Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid Lemon in colour. On the nose, flinty and funky - nutty (cashew) nuances. Great tension on the palate. Decanter Magazine named this wine as their 2022 White Wine of the Year. Drink the next in a year if I can keep my hands off it. — a day ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Deep crimson with a bluish tinge. Medium to full bodied - palate of cherries, liquorice and spice finishing with fine sandy tannins. I love Shiraz from the Grampians district - home to one of my favourites - Mt. Langhi Ghiran. The first of 2 bottles - next in 2030. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

2008 was the first ever vintage of Bin 150, a Cuvee even to this day not seen often at Penfolds tastings. Chief Penfolds winemaker, Peter Gago said it best when he said, “A definitive Penfolds style based on Grange-quality vineyards and central Barossa terroir. “ When you reflect that most of their best Cuvées are multi regional blends, the Bin 150 from Marananga is somewhat unique. My notes for this wine - Rich dark red and black fruits. The Penfolds stamp of Choc/Mocha - an aristocratic nose showing the product of aged vines and excellent terroir. Will still be drinking well in the 2030s but is thoroughly enjoyable right now. — 10 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Brief notes. Ripe enough for one to confuse this as a new world Pinot Noir from this warmer vintage. Dark fruits on nose and palate. Supple tannins. — a day ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Dried red cherry and balsamic notes with a touch of sage. An excellent Rosso. One of the remarkable features is the location of the vineyard which once fed the Biondi Santi Riservas and is alongside the current Biondi Santi according to former Delectable poster Eric Guido. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A very high quality Brunello - red cherries and mint. Highly awarded by professional tasters - getting 100 points from each of Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling - the latter saying it was the best Brunello he had ever tasted, which is a big call. Last bottle in 2030. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See previous note in November 2024. Same notes still apply. Rich cherry and spice. Previous note said drink the last one in mid 2026, so I was close and the previous notes still apply. Morrell said that 2016 is “without a doubt, the finest vintage for Chianti Classico.” Excellent. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

Fresh and pristine even at 10 years of age. Arguably Australia’s best Riesling - certainly in the top 3. Aromatics of lime juice with a tiny hint of TDN (paraffin in this case) and a hint of honey. Overall ultra pure with M+ intensity and a touch of peach on the palate. This could be confidentally cellared for another 5 years for added complexity. Dry Riesling doesn’t get much better than this. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Barb and I first tasted this wine at the winery in a structured tasting, as the 2019 vintage on 31 March 2021 and it was very impressive. A couple of years later I bought 6 bottles of the 2021 and this is the 2nd of those 6. Made by the dream team of Michael Hill-Smith (Australia’s first MW), David LeMire MW plus winemakers Martin Shaw and Adam Wadewitz. Appley notes, noticeable funk. More detailed notes over the course of the next 4 bottles in the next few years. A class act from the Adelaide Hills. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

The 3rd of the Hurley Cuvées from Mornington Peninsula - the other 2 being Garamond and Hommage. I have Delectable notes on the latter two Cuvées. This wine was pale Ruby in colour - transparent. Nose of red cherry. Oak very much in the background. Light weight on the palate but full of flavour with M+ intensity. Hurley consider Lodestone to be the warmest of the three sites and provides us with the most powerful and structured of the wines. — 12 days ago