Bob McDonald

9.0

The 2nd wine to Vieux Telegraphe’s famed La Crau. Sweet Grenache raspberry notes on nose and palate. Fresher, more fruit and less savoury than I was expecting, although there is a note of light tar. Tannins are fine and very fluid. Hasn’t got the depth of La Crau. 80% Grenache 10% Syrah 6% Mourvèdre 4% Cinsault. — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

A bit chewy, but seeing as its fluid and has these cherries and tar vibe it’s like drinking good Nebbiolo for less. Fun. — 4 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Every once in a while I get a craving for a Ruche, so I’m lucky I had this one in the cellar, because they’re hard to find. This is really nice in a relatively lighter style. Nose leaps out of the glass with crunchy, pungent dark berry, a purple floral note, and bit of pink grapefruit rind. There a unique rock dust note too. Fluid in texture and lighter in style, the cleansing grapefruit rind notes predominate on the palate. A nice lightly bitter note on the clingy finish. — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

Ruby color, limpid, fluid. A nose of red fruits, flowers and woody notes from aging. Bouquet, classic and classy nose. On the palate, the attack is balanced, the body is charming, the tannins of oak barrels and the fruit are well mixed, with notes of red fruits and flowers. The finish unfolds on woody tannins and a tangy return. Without great complexity but balanced. The wine falls quickly, to drink on the opening day.

Robe rubis, limpide, fluide. Nez bouqueté, classique et classieux, mêlant fruits rouge, fleurs et notes boisées d’élevage. En bouche l’attaque est équilibrée, le corp est charmeur les tanins de fût de chênes et le fruit sont bien mêlés, sur des notes fruits rouges et fleurs. La finale se déploie sur les tanins boisés et un retour acidulés agréables. Sans grande complexité mais équilibré. Le vin tombe vite, à boire le jour de l’ouverture. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Red fruits with noticeable stalks from whole bunch fermentation - great balance and medium bodied with fluid juicy textures - last of 3. This is showing better than the previous 2 bottles. I sometimes get overly influenced by HHs reviews He gave this only 84 points and it is 10 points better than that. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

My last Little Wine IV. A blend of vintages 2012 2013 and 2014. Ripe plums with a hint of prune - fruit cake aromas. Obviously the product of old vines - entirely from the Hoffman Vineyard apparently. Lush and fluid textures on the palate. Amazing quality for the price. — 5 years ago

J. Kim

9.0

Expansive, radiant, integrated, enveloping, fluid, transparent. Unusually good. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A vibrant (considering the age) deep crimson. Mint, Herbs, Blackcurrant. Still reasonably tight with a long life ahead. A good balanced Margaret River Cabernet at a lesser price than the premium Cuvées but not far behind them in quality. Fluid, persistent and ultimately dry tannins. A strong performer on the Show Circuit with 6 Gold Medals and a Trophy from major Wine Shows. Had another bottle on 11th August 2022. Not typically Margaret River with Cassis and Black currant. Still plenty of power. — 4 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

This white is crisp and has an excellent balance of fruitiness and acidity and a smooth fluid body. The red of this winery has brett and is watered down and is not recommendable. This white is versatile, you can enjoy it on its own poolside or pair with mussels or salad. #crete #cretewine — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Home Hill has become a rising star on the Australian Wine Show scene for the quality of their cool climate Pinot Noir. This wine had aromas of cherry and a little stemmy character. The palate was sweet with plums and black cherry. Very fluid and supple tannins - seamless. Medium weight palate and drinking well now. HH has a drinking window of 2017 to 2029. Cannot see it myself. My remaining 2 bottles will be gone in the next few years - just too delicious. Winner of the 2015 Jimmy Watson Trophy for the Best One Year old Dry Red at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show. From the most southerly vineyard in Australia. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

First time I tried this wine some years ago I thought it was a Pinot for Shiraz lovers. It remains a full bodied Pinot with black cherry and black plum with fluid soft tannins. Easy to like and very much a new world Pinot. Good with Duck Pancakes at a good Asian Restaurant on the Gold Coast. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

