Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.7

Beautifully layered, and incredibly consistent on the palate. It doesn’t drop for a moment like many other wines this year. 60% whole bunch. 50% Franc 30 Sauv. 20 Merlot. Creamy, balanced and intense. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Mid Ruby in colour. Red fruits of cherry and strawberry with a bit of whole bunch influence on the nose. The palate showing savoury red fruits but also a little sweetness. Certainly a good future in front of it - I should try the next one in 1 to 2 years time. Tom Carson has probably never made a bad wine in his life and he has a great terroir to work with when he is not in demand for judging at Royal Shows. Tasted another bottle 65 weeks later on 24th July 2022. Quite red cherry on the nose and palate. Sooty notes from whole bunch in the ferment. The perfect balance between sweet and savoury. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

The first of the reds at the Grand Cru Burgundy Dinner Heady aromas of plum and violets with a high percentage of whole bunch, around 85 to 100 percent apparently. - more fruit driven though, before the Sous Bois characters develop with a few more years. Ramon, the importer, said 12 bottles came into Australia and 4 bottles consumed at this dinner. Red fruits on the medium weight spicy palate - 70% new oak. Close to my WOTN. Interestingly Negociants the importer are also the sole importers of DRC into Australia and Ramon said they get much more DRC Echezeaux than Dujac Echezeaux. — 4 years ago

Michelle Berryman

9.1

Robust and fruity. This is a bold Malbec. — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

After the recent straight entry level Giant Steps Pinot from 2017 which was fruit driven and quite delicious this is one of their individual paddock wines - Applejack which is made in a different style with whole bunch ferment to the fore. Notes of anise and white pepper to the red fruited nose and palate. Hint of clove. Oak is resolved to my palate. Impressive and showing Steve Flamsteed’s ability as a winemaker. Postscript: Jackson Family Wines from the USA has acquired Giant Steps as of a year ago I believe. I would expect Giant Steps to be more readily available in the US now. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

The first of 2 Tasmanian Pinots. Pale crimson in colour. Red fruits and stalky notes- too much whole bunch? But still a lovely aromatic perfume featuring rose petals on the nose. A light to medium weight palate which works. The typical Burgundian trait of a fuller flavoured palate than the colour would indicate. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

A peppery note on the nose showing evidence of whole bunch in the ferment. Rich red fruits of cherry and raspberry on the palate showing more new world in the warm 2015 vintage with ripe tannins. Some new sources apparently in this year’s blend including declassified Beaune and Monthelie villages alongside the traditional Santenay villages and Santenay 1er cru Commes. Excellent quality for a Village wine and great QPR. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous note from July 2020. Bright Ruby red. Nose as before with Red fruits and compost heap, forest floor. The palate has those earthy savoury rhubarb flavours and is totally balanced with resolved tannins. At 7 years it is probably at its peak with the palate in harmony with the red fruits (which will fade) and the savoury earthiness. I believe this is the time to drink this even though I see a window through to 2026. Tasted my last 2014 30 weeks later on 30th April 2022. A pale Ruby red with a tawny edge. Amongst the very fragrant perfumed nose there was a sooty note which was a byproduct of whole bunch in the ferment. Also a stewed rhubarb note. An excellent Pinot and 96 points from HH. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Always a treat to try a Bell Hill Pinot Noir. Quite light in colour. Wonderful florals of violet, roses and a stalky whole bunch note - a nose reminiscent of Vosne Romanee. A light to medium weight palate showing more body than the colour would indicate. Strong Sous Bois character with red fruits and great persistence. I have very few wines from Canterbury NZ but on this showing, should have more. This is Bell Hill’s 2nd ranked Cuvée. I have a few bottles of their 1st ranked Cuvée but they need more cellar time before popping the cork, as does this Old Weka Pass 2016. A great Pinot with further potential. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Mid Ruby in colour. Initial aromas of red and black fruits particularly raspberry and also whole bunch notes. Rich and sweet on the palate with plums and cherries finishing with smooth tannins. Fruit for this Pinot was sourced from the Coal Valley, East Coast and Channel sub-regions of Tasmania - the latter adding that richness like you see in Home Hill Estate. — 4 years ago