Bob McDonald

9.5

Top flight Tasmanian Chardonnay from Tolpuddle in the Coal River made and owned by Shaw and Smith. A logistical challenge shipping the grapes from Tasmania to the Adelaide Hills in refrigerated containers to Shaw and Smith HQ where the grapes are crushed and vinified. Initially the wine is lean when tasting - perhaps a little young. Lemon and grapefruit fruit notes and barrel ferment characters with a 10 year life ahead. My first of 3. The next in 3 to 5 years by which time I expect more stone fruit textures to be apparent. 98 points from Huon Hooke. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Very identifiable as Tasmanian Pinot - this one from the Coal River and the high performing Pooley Wines. Last tasting note here was way back 153 weeks ago. Red fruited - drinking this early in its drinking window. Light to medium weight - lovely Tassie purity. Fine tannins. — 2 years ago

Michelle M

9.4

Blackberry bramble, baked black cherry and plum, hints of maraschino, mint and menthol, bell pepper and geranium, cedar, tobacco, and bakers vanilla with whiffs of aged leather jacket on the nose. Blackberry, cherry, juicy raspberry, vanilla extract and weak black tea on the palate with a medium heavy body but a medium short finish. Overall a great wine for pumpkin pie brunch on Christmas morning (no it’s not too early). Merry Christmas! — 4 years ago

Alan Snitow

9.3

En magnum, mine — a month ago

Donald Williams

9.1

Nice crisp dry wine, good with grilled chicken. — 4 months ago

with Bonnie

Simon Laracy

10

2020
Lighter Pinot round flavors very drinkable — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Hazy straw. Wonderful nose of lemon rind m, straw, and menthol. Full bodied palate of verbena, pear, citrus, birch, and a host others in layer upon layer. Firm acidity from entry to the slight mineral flintiness on the finish. Rich seafood or poultry dishes will shine especially well. I’m having mine with scallops and my drinking partner with Parmesan encrusted chicken. Drink now through 2024. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2008 a good to very good vintage depending on the producer and region.

I’ve had the 2008 a few years ago. The bottle from my collection, better. This one is not in decline, just not as enjoyable. Still shows a fair amount of earthiness where the bottle from my collection did not. In fairness, I gave mine a good decant and this bottle had been open but not decanted.

Emirates Lounge Dubai with Wagyu filet. — 23 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. — 4 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

7/17 Disgorgment, and 2010 based. Always a favorite of mine, and with some bottle age it takes on even further levels of unmatched complexity, layers, depth and aromatics synonymous with Selosse. Largillier is a wine I just can’t stay away from. — 4 years ago