Bob McDonald

9.2

Very dense in colour - opaque, almost black. Aromas of Cocoa, blackcurrant, spice and cedar. 69% Cabernet Sauvignon; 31% Shiraz. On the medium to full bodied palate this has contained latent power ensuring a long cellar life - at least to the end of this decade. Halliday says drink by 2040. I think this Cuvée became Yalumba’s top red Cuvée and is now known as The Caley. The quintessential Australian Cabernet Shiraz blend. I have 2 left. Next in a few years. Only 500 dozen made. — 5 months ago

romo

9.0

Correct but tough to get past a latent olive note. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid Ruby with a tawny rim. A little closed 15 minutes after decanting. Still contained and a little latent at 12 years of age. With air red berry fruits and florals and a touch of pepper. Wonderful palate intensity showing the quality of the fruit - raspberry notes coming through. One of Australia’s best Pinots although I have had better Block 5’s. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Rich Ruby in colour. Muted nose. I made the mistake of not decanting but ended up putting it through one of those funnel type aereators. With swirling this released black pepper, red and black berries with a note of cinnamon. The medium bodied palate was latent, tight and self contained finishing with fine sandy tannins. In hindsight I should have left this for a few years but was guided by JM’s drinking window from Wine Spectator of 2019 to 2021. This is a better class of CdR and priced accordingly. Vine age is 30 to 60 years with a small amount (2%) from young vine Cornas. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Wanted to compare this 2016 Bourgogne Rouge with the recent Dom Bellene Vosne Romanee village wine. This was similar - very self contained and restrained. Too latent to provide an educated assessment. One dimensional and lacking in complexity - the best is yet to come. After vigorous swirling some black cherry and spice is evident. The first of 6 - try the next one in 1 to 2 years. I note that Wine Spectator had a drinking window of 2022 to 2038 which I thought was optimistic for a Village wine but it’s not once you taste it. A wonderful producer. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

A bright Ruby red in colour. Red florals, touch of violet with red cherry and notes of compost heap. A dusty component to the nose Barb thought. Not as much perfume as I was expecting in a Premier Cru Chambolle. Medium bodied and latent. More mineral, dusty and earthy than a new world Pinot Noir. A perfect match with Duck a l’Orange. One of the 1001 wines. This was a major stuff up. I meant to drink the 2013 and picked the 2015 by mistake which is nowhere near ready. — 2 years ago

Chris Regina

9.1

Fading jam but still latent tastiness. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Nice aromas of mint (not positive but this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is probably mainly from Coonawarra) and cassis, black currant aromas. Medium bodied with an inner core of latent strength, inherent in most Penfolds Reds. Tastes way younger than 13 years and will cellar for at least another 10 to 15 years or more. Postscript: I thought this statement was appropriate from Penfolds First Chief Winemaker and the creator of Grange, Max Schubert said, “Penfolds different cuvées may differ in character Year by Year, but all bear an unmistakable resemblance and relationship to each other. “ This is pertinent when tasting Bin 407. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Very dark Ruby with a crimson edge. A closed latent nose after decanting initially. Aromatics of black and blue fruits with Cassis, chocolate, oak spice together with plum and tobacco leaf. I didn’t realise how Tempranillo (100%) could be as rich as this. The same complex aromatics feed through to the full bodied palate. Gorgeous - a dense and thick mouth feel without being heavy. Will leave the next one for a year or two. The 2nd wine of the famous Pingus. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

The final wine at the Downs Club Filipino Dinner on Wednesday night - the mystery wine. This was a rich full bodied red from Coonawarra ( atypical for most Shiraz from this region) and I incorrectly picked McLaren Vale. This had a closed latent brooding nose and should have had a longer decant I feel. Ripe black fruits with some liquorice and plenty of tannin. This has a long way to go to achieve some nuance and detail. A whopper for a Coonawarra Shiraz. — 3 years ago