Bob McDonald

9.6

See 3 previous Delectable notes. A brilliant Cabernet from an excellent producer, and a great vintage in Margaret River. Cassis, black currant and dried herbs on nose and palate. The complete package, great balance, and going strong at 15 years. Still powerful and tasting youthful. Manages to be ripe and elegant at the same time. Not sure how long I will leave drinking the last bottle. Hard to beat right now. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See many previous Delectable notes but not for this vintage. As stated previously one of Australia’s best Pinots A very aromatic nose of red and black cherry together with root vegetables particularly beetroot. Raspberry flavours - a sweetish palate with a savoury twist. An excellent Tasmanian Pinot Noir and a regular purchase. Also capable of extended cellaring - I recall having a 15 year old one once but it’s hard to resist right now. — 3 years ago

Paul J

9.1

Great everyday Chard. More vibrant and acidic than previous bottles. Apples, pears, and a hint of lemon. Solid. — 3 years ago

with Brooke

Paul J

9.1

White in color with a gold hue. Flowers, veggies, and melons. Crisp and tart. Very nice. Similar to previous notes. — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Bob McDonald

9.2

See previous note from 73 weeks ago on March 2020. One of Australia’s great cool climate Shiraz. Noted for its spice and white pepper. Red fruited on the medium bodied palate and made in the historic blue stone winery which first made wine in 1860. Back then it was a vineyard surrounded by sheep but now Melbourne’s major airport, Tullamarine, is 20 minutes to the south. Wonderful balance and long living made by Pat Carmody and wife Dianne since 1976 after they replanted much of the vineyard. More in the style and weight of Burgundy than the Rhone. In the Langtons Classification under Excellent. Had another bottle 73 weeks later on the 5th January 2023 which didn’t show as well as it normally does. A touch of astringency. Going through a “dumb phase “? 88 points for latest tasting. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy Spring! It’s one of our favorite points in the year. More; daylight, a little warmer in CA and everything starts to bloom which, means a long summer of gardening and being outdoors every day/night is not far off.

Since it was such a great day and basically most Californians are shut-Ins, the voluntary self quarantining was getting to me. I did the landscaping and got an afternoon of fresh air today. A breath of fresh air...ahhh! Wow, was it needed after Gavin’s Newsom’s estimate of 25.5 million Californians would be infected with Coronavirus over 8 weeks yesterday.

So, a good night to celebrate another day of being virus free with my 2nd favorite N/V Rosé Champagne.

All my numerous previous notes apply.

Stay safe everyone and remember the new terminology of the new decade...social distancing! Cheers! 🍾🥂

Photos of; Spring in our backyard & a Billecart Grand Cru Vineyard.

— 5 years ago

Paul J

9.7

Same as previous notes... — 5 years ago

with Brooke

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Long day cleaning & painting getting our rental property getting it ready for our new tenant. We are burnt but, a glass of Ruinart Rosé always perks us up.

We’ll be doing this a lot over the next two weeks. Hope everyone has better weekend plans than we do! Cheers!🥂

All my previous notes apply.

Photos of; the House of Ruinart, painting of Dom Thierry Ruinart, their caves & one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Pound for pound, ounce for ounce, the best Blanc de Blanc champagne for the money and then some! IMHO!

All previous notes apply. — 7 years ago

with Christina and James

Anthony Lombardi

9.2

As they always do, a singular & outstanding take on a difficult vintage. 2003 was hot & this wine is more powerful and robust than previous Tondonia. That said, 30 minutes in the decanter has this one open for business & delivering that distinct spicy fruit & structured textural expression. Will certainly cellar some, but this is good to go. — 9 years ago

Paul J

9.3

Always great! See previous note. — 3 years ago

with Brooke

Mike Saviage

9.7

Dark tawny center with amber color and clear rims. Barely translucent. Massive nose of tobacco and Cuban cigar with notes of sweet black fruit, moist dark soil, unsweetened chocolate, pencil lead, old cedar desk wood and a little barnyard. Great mouth feel and texture. Very much alive. Opened and slow-ox’d for a few hours, then put in a decanter an hour before. This powered up all night. Last sip was the best. I’ve probably had more LB than any other Bordeaux (young and old, mostly old), and this was head and shoulders better than any previous bottle. Great juice! — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2017 vintage. A little leaner than previous visit in September 2021. No less delicious tho. — 3 years ago

Aravind A

9.7

Stunning, and even better on day 2. See previous notes. — 4 years ago

Paul J

9.2

Similar to previous notes. Always good and complex. — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Bob McDonald

9.9

A rich crimson in colour with a little bricking developing - a tawny rim. Aromas of cassis, plum and dark chocolate on the nose. Smooth and silky with black currant - totally balanced with resolved tannins. The proverbial iron fist in the velvet glove - great density. See previous notes - I’ve never seen this for sale in Australia. Bought this from Vinfolio in San Francisco and was immediately impressed. A world class new world Cabernet - just gorgeous. 100 points from Robert Parker and also Jeb Dunnuck - tempted to do the same - I settled on 99. The best wine I’ve had this year. — 4 years ago

Dawn E.

