Bob McDonald

9.2

When in Rome do as the Romans. Currently on Bruny Island south of Hobart and enjoying the local bounty like Oysters and Fish and this lovely Pinot Noir from Pooley who are in the Coal River district. Lovely aromatics of dried red and black cherry with a whole bunch influence. A light to medium weight palate. — 4 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.8

The ‘97 Jamet Côte Brune was hauntingly good captivating us all with its kaleidoscope array of aromas. Coal smoke, tar, bacon fat and scorched earth. Ethereal palate with so much depth, complexity and focused acidity. Very long finish. Ridiculously good for the vintage and definitely the best red of the evening. Jamet Côte Brune with age is the truth. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Consistent notes as 3 previous tastings over 66 weeks. Mid to dark Ruby in colour. Lovely perfume of mature Cabernet with Geranium, mint and berries. Just a medium weight palate (but good intensity) from a cooler climate in the Coal River Tasmania. Beautifully made and drinking at its peak. My last one of 6. It’s a struggle sometimes in Tasmania to ripen Cabernet grapes sufficiently but Domaine A nearly always shows well. — 5 years ago

Daron Watson

9.3

rich and viscous with an array of citrus fruits ~ just enough acidity ~ paired well with my lump meat crab cake — 5 years ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.3

Seriously dark with bursting aromatics of violets, black raspberry, coal and cocoa. Just insanely decadent and perfectly firm. I want to drink one of these each year over the next 15 years. It is so good now but I can only imagine what it will be in the future.
Am I the only one who thinks the Pisoni crew is making even better Syrah than Pinot? Call it croZes hermitage blind with new world richness — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

This Stellenbosch Cabernet blend gets its name from being 393 metres above sea level. Deep Ruby in colour. Aromas of coal dust, liquorice, Tomato Bush, Capsicum and stalky green Notes. On the palate initial impressions were lacking in fruit. More austere than expected. Certainly very different to most Napa Valley Cabernets that I’ve had. Medium bodied. I bought this wine in 2012 at the cellar door and it was quite the trek to drive to de Trafford over many dirt roads. One of the 1001 wines. — 6 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2016 / The 2011 auslese of this wine is the reason I visit the winery. When asked what grape they like better, winegrowers in #franken choose without hesitation for Silvaner. But the #riesling performs masterfully when it is ripe, awesome balance and that ‘touch’ of richness when you know at once: wow, I am drinking a Great Wine! Good balance, nice acidity. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

A buttery style but not overdone. From the over performing Coal River in Tasmania. Currently fruit flavours are subdued but it is very young and will develop. Went well with 6 “delectable “ Cape Bruny oysters grown nearby for an average of 18 months in some of the cleanest waters on the planet. The glass of the Frogmore Chardonnay was too young and was dominated by the fabulous oysters. — 4 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.8

Birthday bottle—A total knockout this was. It remains youthful still, with serious structure, power and concentration. Ripe black fruit, coal smoke, cigar box, bacon and game. It develops and evolves with air strutting its exceptional balance, detail and otherworldly complexity as the night progressed.

There is a rich, round and velvety texture with fine tannins and tremendous intensity and depth. The transition from midpalate to finish is absolute perfection and it’s 30 second finish can make you weak at the knees. A superb showing, and the 1991 vintage does indeed have plenty of life left to live. Bravo. ✨ — 4 years ago

Muralee Murugesu

9.2

This is an impostor (in a great way)! It testes like an old world but it is from Washington state. Amazing crushed berries with a it of char coal and earthy notes. At the end it is still full body new world with great length (30 sec). I believe the producer is from champagne region ( fact check needed). — 5 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. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid to dark ruby in colour with a tawny edge. Lovely perfume with roasted meats, dried flowers, and earthy notes. With time in decanter more barnyard cowyard notes developed, but in no way was this Brett. On the palate ultra savoury but also quite sweet initially. Soft resolved Tannins and ready to drink. Not unlike a top Burgundy with more fire power. After about 6 hours it had developed tarry aromas with coal dust and liquorice. Loved this wine. Usually have our top wine of the week at Sunday lunch. This matched well with Roast Pork. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Have posted previous tasting notes on this wine and vintage. Owned by Melbourne barrister Greg Melick. A couple of years ago I remember banter between @TheSkip and @Bill Bender about the name. If Bill ever becomes a winemaker he can’t take Pressing Matters as already spoken for. This was a stellar Riesling, one of the best for a while. Mid Lemon in colour with absolute clarity. Lime and Lemon flavours with plenty of acidity. Incredible intensity. A beautiful dry Riesling from the Coal River in Tasmania, cruising at 12 years with more life ahead. Traces of paraffin/kerosene on the nose. — 6 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

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

Allemand nightcap! From the terrific wine list at CUT Vegas. Allemand is truly one of my absolute favorite producers and this 07 Reynard from the master was superb. It’s deep, powerful and has a searing intensity. Ethereal and layered with dark fruit, coal smoke, black olive and violets.

There is superb concentration along with a firm tannic structure that is beginning to soften as it approaches its drinking apogee. It’s exceptionally well balanced with an incredibly long, palate saturating and harmonious finish with vivid energy and an elegant purity. WowWw. ☄️ — 4 years ago

Michael Seely

9.4

Mr Roth always insists on the essential nature of Cab Franc, it’s place in the world being nearly perfect. Good extraction, complete fruit on palette. Actually had it with Jory’s version of razor clams on black rossetto.....cold fresh English pea soup infused with local lump crab. — 5 years ago

with Jeff and Joe

MaJ CappS

9.0

Baked cherry scone of a nose,
Leading into a dense, lush wine with gravel, licorice, blackberry, touches of pine and coal tar. Lovely oak/acid integration.
Merry Christmas Stick!
— 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Very minerally traces of coal dust - different and enjoyable. Just had a glass at China Doll Sydney - first visit. The wine was very good. Palate is on the restrained style - worked well with Scallops, Ginger and Shallots. Larry McKenna is an Australian winemaker who has enhanced his reputation at Escarpment. — 6 years ago

Kate Bleasel

9.5

Drank 2009 - still so fresh, lime in colour and zesty in the mouth, but with an undertone of oily aged delight. Fantastic. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale to mid crimson. Aromas of strawberry and earthy minerality - bitumen and coal nuances. Great palate intensity and length with notes of beetroot and earthy root vegetables. Really enjoying other Mornington Peninsula Pinots since visiting there last year. Just as good as the Yarra Valley for Pinot Noir Chardonnay and Syrah I think. — 7 years ago