour. Citric aromas with plenty of mineral. Herbal notes. A quality Premier Cru. Finishes with good persistence and length. Jancis said she “retasted this after the grands crus and it didn’t suffer too much.” — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Interesting to compare this with the Bierzo had a few days ago - both the Mencia grape. Consulting my map i note that Ribeira Sacra is next to Bierzo, both in Galicia. I found this wine slightly more delicious than the Bierzo. This wine is 80% Mencia - the other 20% being Garnacha and 5 other varietals that no one would’ve heard of before. Difficult to describe the palate - very savoury and spicy and lacking in overt fruit you might see in an Australian wine. No lesser wine because of this. I had my first one 28 weeks ago in January 2026. — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

You would expect Shiraz to do well in Margaret River given the success of Cabernet Sauvignon but generally it doesn’t. Many of the leading producers have not even planted Shiraz. This Voyager Estate is an exception. Aromas of black pepper, plums, blackberry, fresh herbs and spices. Medium weight. Travelling well at 15 years giving Margs Shiraz a good name. Also great QPR. Cost me $38 a bottle in February 2019. — 12 days ago

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. — 17 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

100% Merlot from Maremma, coastal Tuscany. Dark crimson in colour. Smells like right bank Bordeaux. I usually avoid the description “smooth “ but that is what this is. Red and black fruited - medium bodied and very long in the flavour profile. Next night still very Bordeaux. See my previous note from February 2024. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

68% Sauvignon Blanc, 24% Semillon and 8% Muscadelle. Not as unctuous and fulsome as previous Triolets I have had. Some notes of lemongrass, spice and apple. Goes well with food. Still remains an excellent example of a new world White Bordeaux blend yet I think it needed more time. Next in a year or two. — 12 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Brief notes. A rich McLaren Vale Shiraz from a good vintage. Aromatics of plum and dark chocolate and a trifle too much French oak. I may have drunk this a little young at 8 years. Trophy winner at the 2021 McLaren Vale wine show. — 15 days ago