Bob McDonald

WSET Level 3 Pass with Distinction.

4724 wines • 320 followers • 222 following

Bass Phillip

The Estate Pinot Noir 2016

9.3

A typically good Bass Phillip Estate PN from a good vintage. Mid red in colour with a tawny hint. Aromatics of stewed red fruits with Sous Bois/compost heap. Dried herbs. The palate is delicious showing those savoury red fruits finishing with silky tannins. All coming together at 10 years of age. Sadly my last bottle from this vintage. — 2 days ago

David, "Odedi" and 7 others liked this

David White

@Bob McDonald restocking is getting very pricey the 2022 Bass Phillip Reserve PN is now about $A 1200 or about $US 800 😮

Bob McDonald

@David White Yes the price of the Reserve has gone through the roof since Phillip Jones sold to the Burgundians. I must admit to buying some in previous vintages when it was around $500/$600 but not now. The Premium is still worth it.

Bob McDonald

That’s Aussie $s.

Guímaro

Finca Meiximán Ribeira Sacra Mencía 2018

Bob McDonald

9.2

I didn’t make any notes but I have always enjoyed the Mencia grape from Ribeira Sacra. 80% Mencia and 20% other Spanish varietals including Brancellao, Garnacha and 4 others. Mineral, liquorice and black fruits. I will have the last one later in 2026. — 13 days ago

David, Serge and 18 others liked this

Leeuwin Estate

Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2015

Bob McDonald

9.5

Quite a light to mid lemon in colour for its 11 years of age. Nutty (almond and cashew) aromas. Oak has integrated. The palate shows those same nutty notes together with that trademark pear character with white nectarine. Overall still youthful. My remaining 3 bottles will easily see out this decade. — 14 days ago

ESF, Pooneet and 20 others liked this

Tom Casagrande

Impressive!

Doug Powers

Love the Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay. That downstairs art gallery at Leeuwin Estate with all those paintings is amazing!!

Bob McDonald

@Doug Powers They also have great concerts there. I remember one year the London Philharmonic (I think) was drowned out by the kookaburras at various times!

Grosset

Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2017

Bob McDonald

9.6

Often the Grosset Polish Hill doesn’t live up to its billing as perhaps Australia’s finest dry Riesling but with this 2017 it probably exceeds expectations. It is simply fabulous. Some ripe lusciousness to the mid palate amid lime and lemon notes, but finishes bone dry. My first of 4 bottles so I will enjoy the journey over the next 5+ years if I can keep my hands off it. HH said it is shaping up as one of the greatest Polish Hill Rieslings. — 10 days ago

Jan, Ira and 22 others liked this

Domaine Méo-Camuzet

Clos Rognet Corton Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2015

Bob McDonald

9.1

A small holding of ancient vines within old stone walls and near Faiveley’s Clos des Cortons. Reasonably light for a Grand Cru. A light to medium weight palate but with Medium + intensity. Spice, Plum and earthy notes. I disagree with Burghound’s assessment of being a big wine. I found it to be light. It did have silky tannins but overall somewhat disappointing. Certainly from a prestigious producer. I have had better experiences with Faiveley’s Clos des Cortons (see notes on Delectable). — 12 days ago

Scott@Mister, David and 21 others liked this

Chatto Wines

Franklinii Pinot Noir 2021

Bob McDonald

9.1

Limited notes but this was made by one of Australia’s best winemakers in Jim Chatto who used to be Chief Winemaker at Mount Pleasant before establishing his own winery in Tasmania. This shows cranberry and raspberry. From the excellent 2021 vintage. Delectable: this is the Franklinii cuvee - not in your database. — 14 days ago

Tom, Ron and 15 others liked this

David White

@Bob McDonald Really miss the old school Mount Pleasant wines, lots of good things happening in Tasmania though 👍

De Bortoli

Noble One Botrytis Sémillon 2013

Bob McDonald

9.0

From half bottle. Generally regarded as Australia’s best “sticky “ (dessert style). Colour getting darker (burnished copper). Drank some with plum pudding on Christmas Day and finished it yesterday with Duck Pate and crackers, having returned from a week in Mossman and the Daintree in FNQ. Aromas of Apricot and over ripe pear. A generous mid palate with diminished acid. Time to drink this. Only 10.5% ABV. — 22 days ago

Andrew, Peter and 18 others liked this

Bob McDonald

@Peter van den Besselaar That’s quite the accolade Peter but I wouldn’t be keeping it for many more years.

Peter van den Besselaar

@Bob McDonald thanks. After tasting 2001 six years ago, I was determined to lay this in the cellar. I bought 2014. Will try this year.

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, jealous about your excursion to the Daintree, love that area. There is a tea plantation there that I love called Daintree Tea, volcanic soil, that I’m able to get in California (at one time a SD sales agent, now direct from the estate)!! Thanks for mentioning the Daintree!!

Rippon Vineyard

Mature Vine Lake Wanaka Pinot Noir 2010

Bob McDonald

9.5

This was rich and delicious. It was fair enough for Suckling to pose the question “Is this the best NZ Pinot so far”? Ticks all the requisite boxes - ripe red and black fruits, a creamy texture, a nice garrigue herbal note. This Pinot lives up to the gorgeous site - one of the most awesome views you will see from the top of the vineyard over Lake Wanaka. Most impressive. — 10 days ago

Jan, Ira and 20 others liked this

Somm David T

Jo is a great host with one of the best winery views in the world. Wines don’t suck either.

Philippe Chavy

Les Pucelles Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Chardonnay 2014

Bob McDonald

9.1

Very good but for a palate used to top quality Australian Chardonnay, not worth the value of $304 on Wine Searcher. A savoury lemony note - general citric notes. The palate was mid weight but with good intensity. Overall a delicate feel to the wine. Probably shows the class of the Les Pucelles Premier Cru vineyard. Have the last bottle in a year or two. Expected more from the 2014 vintage. — 12 days ago

David, Scott@Mister and 21 others liked this

Bob McDonald

@Peter van den Besselaar Absolutely. Thanks Peter.

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, I agree with @Peter van den Besselaar ‘s comment as well.

Bob McDonald

@Doug Powers 👌

Ravenscroft Vineyard

Reserve Sagrantino 2022

Bob McDonald

9.0

I’m in a non purchase mode at present but following a brief visit to the Stanthorpe/Ballandean wine growing district in the Granite Belt we caught up with young couple who bought Ravenscroft winery - Caitlin and Nick Roberts. Caitlin is an old school friend of my daughter Georgie and I had to support them. This Sagratino is one of several Italian and other varietals grown in their vineyards. This is highly savoury and food friendly - juicy, red fruited and tannic. A very good effort and comparable in quality with the Umbrian based Sagrantinos I have had. — 17 days ago

Tom, Pooneet and 17 others liked this

Anthony De Blasi

Same here, I’m currently drinking Sangiovese from S Africa. Initially I reacted quite snobbish when seeing the bottle but had to be humble when I tasted it.

Bob McDonald

@Anthony De Blasi Yes, this winery was previously owned by a South African chap and has plantings of Pinotage - quite extensive for an Australian winery. They are “small batch” vignerons and also have plantings of Petit Verdot, Nero d’Avola and Viognier. I think their decision to plant these different varietals rather than Shiraz and Chardonnay was a wise one. They need to be charging around $50 to $60 a bottle so need to be different yet maintaining high quality.

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, your insights are spot on, I keep hearing about wine folks closing down completely, trying to sell into an extremely soft market, etc. I’ve always tried to support folks who I respect/like/admire, but with an overflowing cellar that has become nearly impossible!!