Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous Delectable note from August 2024. A rich deep Ruby in colour. Traces of vanilla oak (coconut oak has toned down since initial tasting). Ripe red and black (plum) fruits. On the palate rich, intense and full bodied - sweet blackberry with hints of aniseed. As I said in the previous note, wines like this show the Barossa at its best. Will drink well through to the end of the 2020’s. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Woodcutter is entry level for Torbreck. For just under $20, a very good Shiraz for the money.

This is young and full throttle. Alcohol seems hotter than 15%. But their reds need time.

Lots of ripe; mulberries, blackberries to pie, gooseberries, black raspberries & dark candied black cherries. Anise into black licorice, sweet tarriness, black ground pepper, fresh tobacco, leather, barrel shavings, dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, dry crushed rocks, red flowers, lavender, violets, full round acidity and nicely balanced, big tensioned, well structured, lush, elegant, well polished finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on spice and pleasant earthiness.

It needs to shed its baby fat. Let rest another 3-5 years before opening. In Australian Shiraz hard to beat at this price point. — 5 months ago

Ron R

9.4

Whoa, what a sublime presentation. Nose displays tobacco leaves, ripe cherries and a dusting of cedar.
Palate is regal - the definition of smooth. Raspberries everywhere. Immature tannins suggest that this should be left for a while. Nice weight and texture leads into a smooth maple syrup finish. Spice box also coming thru after exposure to air. Thank you, Rick.
Mens club, Pittsburgh. — 7 months ago

with Andrew and Rick

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Everything about this wine is DARK. Deep ruby/purple color bordering on black. Aromas of black and blue fruit, Asian spices and coffee. Flavors of cooked black berry/plum/currant fruit, bakers chocolate, tar and espresso. Hint of black pepper on the long, lingering and silky finish. Extremely concentrated with lively acidity. Tannins are firm but in harmony. This is a wine you quickly take notice of. Probably at (or just past) its peak. Thanks for the wonderful gift, Petey P! — 8 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.8

Concentrated extract. Nearly pitch black in the glass. Takes an hour to come to complete expression with layers of dark red fruit of cherry and plum soaked in spice. Remained very centered on the palette and settled in a complex, layered finish. Since we have been in Australia for more than six weeks I have to use the cricket lingo: this wine was all about ‘Lane and Length’. Much, much enjoyed it. Blew my head off. — 2 years ago

with Tammy

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.8

The 2018 Mollydooker ‘The Velvet Glove’ Shiraz is a utterly sensational bottling that rivals any wine of its kind. Aged in all new American oak, this shows a gorgeous bouquet from blueberry pie to espresso grounds, graphite and toasty oak tones that all impress. The palate is deep and utterly seamless. A massive core of blue and dark fruits collide with white pepper, minerals, firm tannins and a light dusting of salinity. While obviously big, this has a weightless quality and wonderful verve. Wonderful to enjoy now, this outstanding Shiraz will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another fifteen years. But why wait? Drink 2021-2038- 98 — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Deep crimson in colour. Notes of blackberry and other black fruits, quite bold for a Coonawarra (cool climate) Shiraz. In this warmer year of 2008 in South Australia this wine tastes more like a Barossa or McLaren Vale Shiraz than a Coonawarra Shiraz. Dry herbal notes and verging on full bodied. Being a Penfolds Bin No. red it will easily pass 20 years in the cellar. Hasn’t got the usual spice and pepper of a Bin 128 in this warmer year. — 4 months ago

Rina

9.5

Delicious Shiraz. I wasn’t expecting much from it as it’s from the grocery store & was already 5 years old with a twist top instead of cork. I am pleasantly surprised that the taste isn’t sour. This was definitely a win — 4 months ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Gorgeous nose of classic grange. Deep pure plum and tangy fruit. Amazing stuff. — 5 months ago

with Rick

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 2. The 2018 pours a deep purple color with an impenetrable core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: brambles, tobacco, purple flowers, dill, vanilla, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and pretty decadent with a velvety texture. Drink now through 2033. — 7 months ago

Marc Melser

9.3

We had the 2012 Vintage on 2/14-15/25. An excellent Syray with tastes of blackberry, plum, mocha, leather and spice. As time went on the bouquet developed eucalyptus. Full bodied, New World. Fruit forward. I’m glad I gave it 13 years in the bottle. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A rich deep Ruby in colour - right to the rim. Notes of creosote/tar together with blackberry and black currant. You wouldn’t pick its age by looking at it in the glass. The old vine origins giving a great intensity to the palate. This is d’Arenberg’s flagship from their McLaren Vale vineyards - from a warm vintage. I’ll try and have the last one in 2 years if I have the willpower. — 3 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

After a 4 hour decant, this wine is cruisin’ straight into my heart.... Kirsch, blackberries, coffee, dark chocolate, bacon, smoke, and grilled meat. Beautiful spices like black pepper, anise, cumin and cloves.
Maybe just a pinch of alcoholic heat peaking through in the loooong finish...
In the early phase of its drinking window, just starting to show gorgeous savoury nuances, it has a bright and lengthy future ahead.
Oh man, do I love those classically built Australian Stars....
Monumental wine! — 5 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Dark purple/black color. Aromas of cooked black fruit, violets and Asian spices. Blackberry compote, huckleberry, blueberry jam and black plum fruit flavors along with notes of chocolate, black licorice, basil, tobacco, coffee and vanilla. Hint of saline on the long and drawn out finish. High, but not obvious, alcohol (16%). Velvety texture and tannin structure. Plush, bold and powerful. Thanks for sharing, James W. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

As you can see from my previous Delectable notes I normally drink Mollydooker reds, particularly Carnival of Love, on cold nights in Winter. This certainly worked. Aromatics of black plum and other black fruits. The palate is ripe, sweet and full bodied - quite thick and textured. Has come together somewhat after 15 years but still a very powerful McLaren Vale Shiraz. Jeb Dunnuck’s comment of “full bore and hedonistic “ sums it up. This was the #2 wine in Wine Spectators Top 100 of 2012. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

This is a riper style than is normal for Craiglee which is usually quite cold climate peppery. This is full bodied showing blackberry, spice, liquorice and some black pepper. Always a reliable top quality Shiraz. The vineyard is just to the north of Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport in cool climate Macedon. Could see out the 2020s in the Cellar. — 7 months ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.8

Fantastic cult wine that I’ve had the pleasure of trying a couple of times now. Lives up to the hype. Amazing in all aspects. Big but super pretty and just keeps rewarding you with greatness every time you return to you glass. — 7 months ago

Irina Georgieva

9.6

Amazing wine, good balance, great taste. — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous notes on 2 tasting occasions. Coincidentally all at Paros on the Beach Apartments - all 3 tastings. One of my favourite 2nd wines in Australia. Often associated with white pepper, this exhibits more plum and spice. A very good wine and great QPR. — 4 years ago

Chris McClellan

9.0

Big bold delicious with blackberry and blueberry. Minty notes, medicinal, with smoke/vanilla/toast, and some tertiary notes of leather and peppercorn. Tannins smooth, easy to drink...its very tasty, but just too much alcohol in the end..no doubt a long finish, but with that finish, I could blow fire... — 5 years ago

with Ryan