Bob McDonald

9.5

Magpie Hill is the Reserve range from Dukes which is in the Porongurups, a sub district in the Great South of West Australia. The stony poor granitic soils giving concentrated wines. This producer possibly better known for its outstanding Rieslings has kicked a goal with this beautiful Shiraz. This has a very deep Ruby colour with a purple tinge. Smoky oak and mocha with ripe fruit - 14.5% ABV. Concentrated. Full bodied but not heavy- soft fine tannins. Made by the talented Rob Diletti who is their neighbour from his winery Castle Rock. Great value. — 8 days ago

Hemal Patel

9.6

Great wine gift from Rob! — 5 years ago

Alec Jeffery

9.0

Dark red fruits but not plumps, creamy and rich on the palate, good acid, wood still in play, but great balance, a sleeper. — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

69 Miles – Chardonnay 2024
Yolo County, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An entry-level label of Lloyd Cellars, this Chardonnay showcases Rob Lloyd’s signature richness at a more approachable price point. The name 69 Miles represents the exact distance from the vineyard source to the winery’s crush pad—a nod to the precision and timeliness in harvesting and processing that preserves freshness.

Aromas & Flavors
Concentrated notes of mango, pear, and white peach lead, accented by buttercream and a touch of vanilla. The wine balances ripe fruit intensity with a gentle creaminess, offering opulence without heaviness.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied, creamy yet lifted, with a crisp streak of acidity that carries through the finish. The contrast between richness and freshness makes it both indulgent and food-friendly.

Winemaking Notes
Crafted under the careful hand of Rob Lloyd, known for his polished California Chardonnays. Though positioned as an entry-tier, the attention to vineyard sourcing and quick-to-crush handling gives this wine a high-quality edge.

Food Pairing
Perfect with roasted chicken, creamy pasta primavera, or seared scallops. Its tropical fruit core also plays beautifully with spiced dishes like Thai curry.

The Verdict
An affordable but well-crafted Chardonnay that delivers Lloyd’s signature plush style while keeping a refreshing edge. Proof that even at the entry-level, care in sourcing and timing can result in standout quality.

✨ Personal Highlight: I love how the story of 69 miles reflects vineyard-to-winery precision—it makes the wine’s freshness and balance even more meaningful. A perfect example of how detail in winemaking can elevate even an “everyday” label. Cheers! — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Tasted blind, presented by Sue Bell. I picked Riesling, Australian and missed Porongurups WA. A brilliant Riesling made by Rob Diletti at Castle Rock WA. Lovely aromatics of Musk and Bath Talc. At 5 years the acid had settled and the citrus was going towards stone fruit. Really enjoyed this. — 5 years ago

Joe Boyd

9.4

Truly enjoyed — 5 years ago

Lucas Richter

8.9

Very light, nice and smooth. Easy drinker — 2 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.1

Very solid and authentic pinot. Funky savoury nose full or cedar spice and forest floor. Good weight. Lively. Nice pure sweet strawberry and red cherry flavour profile - similar to Giant Steps, but with high toned acid. Buy — 4 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Deep ruby color. Aromas of blackberry, plum, violets, vanilla and baking spices. Delicious red and black fruit on the palate with a black tea finish. Paired nicely with some steaks and baked potatoes. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Consistent notes from a year ago when we visited the winery in Porongurup WA and spent a wonderful hour with Owner and winemaker Rob Diletti. I love these cool climate peppery Shirazes. Should leave having the next one for a couple of years. — 5 years ago