Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid to pale crimson - actually transparent. The pale colour belies the aromatic and palate intensity. Aromatics of cherry and raspberry transforming on to the medium bodied sweet red fruited palate. A touch of Sous Bois. An excellent Pinot as always from the Applejack Vineyard from Giant Steps. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

I remember having this wine for the first time in a restaurant outdoors under a tree for lunch in Gigondas with the family many years ago. It was a Wow wine. I have since collected a few bottles and decided to have this one over the weekend with Lamb Shanks. Nose not giving a lot initially but eventually a red and black fruited savoury perfume. Such concentration and richness on the full bodied palate featuring raspberry, plum and spice finishing with supple tannins in this predominantly Grenache blend. The previous bottle I had of this in Australia had notes of barnyard and manure (possibly traces of Brett) but no sign of that in this bottle. Always a treat to have a Bonneau Celestins. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Celebrating my Birthday last night with Roast Lamb. This was a deep crimson in colour - very dark for its age. Aromatics of blackberry, plum, mulberry and mocha. The palate is very Penfolds - black fruits, mocha and chocolate. Opulence and concentration are the key words. Never ponderous or over bearing. Palate staining intensity yet medium to full bodied weight. Great palate length and persistence finishing with supple seamless tannins. At least another 20 years in the drinking window - Penfolds say through to 2055!! Overall - one of the world’s great red wines in a superb vintage. — 19 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A highly awarded Grenache from McLaren Vale made by the talented Peter Fraser. Sweet red earthy fruits but not overly raspberry as Aussie Grenache often is. Has a lovely sweet smooth texture. James Halliday awarded this wine his Wine of the Year in 2020 and 99 points. Vines planted in 1946 in ancient sandy soils ideal for this Grenache. If not Australia’s best Grenache then certainly in the conversation. The main reason we drank this wine a few days ago was to remember Peter Fraser who sadly passed away unexpectedly in a tragic house fire. — 5 days ago

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. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Initially sooty, tarry notes with dried herbs and garrigue generally. The mid weight palate has sweet ripe red and black fruits typical of the 2015 vintage with spice and a little pepper. A lovely wine and a faithful rendition of a quality CdP. — 15 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Dense Ruby. Black Pepper, dried herbs and dried meat. Not all savoury - also a nice sweetness- plum and other dark fruits. I noticed my notes when I first tasted this at the winery Cellar Door in Christmas 2019 - “My kind of Shiraz”. Outstanding. Trophy for best West Australian Red at Royal Perth Wine Show; 96 points from Ray Jordan. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Bought at the Cellar door in 2020 and although this is made as a drink now style it was still holding up nicely in its 6th year when we drank it a few days ago. Bright pink in colour - unusually for a Rose this is a Cabernet Shiraz blend. Stewed red fruits - cherries and strawberries. Enjoyable unfussy drinking. — 12 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Regarded as Grossets 2nd Riesling after Polish Hill but really a different style. This was fuller with more mid palate weight and less austere at this age than the PH - the latter generally being more long living. Lime juice with a little grape fruit on the palate - finishing very dry. This will last a few more years in the cellar, still with mouth puckering citric acid to finish off. Unfortunately this is my last bottle. — 15 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Notes of mandarin on both nose and palate. Not a skerrick of TDN - clean and pure. Almost off dry in the light to medium bodied palate with peachy notes developing. Tastes a lot younger than 11 years. One of the most isolated vineyards in the remote terroir of Frankland River. The wine is aptly named as “Isolation Ridge”. — 21 days ago