Bob McDonald

8.9

Very citrussy on nose and palate. An old school Clare Valley Riesling with chalky, taut, acidic notes even at 8 years of age. Quite austere still. Yet to flesh out on the mid palate. Not sure this will happen. My only bottle. — 14 hours ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

A classic Coonawarra Cabernet nose of mint, herbs, blackberry and leafiness. Very vibrant and energetic for a 15 year old wine. Most of that carrying through to the medium to full bodied palate. One of the icons of the Australian wine scene, first produced in 1954 and one of the most collected wines in Australia. Very underpriced for its quality and pedigree. I might leave my last bottle for 5 years in its 20th year. It will easily travel the journey. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

I have several previous notes for this 2010 and a couple for 2008. Houghton I believe is possibly the oldest winery in WA based in the Swan River on the outskirts of Perth. Established in 1836. It would be many years later before wine was being produced in Margaret River. However the grapes for this Cabernet came from Margaret River. As I said see previous notes but I did love Gary Walsh’s review of this wine from the “Winefront” when he said “Sends the Cabernet enthusiasts among us just a little bit wild.” — 12 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Deep crimson in colour. Notes of blackberry and other black fruits, quite bold for a Coonawarra (cool climate) Shiraz. In this warmer year of 2008 in South Australia this wine tastes more like a Barossa or McLaren Vale Shiraz than a Coonawarra Shiraz. Dry herbal notes and verging on full bodied. Being a Penfolds Bin No. red it will easily pass 20 years in the cellar. Hasn’t got the usual spice and pepper of a Bin 128 in this warmer year. — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid Lemon Yellow in colour. Barb thought aromatics of lemon flower and dusty citrus generally. A little flint and quince. On the palate more citrus featuring lemon, lime and ripe grapefruit. A thirst quenching white wine - balanced with just sufficient acid. Thoroughly enjoyable from a good vintage for white burgundy. With air this wine put on weight and became more luscious. The following night still superb. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Apologies for the soiled label. Pale Ruby with a tawny edge - almost transparent. Dusty earthy mushroom aromas. Oak is absorbed and so are the tannins. Barely medium weight, elegant in fact. Interesting for a Barolo / cherry notes on palate. Perfect to accompany food - in this case home made pizza. One of the lightest Barolos I’ve ever tried but very enjoyable. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

Spinifex is a boutique producer based in the Barossa Valley and run by Peter Schell who is a New Zealander. This shows red and blue fruits with herbal notes. One of those wines I think is best drunk young when it is fresh and vital. This is very good but personally I prefer McLaren Vale, particularly Blewitt Springs for Grenache. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Very dark Ruby in colour - impenetrable. Red fruits, dried herbs, plum and plum skins - evidence of whole bunch in the ferment ( 70% apparently). Lovely balance, fruit quality and complexity, all at only 6 years of age. An overall sweetness on the palate which overrides the savoury characters. Being from Geelong it’s interesting to compare with the Yarra Valley and Mornington Pinots on the opposite (eastern) side of Port Phillip Bay - same latitude - this seems more succulent although all 3 districts are excellent for Pinot Noir. This is the first of 5 bottles - the drinking window will go another 6 years into the 2030s. This is an exceptional Australian Pinot. — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

One doesn’t normally associate top flight Cabernet with the Hunter Valley but Lakes Folly , founded by ex surgeon Dr Max Lake (now past) turned that notion on its head and has been making top flight Cabernets for decades. This wine has strong mint aromas with some spice. Red fruited. Would stump a lot of tasters in a blind tasting as to its origins. If anyone can do Cabernets in the Hunter Valley it would be Lakes Folly. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

My 2nd last 2018 Pooley Pinot Noir. Pale Ruby in colour, tawny shades almost transparent. The colour appears to have become paler with age - a characteristic I haven’t seen before. On the palate evidence of whole bunch in the ferment - herbal, stalky amid the red fruits. The pale colour belies the palate intensity. Coal River is becoming part of Tasmanian Pinot Royalty. — 13 days ago