Bob McDonald

9.5

A mid straw yellow in colour. Aromas are lemon and lime, lemongrass, mineral, wet hay with toastiness and lanolin starting to emerge at 13 years of age. Light bodied but great intensity - a richer texture for a Semillon, bearing in mind that this wine sees no oak at all - stainless steel all the way. Only 11% alcohol. Luckily I have 4 bottles left - a cellar life extending to 2030+. — 5 months ago

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

9.4

A dense Ruby in colour. Black currant, dark plum, mocha, dark chocolate, and cigar box. The Penfolds Cabernet DNA if you like. Dense and powerful. This wine at 20 years of age is just a pup. The “Rewards of Patience “ has a window to 2045+. I’ll probably have the next one in 10 years or so. The release price of the latest vintage is now over $600 - too expensive IMO. Apparently substantial material from the old Block 42 in the blend - planted in the 1880’s. — 9 months ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

10

Deep virtually opaque blackberry shade. Absolutely beautiful with intoxicating aromas of berries, warming spice, bay leaves and black cherries. It’s rich and juicy in the mouth. Drinking beautifully however with patience this wine will be even more amazing 🤩 #sample #opinionsaremyown — 4 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

My first sparkler from Tasmania nice seems like Pinot Noir fruit very clean very enjoyable -not a lot of yeast Autolysis but seems well made going great with cheese plate — 4 years ago

Rajveer Singh Bedi

8.9

Don't judge a book by its cover is all i will say — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.8

Still celebrating that LNP win in the Qld State election. Deep crimson with a tawny meniscus. Dense and rich on nose and palate. Blackberry, mocha and dark plum as mentioned in prior notes. Very balanced with nothing protruding. At 34 years of age the oak has totally integrated when in its youth it was prominent, like many Penfolds reds. Supple mouth feel and incredible palate length. Previous notes mention that this was Wine Spectators Wine of the Year and definitely put Grange on the map in the USA. 95% Shiraz, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Unreal! 98 points. — 6 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Medium ruby color. Aromas of dark chocolate, brick, plum, blackberry and lead. Fantastic wine from South Africa! Full of dark fruit and minerals. — 7 months ago

KP

8.9

Little to no aroma, which is odd. Lots of plum and blackberry. Low tannins. Enjoyable and balanced finish, which surprised me. No wonder this wine is so popular. Feels like great value for the price point. — 2 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.2

Big nose of blueberry, blackberry, chocolate and a slight tinge of spice from the higher alcohol this is a great first foray into Australian Shiraz. The body is big, with meaty and smoky notes prominently opening up with powdery tannins lingering throughout, as well as a pleasant spice and flavors of plums, coffee and rich red fruits rounding out the taste. Really a great wine that still tastes awesome after being open a while. — 3 years ago

with Tiva

GHol

9.0

Love, love, love this wine from an ex maker of the revered Penfolds Grange and instigator of RWT.
A gem of a wine that punches well above its price point. 18 was a good vintage but this is already drinking well with some development. It’s going to be stellar in 6-8 years. — 4 years ago

Kristina Jarcía

9.8

Cassis, Kakao, butter, more presence than others, own character, it feels good, strong and a bit spicy. Ammersee. An honest wine. It can join you in any evening. An amazing wine. A bit bitter in the end. Your gf/bf will fall in love with you if you share it with her/him. A piece of cake. Amazing. — 5 years ago

with Max

Randy Fuller

9.5

This wine offers a nose of black and blue berries, shoe leather and a hint of black olives. It’s a deep, rich bouquet. The flavors are similarly dark, with berries leading the way again. Black pepper and a nutmeg note also appear, with the fruit staying long on the finish. There is a good tannic structure, easily enough for a steak or beef stew. The oak regimen was nearly all used barrels, so the oak effect is quite nice, not a bit overdone.
— 5 years ago

Selfvingster

9.4

I received a bottle of Rockford as a 40th birthday gift, a wine I wasn’t familiar with at the time. After five years of aging, I opened it in the company of good friends – and what an experience! A rich and well-balanced wine, with intense flavors of berries and plums that really impressed. Wow, a wine that captivates with its harmony and depth. — 7 months ago

with Henrik, Gus and 1 other

Bob McDonald

9.6

The final wine at the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday night 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. Fitting that Dry Red No. 1 should be the final wine - arguably the Jewel in the Crown. Initial aromatic impressions are gorgeous. This is the 50th vintage of Dry Red No. 1. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Brief notes - blackberry, aniseed and bay leaf. A medium bodied Cabernet with M+ intensity and finishing with fine boned tannin structure. Power with poise, concentration with finesse. Will live for 20 years plus. I have been buying on an irregular basis for many years. The 1990 was a highlight. I asked Sarah, who was Chairman of the Royal Sydney Wine Show this year to compare 3 of the main Cabernet producing areas in Australia - Yarra Valley leafy fragrance, Coonawarra Mint, and Margaret River herbaceousness. At Restaurant Dan Arnold. — 7 months ago

Tre Simone

9.1

One of my favorite sparkling rosé’s — 3 years ago

Malcolm Trimble

9.1

Dark ruby. Intense dark fruit nose. On the palate notes of cherry, blackberry, plum, hint of vanilla. Nice bold finish with a little spice. This is a really good wine. — 3 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.8

The 2018 Mollydooker ‘The Velvet Glove’ Shiraz is a utterly sensational bottling that rivals any wine of its kind. Aged in all new American oak, this shows a gorgeous bouquet from blueberry pie to espresso grounds, graphite and toasty oak tones that all impress. The palate is deep and utterly seamless. A massive core of blue and dark fruits collide with white pepper, minerals, firm tannins and a light dusting of salinity. While obviously big, this has a weightless quality and wonderful verve. Wonderful to enjoy now, this outstanding Shiraz will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another fifteen years. But why wait? Drink 2021-2038- 98 — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

A very dense Ruby in colour. Aromas of coconut oak - very oaky - a match I guess with the ultra ripe red and black fruits - pruney notes. Ultra concentrated McLaren Vale Shiraz writ large! Full bodied and rich - a winter wine par excellence. Medium minus acid. Right to drink this now or the next year or two. This wine was #2 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2014. A great match with Beef Brisket on a cold night. 16% ABV. — 5 years ago

Heather Robinson

9.0

Nice flavor, similar to other Molly Dooker wines we’ve had. Jammy with a touch of fruit - had at our home wine tasting - not sure of cost — 5 years ago