The Champion

Domaine Roulot

Les Luchets Meursault Chardonnay 2017

Jean Marc Roulot has always been a champion of showcasing individual terroir diversity with his terrific village lieux-dits, and the excellent 2017 vintage which has turned out so well for both red and white burg, is just perfect for it. Les Luchets is fantastic tonight, wafting from the glass with layers of white orchard fruit, lilies, hazelnut, spices and attractive matchstick reduction. The palate is pure and vibrant with a crystalline minerality, an elegant texture and notably impressive length. Really great bottle. — 2 years ago

Shay, Jan and 6 others liked this

House of Arras

Grand Vintage Champagne Blend 2008

Tuesday the 26th of January was Australia Day and a public holiday. What better way to celebrate than Australia’s best fizz Arras Grand Vintage from Tasmania. Quite light lemon in colour. Very citrussy and mineral on the nose. 7 years on Lees showing in the complexity of the palate which still shows tension and refreshment. See previous notes for the 2007 which was slightly better and Champion Wine of the Royal Brisbane Show. — 3 years ago

Jan, Scott and 17 others liked this

Franz Keller

Schwarzer Adler Pinot Blanc

Like it. Champion cellars holiday package — 4 years ago

S.C. Pannell

Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo 2016

Smells and looks exactly like a good Langhe. Brick red with aromas of dried cherry, menthol, mint and other herbs. Medium weight palate - M plus tannins; M plus acid - typical again. As good as anything I’ve had as a Rosso from Piedmont. Myself and fellow judges made this the Grand Champion of the Toowoomba Wine Show in 2019. Also Trophy, best other variety red, 2018 Adelaide Hills Wine Show. Have written previously about Steve Pannell’s expertise with alternative varieties. — 2 years ago

Severn, John and 14 others liked this
Jamie Lauder

Jamie Lauder

Mr. McDonald,
This is why I follow you.
Your insight to wine and tasting notes are second to none.
Thank You.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

You are too kind Jamie. We both love wine and like writing about it. Here’s to many good bottles in the future. 👍🍷🍾

Una Lou

Carneros Rosé of Pinot Noir 2019

Erik Helms
9.0

Bottled for the first vintage ever? This previous champion of rosé canned wine is just as pretty from the bottle. Rose petals, Rainier cherries, and ripe strawberries. Pretty tasty and with plenty of acid to keep it interesting. — 4 years ago

Ron, Daniel P. and 5 others liked this

Roland Champion

Carte Blanche Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Bread dough! Apples! Big and round. Very nice for the price — 4 years ago

Quinta do Vallado

Reserva Field Blend Douro Red Blend 2015

Supposed to be a Brasil copa champion wine but not their night. Wine way better than the game. Unlike Brazil tonite this wine is well integrated and smooth. Big nose black fruit dominate. Black berries. Leather. Big mouthfeel. Vanilla but oak not over the top. Love it. Smooth tannins. Dark fruit . Figs. Prefer over their touriga. At least I think I do. Should do head to head tasting. Great wine, shitty game. — 3 years ago

Ania
with Ania

Golden Grove Estate

Vermentino 2020

This won the Trophy for the best White Wine at the Toowoomba Wine Show last weekend and went on to win Champion Wine of the Show. Colour is very pale lemon. Notes of green Apple - skins and flesh, also Lime. The palate has quince and mandarin notes - quite unctuous and fleshy on the palate - low acid and medium plus intensity. Even though the winery is in the Granite Belt/Ballandean the fruit is from Chalmers Vineyard in Mildura in Victoria. The 2020 vintage in Ballandean was probably the most challenging on record with droughts, fires and record low yields. As a result, no Vermentino was harvested at Golden Grove Estate. — 3 years ago

Casey, Ron and 14 others liked this