Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

9.5

Absolutely excellent chardonnay; totally opposite to the fruity brigade that dominates reviewers' minds; this is restraint, mealy, wheaten nose; great maturity though lime green at 7 yrs; 12% alc, hand sorted, mature vines meaning 35+ I guess; taut and true to light- medium category of this variety; has dignity not brashness; long ager too; paired with seafood bouillabaisse; #drinkoz #victorianwine #yarravalley #dixonscreek #debortoli #chardonnay #reserverelease #2008 #12% #maturewine #maturingchardonnay #maturevines — 9 years ago

Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

8.5

One large label from Grant Burge's new upgrade of his 2012 Barossa reds; this the Miamba (vineyard once bare, rejuvenated 1983); Orlando once sold Miamba Hock from riesling in the 70s; same vineyard? AUD 28; great aroma, palate tighter, could be more (egg fined); excellent restraint-direction style (no syrupy texture) #barossa #shiraz #grantburge #miamba #drinkoz — 10 years ago

Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

9.1

Old Victorian riesling from Brown Brothers King Valley sources; colour molasses-gold, did not look drinkable but was; lovely mandarin, brulee, spiced honey glaze; and oh so drying; acid in behind the palate, just thoroughly softened to not cut the gums; paired with flathead; memorable; 13%; last of cork use in 2001 when Clare screwcap initiative conmenced; #drinkvictoria #drinkoz #kingvalley #brownbrothers #riesling #age #ageworthy #aged — 9 years ago

Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

8.8

Old school red, Elderton Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 1999; taste of sunshine, more sunshine, coconut oak, red fruit jam; syrupy fruit texture yet dryness; big stuff; 14%; hola, #drinkoz #sa #barossa #csm #elderton #drinkup; 60%, 30%, 10% — 9 years ago

Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

8.7

Hoffman Barossa; old school style from Rockford; lots of american oak and jubey sunburst fruit; mature and holding; #drinkoz #shiraz #barossa #rockford #hoffman#2005 #svs #specialvineyardselection 14.5% — 9 years ago

Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

9.7

In an era of making cabernets for softies here is one with poise and structure; hard to find but another group gave it a trophy; recognition of completeness at such a young age; has a tannic seam setting it apart from many floppy Coonawarras and Margaret Rivers who think to have claimed the pinnacle; tautly wound flavours of tobacco and olive, no raw fruit flavours only finesse here with a coulis of tastes; Blue Pyrenees Estate #avoca 2012 cabernet 68%, merlot 22%, malbec 8%, shiraz 2% (probably used for topping); #drinkoz #drinkvictoria #pyrenees #bluepyrenees #estateblend 14%, AUD 40 #cabernetsauvignon #merlot #malbec #shiraz ; long ager too, think decades; a wine one must try; tasted alongside Segla 2005 from Margaux in magnum; similar tannins just drier! — 9 years ago