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. — 18 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Out of mag and shipped from the property was in fine shape. Really good.

@Pebble Beach Food & Wine. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 2. The 2018 pours a deep purple color with an impenetrable core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: brambles, tobacco, purple flowers, dill, vanilla, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and pretty decadent with a velvety texture. Drink now through 2033. — 3 months ago

Shane Walker

8.9

Clear, pale lemon colour. Clean, pronounced floral bouquet. Dry, with high acidity and medium bodied. Intense flavours of lime, lemon and citrus blossom. Long finish with significant minerality. A very good wine that would no doubt be better after a few years.

Britannia Restaurant, Queen Anne. In the South Pacific en route from Tonga to New Zealand. — 4 months ago

with Michele

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

NV Australian challenger of champagne — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Margaret River herbaceousness and mint but richer in this excellent vintage with plum and mulberry. This wine is 20 years young and will cellar for another 10 years without a problem. 14% ABV. First planted in 1969. Un-irrigated, Scott Henry trellis. One of the great Moss Woods - up there with 2001. If the Barolo I had yesterday was one of the best reds so far in 2025 this was only a point behind it. — 2 months ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.8

Fantastic cult wine that I’ve had the pleasure of trying a couple of times now. Lives up to the hype. Amazing in all aspects. Big but super pretty and just keeps rewarding you with greatness every time you return to you glass. — 3 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.7

Wow. Just wow

It starts off kinda like a deep and dark Rhône wine with a sweetness and kirsch like flavor but then in the palate it just explodes about 4-5 second later and there is a whole different level of expression.

Wine was best at about 1.5-2 hour decant and actually better without food. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Even though this wine is 27 years old I might have opened this a little early. This will cruise to its 40th birthday without a problem. This was the period when Hunter Valley decided to emulate the big ripe oaky styles of South Australia instead of sticking to the HV medium bodied savoury style which Maurice O’Shea himself pioneered back in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. A palate staining and concentrated palate of profound intensity with a black fruited perfume. An impressive wine but thankfully the Maurice O’Shea Shiraz of the last 10 to 15 years have returned to their medium bodied roots. — 2 months ago

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! — 4 months ago