Bob McDonald

9.4

Deep crimson with a bluish tinge. Medium to full bodied - palate of cherries, liquorice and spice finishing with fine sandy tannins. I love Shiraz from the Grampians district - home to one of my favourites - Mt. Langhi Ghiran. The first of 2 bottles - next in 2030. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Wendouree again demonstrating its incredible longevity from very old vines. This Shiraz Mataro blend now 28 years old. Earthy savoury notes on nose and palate together with liquorice and mint. Many Wendouree wines regardless of the particular Cuvee have camphor/menthol notes early in their life but that note has morphed into ginger, eucalypt and compost heap notes with age. Firm yet fine tannins. Full bodied. Barb thought there was a porty note which I’m not totally on board with but I can see where she is coming from. The next night noticeable coffee grounds on the nose. An Australian curio. My last bottle. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Brief notes. Black Cherries, herbs , the warmer vintage reflected. A ripe palate. Easy to like. Last one in a year or two. — 21 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Barb and I first tasted this wine at the winery in a structured tasting, as the 2019 vintage on 31 March 2021 and it was very impressive. A couple of years later I bought 6 bottles of the 2021 and this is the 2nd of those 6. Made by the dream team of Michael Hill-Smith (Australia’s first MW), David LeMire MW plus winemakers Martin Shaw and Adam Wadewitz. Appley notes, noticeable funk. More detailed notes over the course of the next 4 bottles in the next few years. A class act from the Adelaide Hills. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

The 3rd of the Hurley Cuvées from Mornington Peninsula - the other 2 being Garamond and Hommage. I have Delectable notes on the latter two Cuvées. This wine was pale Ruby in colour - transparent. Nose of red cherry. Oak very much in the background. Light weight on the palate but full of flavour with M+ intensity. Hurley consider Lodestone to be the warmest of the three sites and provides us with the most powerful and structured of the wines. — 7 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A rich Crimson in colour. Cabernet aromas immediately noticed. A Bordeaux blend from Bolgheri, Tuscany. I’m sure this wine would be difficult to pick as Italian in a lineup of left bank Bordeaux from 2015. This has blackberry, plum and earth flavours all wrapped in spicy oak. Will go on into the early 2030s. Thoroughly enjoyable. Next in a couple of years. — 17 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Good minerality - wet stone, like many PYCM wines particularly from Saint Aubin, yellow fruits and citrus. 60 year old vines. Warmer site than Champlots. Looking at previous Delectable Notes for 2017 and 2015 for this Cuvée, the tasting notes are similar. — 22 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A very high quality Brunello - red cherries and mint. Highly awarded by professional tasters - getting 100 points from each of Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling - the latter saying it was the best Brunello he had ever tasted, which is a big call. Last bottle in 2030. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

2008 was the first ever vintage of Bin 150, a Cuvee even to this day not seen often at Penfolds tastings. Chief Penfolds winemaker, Peter Gago said it best when he said, “A definitive Penfolds style based on Grange-quality vineyards and central Barossa terroir. “ When you reflect that most of their best Cuvées are multi regional blends, the Bin 150 from Marananga is somewhat unique. My notes for this wine - Rich dark red and black fruits. The Penfolds stamp of Choc/Mocha - an aristocratic nose showing the product of aged vines and excellent terroir. Will still be drinking well in the 2030s but is thoroughly enjoyable right now. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The 2014 Jimmy Watson Trophy winner. 30% whole bunch ferment; 2-3% Viognier co-fermented. The winemaker, Steve Pannell is highly awarded in Australia and made the following comment, “Wonderful now but I’ll be keeping a few bottles for a celebration in 2026 and suggest you do the same. “ Written on 17/11/23. This wine was intense in flavour without being too big. Black plum, spice and liquorice. Have the last one in 2030+ if I have the willpower. — 18 days ago