Bob McDonald

9.2

Lemon Yellow in colour. Aromatics of citrus, apple and white daisies (Barb). Very delicate on the palate with those aromatics of citrus and apple coming through with minerality. A touch of salinity to finish off. Like most PYCM bottles this is way too heavy. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale lemon yellow in colour. Aromas of talc and orange/mandarin skin. Palate of medium plus intensity showing mandarin flesh and lime. A cool to cold climate terroir at Henty on Victoria’s south west coast facing the southern Ocean and ensuring a long ripening period. At 11 years still very lively - the mouth puckering acid of its youth has diminished but enough there to ensure a few more years in the cellar. An exceptional Riesling and one of Australia’s best IMO. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A perfect balance between oak and fruit (blackberry) from this Barossa Shiraz. Great winemaking from John Duval who has quite the CV. John was Chief Winemaker at Penfolds from 1986 until 2002 being only the 3rd custodian of Penfolds Grange after Max Schubert (creator of Grange) and Don Ditter. In 2020 this wine received Shiraz of the Year and 99 points from the James Halliday Wine Companion. The product of old vines in the Barossa. Luscious but in balance and overall - delicious. — 15 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

This is generally regarded as the best example of Shiraz Viognier in Australia but recently I tried a 2015 Serrat Shiraz Viognier which was the equal of Clonakilla if not better. As per previous Delectable notes this bottle had the trademark dried spices, cloves a trace of pepper and dried meat. Barely medium weight and always a joy to drink. My last bottle. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

The colour is becoming more tawny since my last tasting in 2023. Lovely aromatics of red fruits and Sous Bois. Manages to combine the characteristics of both Tasmania’s Coal River Valley Pinot Noir and Steve Flamsteed’s excellent winemaking (ex Giant Steps Yarra Valley). I have previous Delectable notes on this wine. Sweet red cherry. Fleshy and supple. This wine scooped the pool at the 2019 Royal Queensland Wine Awards winning Best Pinot Noir of Show; Best Red Table Wine; Best Single Vineyard Red and Grand Champion Wine of Show. Since the acquisition of Giant Steps by the Jackson Family I’m not sure that the Nocton Vineyard is still made? Postscript: Research on line indicates that no vintage of Nocton was made after this one in 2018. — 10 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Quite dense crimson in colour with a tawny rim. Balsamic notes with cherry and a leathery note. Unusual production technique for Barolo using French Barriques for oak maturation. An excellent red but not particularly Barolo, although the oak has largely integrated after 15 years. One of the 1001 Wines. I have Delectable notes of this Cuvée from the 2008 vintage. — 16 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

An amazing high level Margaret River Chardonnay drinking at its peak. Smoky herbal aromas with ripe grapefruit. A medium + bodied palate of profound intensity. Still mainly citrus and ripe grapefruit notes on the palate with mineral. Great right now but would go on at this level for a year or two. My last bottle of the 2015. — 16 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Made by Tom Carson (chief winemaker at Yabby Lake) as his side project. 2013 and 2014 (the latter being Halliday’s wine of the year) of this wine were awarded Australia wide Trophies and Tom says this 2015 is just as good. Sweet red fruits (mulberry) with heaps of spice - Barb said peppery notes. A fabulous wine with impeccable balance- a perfect match with the free range chicken dish that Barb created. 98 points from James Halliday. Tom Carson for the last few years has been Chief Judge of the Royal Queensland Wine Show. His expertise shows in his winemaking. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

The colour is a surprisingly a youthful deep Ruby with purple tinges considering its 17 years of age. Dusty plum and herbal aromas. Ultra savoury on the medium bodied palate. An excellent example of perhaps the best terroir for Mourvèdre - Provence. Jancis’s drinking window was 2010 to 2020 which proves yet again how drinking windows are an inexact science considering that this wine was still kicking goals in 2025. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid straw yellow in colour. After 10 years still no sign of TDN. Aromas of lime and talc. Ken Helm of Helm wines in the Canberra district would say these are well handled Riesling grapes from a cool growing season where no petro chemical notes have developed. He believes kero/petrol aromas are a wine fault and caused by sunburnt grapes. On the palate lime flavours, a touch of honey and finishes with a slight saline note. Fresh and crisp even in its old age. Proves again that the Clare Valley is perfect for Riesling. Delectable: Taylor’s is the producer. — 21 days ago