This was Cabernet No. 4 in the lineup of 9 tasted blind and my 3rd highest pointed wine of the 8 Cabernets. Dark red with ripe red and black fruits showing the warmth of the vintage Rich, succulent and delicious on the palate of profound intensity. Fluid persistent fine tannins. This will have a very long life. Next in 5 years if I can keep my hands off it. I have 4 left. Maybe one every 5 years for the next 20 years — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Cassis, blackberry and other black and red fruits. Medium bodied palate with Medium plus intensity. Soft fluid resolved tannins- a little grainy. I have always thought that Mount Mary is the most Bordeaux-like of Australian Cabernets. I think I will drink my remaining 2 bottles in the next 2 to 3 years. — 5 years ago

Lindsey King

9.6

When your brain detangles and you feel the cashmere cushion of understanding yourself. When your thoughts easily find their way into good words then fine sentences and finally you have a colourful string of beads that form narrative. Fluid ideas full of feeling. It’s circular and it’s ending could be it’s middle and its middle could be it’s beginning. Endless boundaries, no resistance. Care and ease. — 7 years ago

Ming L

9.2

The nose, though mostly primary at this stage but already seductive, shows blackberries, blueberry jam, cassis, dark roasted coffee beans, and hint of tobacco. The full body is sculptured like a long distance runner, with cool acidity carrying the fluid yet powerful strikes.
Obviously still young, but really a beautiful wine that will evolve gracefully.
Paired great with wild mushroom rice. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Classic Cabernet descriptors of Cedar, Tobacco, Red and black fruits and a herbal note. Lovely on the palate, drinking at its peak with excellent balance - smooth, fluid, resolved tannins. One could easily pick this as a Left Bank Bordeaux in a blind tasting. Shows more French restraint than the full blown Napa style for me. Medium + weight palate with balance and concentration. Probably my favourite Napa Valley Cabernet though admittedly I have not tried some of the big guns like Harlan. Post script: A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. No Merlot was used in the blend for 2004. — 4 years ago

ESF

9.2

@Lyle Fass thank you for this wine! Big, authentic intoxicating Medoc nose immediately upon opening w/Bing cherry, cassis, boysenberry and raspberry beautifully integrated with savory, bay leaf, mossy tree bark, mushroom, sweet damp Earth and vein of minerality. Seductive inky & opaque, mid to heavyweight, fluid luxurious mid palate with solid tannic structure clenching tightly on finish. Strutted w/roasted leg of lamb. Long life ahead - bump for QPR — 5 years ago

J. Kim

9.0

The aroma is similar to Azelia, authentic and pure, but missing some bass components. It even shows some natural wine tendencies, slightly volatile and gassy, which settles down quickly. The structure lacks the authority and the weight but it scores high in transparency and dynamics. It will not challenge the supremacy of Conternos, Mascarellos and Odderos because its aroma is less complex and powerful, but its structure is built on radically different geometry, which makes it very exciting. There is also a Burgundian sense of mastery of texture, and distinctiveness of aroma that separates it from more pedestrian Barolo’s. Also worth noting that while it shows the authentic character of Barolo it does not forego a strong individuality of the winemaker. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Catching up with old wine notes now that I’m spending more time at home. Aromas of earth, mushrooms, beetroot, root vegetables in general. Afterwards - dried rose petals. Easily Premier Cru standard. The palate is intense, fluid, long and very Burgundian - the most of any Australian Pinot although I am hearing wonderful things about By Farr Serre. A sooty tarry earthy element developed after a while. A brilliant Pinot Noir. — 5 years ago

Seth Morgen Long

Broker • Arterberry Maresh / Winemaker • Morgen Long

9.3

Lovely, concentrated, brooding. Dark blue fruits and wood spice aromatics and flavors. Plenty of energy and freshness, long, elegant and fluid. Quite fetching and well integrated already. — 6 years ago