Bob McDonald

9.5

At the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. A blend of Shiraz, Viognier, Mataro and Marsanne. The original vineyards of Shiraz and Marsanne were established in 1969 with additional vineyards of Mataro and Viognier planted from 1984 to 1995. A lovely red berried perfume (raspberry) with some stalks added back in. Interestingly some fermenters have added frozen Viognier skins to the bottom, some have Marsanne skins. Sarah is always wanting to push the envelope with her winemaking. A classic Rhone style, blended with perfume in mind. Red wine of the year from the Halliday Wine Companion and awarded 99 points from Philip Rich from that publication. — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

From half bottle at what I believe is Australia’s best Cantonese restaurant which is Flower Drum in Melbourne, and has been for 48 years. I had the Chefs banquet of 6 small courses. No notes on the wine but a quality producer from a quality terroir in the Macedon Ranges. Definitely cool climate and on the lean side. Great with food. — 9 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

Fourrier x Australia — 3 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.1

End of Vintage lunch 2021 at Fino Vino. — 4 years ago

Scott Rowe

8.9

A good Pinot.
Options time for the last hooray of V20 — 5 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

8.9

2nd go round on this guy. A light garnet in color. Very subtle nose. A lighter style Pinot that was very complimentary to our salmon. More of a delightful experience the second time around. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Brief notes. Great Pinot from the Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard are an annual event these days. The 2023 vintage has just been awarded Halliday’s Pinot Noir of the year. This wine was pale to mid crimson. Red cherry. Essence of Pinot Noir and one of Australia’s best. The reputation set up by Steve Flamsteed and carried on by Melanie Chester and the new ownership in the USA. Sweet sappy red fruits. Medium weight. Very good. — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Brief notes. Sweet red fruits - raspberry and strawberry. Whole bunch influence. An excellent Yarra Valley Pinot Noir with a proven track record but at the end of the day Applejack Vineyard is marginally in front of Sexton Vineyard IMO. — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Sunday lunch with the annual boys trip away for the Rugby where the Wallabies had a win over Wales last weekend. Lunch at top notch Sydney restaurant Icebergs at Bondi Beach. I picked this one from the extensive Wine List from young gun Joshua Cooper who has some famous neighbours in the Macedon Ranges like Bindi and Curly Flat. This was more full bodied than I was expecting but got the thumbs up from all the Rugby fans who ordered a 2nd bottle. A generous Pinot showing ripe red fruits and plenty of whole bunch character. — 10 months ago

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Good mid palate weight and purity. Red sweet raspberries get swamped in grippy acid and savoury notes. excellent balance. Good but not great p/q — 4 years ago

Lauren Willis

9.5

🍷✔✔ just lovely. Bought from the cellar door — 5 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

Memorial Day Weekend 2018 🇺🇸

Crazy juice...

Oak (light), acidic blackberry, blueberry skin, moist cedar, nice stuff. Revisit 2025+ — 6 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.2

Awesome entry level Pinot. Tremendous value. Great uncomplicated Pinot from a ripping Yarra Valley vintage. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

At my 2015 Chardonnay Challenge the Bindi Quartz was the consensus winner from 6 Chardonnays. Ripe grapefruit and mineral - very balanced. Finishes with a touch of moreish salinity. Quite an achievement to finish No. 1 in this field. — 8 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.5

Amazing! Medium bodied and silky smooth, layers and layers of spice with chocolate. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous notes here in 2018 and 2019. An excellent Chardonnay but probably prefer the Applejack and Sexton Vineyards for Chardonnay. — 10 months ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.3

It’s been a while between Curly pinots. Always a joy to open one, with fond memories attached along with the pleasure of the wine itself. Despite five years from vintage, this is still young and stern but elegant. Clear lines and structure, a spicy, cedary top note amongst red fruit and firm but soft tannins. Clean, I’d call it, plus whole bunch characters. Quality pinot undoubtedly, that should improve even more. — 3 years ago

with Sam

Kapyrick Wine

9.0

V17. Pretty good... opaque color. Smokey nose. Substantial black cherry fruit. Black pepper, chocolate and earthy finish. Nicely balanced . — 4 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.5

On the improve perhaps? Really lovely. Acid ingrained with other phenolic and textural elements. Fine yet generous in flavour. Ripe stone fruit and the kernel. First class. 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽 — 6 years ago

Tim Drury

9.1

At Dave’s — 6 years ago

with Seema