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

Brandyn Pryce

8.9

From Costco, and perhaps their best wine currently on the shelf. Zesty undertones to rich tree fruits, and perhaps stone fruit presence. Could drink this all day. — 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

Boris Plutov

8.9

Sauvignon Blanc Day — 6 months ago

with Irina

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

Dennis Hogenkamp

9.5

Strawberry on palate and nose. — 5 years ago

Rick Baraff

9.1

That’s some nice drinkin’ stuff (circa 2017). Thanks to the local somm, Steve, at our Whole Foods for the recom... it was their last bottle and he sacrificed. — 6 years ago

Susan w

9.3

8/11/17 - just wanted we needed on a Friday evening! ❤️ — 8 years ago

Paul Mason

9.3

Always great. — 10 years ago

Patrick Dolan

9.7

Aroma of rich berries. Smooth and slightly sweet with a sour note. Very good. — 12 years ago

Dimitris Karyamis

10

One of the best Sauv. Blanc. Really recommend, great value for money! — 4 months 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

Joe DAscoli

9.1

Solid and fully robust — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A pale lemon yellow in colour - quite youthful looking for a 12 year old Chardonnay. Aromatics of white peach - mealy and nutty notes, still with a nice acid cut at the finish. Drinking at its peak. Fuller than some Marg River Chardonnays I’ve had lately like Xanadu and Fraser Gallop. I have had richer Art Series Chardonnays but personally I love the balance in this. Tasted in May 2025 the first bottle. Had my 2nd last bottle on 20th September 2025 and it was utterly delicious. Stone fruit and dried pear character to the fore. I will have my last bottle in the coming summer or early 2026 and will make a fresh Delectable note. — 6 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

Richard Jayson

9.0

Totally enjoyable. Steamers and salmon. — 5 years ago

Sage Shimoda

9.1

Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2012
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Paul Hobbs is one of the greatest producers of California pinot noir. Opulent, floral and fruits forward in youth. This is my 2nd bottle of 2012 since 2015. The fruits have somewhat settled down. I remember my first experience with this floral, beautiful wine as clearly as if it had happened just yesterday.
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カリピノの魅力を教えてくれたPaul Hobbsのピノノワール。3年前(2015年)に開けて以来の2本目。香り高く、華やかでフルーツ感が前面に出ていたあのピノは、落ち着いた感じになっていました。このピノに関して言えば、3年前に飲んだ時のあの華やかな香りが忘れられないなー。
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#wine #napavalley #pinotnoir #russianrivervalley #paulhobbs #californiawine #2012 #california #napa #agingpotential #ワイン #カリフォルニアワイン #赤ワイン #ポールホブス #ピノノワール #カリピノ — 7 years ago

Patrick Miller

9.0

Favorite daily bottle — 10 years ago

Mike Lee

Beverage Manager/Sommelier Catch Miami

9.0

Nice red, black fruit and cola notes. Savory herbs and organic earth mid-palate and on the finish. High alcohol takes it out of balance a bit. Needs time. — 11 years ago

Rhett Butler

9.1

Red Salt, Kauai — 13 years ago

Sagee Aran

8.9

On the jammy side. Too overwhelming — 3 months ago

Kirsten Beverly

9.5

Smooth but welcomed acidic. Triangular. Stone fruit - more-so peach. Peppery with a hint of smoke on very end. Doesn’t overstay its welcome. If it was sweet it would a dessert. — 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. — 4 months ago

Conrad Green

9.7

This is exceptional. Harmonious and intense. Light and precise. Great Syrah. Not too hot. Purity and the fruit is fantastic. I love this. Wow — 5 months ago

with Rick

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Another solid vintage of this South African Bordeaux-Style red. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (49%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petite Verdot (3%). Aromas of black fruit, vanilla and dried rose petals. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, mulberry, black cherry, dried herbs and minerals. Lengthy finish and full bodied. Soft tannins and well structured. Nicely aged and quite elegant. — 6 months ago

Galen Hasler

9.2

Complex flavors of chamomile, melon, white stone fruits with skin contact structure, dry and crisp — 10 months ago

Kevin C

9.0

Licorice, acid, nice tannins. A little pucker afterwards. Good wine with dinner. Very good, but maybe not worth the $40 price tag. 2016 — 6 years ago

Michael Mathews

9.6

Holy smokes. This is the best of Australian Barossa valley wine. This Shiraz was gifted to me 13 years ago by a good friend, Ron Candy - a gentleman of gentleman. A true Ozzie with a heart of gold. It was on this date too, while I was living in Sydney, 13 years ago that I lost my friend, my golf buddy, my business partner and father-in-law Herb Schimeneck to the wicked complications and consequences of cancer. If you’re drinking tonight, and so moved, raise a glass to Ron, and especially to Herb - two great men that helped me became a better version of myself than I could have imagined or hoped for. Cheers to you all.....my friends today and of tomorrow. — 8 years ago

with PJ, Sonia and 5 others

Michael Muehlbauer

9.3

Let it open and you will enjoy — 10 years ago

Patrick Dolan

9.7

Smell of cherry oak and vanilla. Very smooth taste and finish. Touch of acidity and well balanced with nice longer finish. — 12 years ago