9.2

Yep you saw that price tag correctly 😱!! My favorite wine stop in Iowa City decided these were not moving! So I ever so graciously took the last three off of his hands!
@David T I was slightly concerned...no temp/climate control..just sitting on the shelf (thoughts?). Chance it I did and nothing off with this Tempier!
Delicious as always previous notes apply!
Lucky I am! 👍😁🤷‍♂️ — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

It’s Friday and that always and forever calls for Champagne.

This is an amazing Blanc de Blanc Champange for $24.99. What a QPR! It’s like stealing.

Previous notes apply.

Happy Friday & weekend!!!

Photos, we are kicking in those chairs, full yard candlelight with the Baron and watching the World Series. It’s a good Friday and not in the complete religious sense but, close. Cheers!🥂 — 6 years ago

Jeremiah

8.9

2016 vintage, excellent consistency with previous years, bright tartness with a sweet and tangy nectarine finish, do not overchill this lovely fruity white — 8 years ago

Bradley Brown

Owner/Winemaker Big Basin Vineyards

8.9

Ripeness seems more in check than previous vintages. Beautiful texture and length. — 12 years ago

Paul J

9.5

Always awesome! See previous notes. — 3 years ago

with Brooke

Bob McDonald

9.4

A cellar release from Dry River I bought a few years ago. Mid to deep crimson with a hint of tawniness. Great intensity - ripe strawberry - liquorice notes - savoury and sweet at the same time. A strange thing to say but it doesn’t scream Pinot Noir. Grainy tannins. Similar experience as with previous Dry River Pinots to be robust, muscular and contained. Following day big and savoury - I stand by yesterday’s note. A great drink but lacks Pinosity. At least Bob Campbell MW liked it giving it 99 points. — 3 years ago

ESF

9.4

See previous notes, another year gone by and this wine keeps getting better w/long life ahead. Fred Scherrer is a genius — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See 2 previous notes - the most recent in February last year which is consistent with this tasting. Easily the most concentrated and rich Cabernet I’ve ever had from Tasmania. Mint, coffee beans, cassis and Cocoa on the nose. Medium plus bodied. Seamless. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance being Merlot Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot 4/4/2. Growing ripe Cabernet in Tasmania is achievable if you get the right site. — 3 years ago

Paul J

8.9

Always solid. See previous notes. Green elements that were more integrated into the fruit. Medium depth. — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Best Rose 🌹 in the world? The 17 was quite acidic. So it needs time. But the 18 is a total blow out wow. It lacks the herbaceous character of the previous vintages. Close your eyes and you think this is red Burgundy. A Volnay? Orange rind a potpourri of red fruit dark 🍒 raspberry cranberries,....But also Mexican limes. Fresh. Spectacular and as far as I know unfortunately only available from Lyle Fass. Sells out fast. A revelation and must know for any serious Pinot lover. I hope some of you will have at some point the opportunity to try wines from E&M. — 5 years ago

Paul J

9.3

Always lovely! 375ml. Similar to previous notes. — 5 years ago

with Brooke

Jim Wagonfeld

9.0

Drink more Galician wines. See previous notes. — 5 years ago

with Judy

Adam Eagan

9.3

Have had this wine more than a few times over the years. All the classic Oaked Cali components are there. This vintage showing a little less floral quality than previous vintages. Beautiful fruit, pineapple, butterscotch, popcorn kernel, vanilla and bright acidity. Really a pretty wine. Very hookable!!😍 — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

a classic Bordeaux style blend, previous older vintages they omitted Petit Verdot. Pouring a glass I noticed a deep purple wine with ruby edges and aromas of red and dark fruit with cedar spice notes. The palate showed ripe blackberries, blueberries and sweet red berry fruit, with sweet and savory oak notes. Very approachable for a 2013, but it needs 30 minutes to open up. On the finish tannins were smooth and firm, showing some minerality on the long finish. Faust wines do not disappoint, even when young. — 9 years ago