Bob McDonald

9.1

Sweet red fruits - red cherry and spice. Excellent for a Village Wine. Oak influence is handled expertly by Grivot. The commune and producer show through as well as the vintage. Have the last bottle in 12 months plus. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

See previous note in January this year. This grape offers a lot and I’m glad it’s being grown in Australia - particularly in Ballandean Qld - the closest major wine growing district to me about 2+ hours away. The spiritual home of this varietal is Montefalco in Umbria. Often very tannic and great wine making here from Nick and Caitlin Roberts to keep those often aggressive tannins under control. At this tasting there were aromas of red florals (Geranium) and herbs - very savoury. The palate shows black currant and raspberry with a dash of chocolate. A great effort from Ravenscroft. — 21 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Brief notes. Aromatic red fruits. Fulsome and sweet on the medium bodied palate. An excellent Pinot Noir from the accredited terroir for Pinot of the Mornington Peninsula. Red savoury cherries on nose and palate Smooth supple fine tannins. — 25 days ago

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. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Great to have an Etna wine from time to time. I have read in the past that this is like an Italian Burgundy and I agree in many respects. Medium weight, earthy with bags of minerality, ultra savoury with a lovely red fruited perfume. 100% Nerello Mascalese. We have fond memories of visiting Sicily (including Etna) approx 7 or 8 years ago with Peter Scudamore-Smith MW. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Delectable - this is the Grenache Blanc - not in your database. From half bottle. Mid to pale yellow - muted nose / citrus and traces of honeysuckle. Like a hypothetical cross between Chardonnay and dry Riesling. — 25 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Deep Ruby with a slightly tawny rim. This would’ve been red fruited with raspberries in its youth but much more savoury at 25 years of age with just a trace of dried raspberry. A slight tarry note on the back palate which is totally balanced and a class act. With more air there were aromatics of a little pipe tobacco, leather and even boot polish Barb thought. Fine yet firm tannins. A privilege to drink this famous wine from a good vintage. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Better known for his outstanding array of white burgundies, Vincent Dancer has made an excellent Village classification Red Burgundy from Pommard here. This shows aromas of red cherry, strawberry and roses. A medium bodied palate follows reflecting those aromatics. A well made Village Pommard more like a Chambolle Musigny than the often robust Pommard style. The next night a slight whiff of cowyard. I buy much of my wine from Roscoe at Prince Wine Store in Melbourne who can be quite irreverent and funny and writes an excellent wine note…. For Elton John fans,…..”Hold me closer Vincent Dancer”. — 20 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

From vines planted in 1927. Sweet and red fruited - still lively at 11 years of age. Very good but not better than its “Village “ classification. Shows the excellence of Vosne Romanee as an appellation. — 24 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

One of the Hunter Valleys premium Cuvees honouring the legendary Maurice O’Shea. Very dark ruby - impenetrable in colour. Aromatics of sweet earth - very earthy - plum, red berry and dark chocolate - very Hunter Valley. Amazingly strong for a 27 year old wine. Very Rich, full bodied and concentrated for a Hunter Valley wine. I’ve commented on this before that there was a period of 10 plus years where HV wines were made to imitate South Australian wines - ripe and full bodied. This wine represents that style. Thankfully the current style is more medium bodied but nevertheless this is an outstanding wine with at least 10 plus years left in it. — 25 days ago