Bob McDonald

9.2

No notes taken after a large final day at the Australian Grand Prix in Casa Ferrari. I thought the matching glasses to the painted bottle a very classy touch. Pale salmon in colour. A lovely refreshing drink with notes of wild strawberry and a creamy sweetness to the palate. The mousse is not fine but it remains a delicious Rose Champagne. — a day ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

A little leaner than previous vintages of Mates Vineyard that I’ve had. More citric flavours than stone fruit. Citric acid at the finish. Always destined to be a leaner style from this vintage I believe. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Sweet black fruits - plums. Only medium weight - restrained. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. 2012 was a cooler more moderate growing season, more claret style says Sam Middleton. This is not one of the great Quintets IMO. At its best Quintets is one of the best Cabernet blends in Australia. It still reinforces the fact that the Yarra Valley is one of the better terroirs for Bordeaux blends in Australia. Not for long cellaring. This is first of 3 of the 2012 vintage I have in my cellar. — 18 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

A boutique producer I used to buy years ago. It’s not readily available but it was nice to revisit Wantirna Estate…..quaintly owned by Reg Egan and Daughters! Situated really on the outer suburbs of eastern Melbourne - on the way to the Yarra Valley. I love the nose on this wine - red fruits, tobacco and vanilla notes. A lovely long medium weight palate. This was the 1st of 3 bottles. Window from HH indicates through to 2032 when it will be 20 years old. — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

I visited this winery many years ago when it was known as Ollsens, and had a tasting. Next door to Felton Road Winery naturally in Felton Road, Central Otago. A rich, plush delicious Pinot Noir. I used to buy the Ollsens Slapjack back in the day and have always enjoyed it. Red and black fruits of raspberry and black cherry with a herbal heather like overlay like garrigue in the Southern Rhone. Impossible not to engage with this wine. Thanks Mick - I might have to repurchase this one. — 12 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Brief notes. Mellow and very balanced in this medium bodied palate - no point in further cellaring. In fact, so balanced that nothing stands out but it is highly savoury and richly textured. I think I preferred this wine when it was younger and vibrant. I see Jancis’s drinking window was 2019 to 2026. — 25 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

I last did a Delectable note 210 weeks ago on 30 January 2022. Nothing much has changed in 4 years. Initially a red fruited varnishy note on the nose. Pale Ruby in colour - transparent in the glass. The palate has not gained in complexity after 11 years since production. Light to medium weight - muted nose and palate. My wine shop are the official importers of Dom Bellene through their import arm “Beaune and Beyond “. As one taster noted its structure emphasises the straightforward character of Nuits-St.- Georges (which possesses no Grand Crus. ) — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Brief notes. Dense crimson with a ruby rim. Traces of cowyard, (mild Brett?) also blackberry and black pepper notes. A rich palate of medium plus intensity - savoury and earthy notes and black olive. A fantastic food wine. Love this style. One of the better world expressions of Syrah. Have my last bottle in early 2028. — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Balsamic notes with a trace of mint. Barely medium weight with a soft fleshy palate - red cherries, spice and sweet herbs. This palate reflects the fact that 2013 was a good to very good vintage in Barolo. Great length at the finish. The first of 3 from my cellar. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale to mid Ruby. A sooty earthy savoury red fruited note with raspberry and new leather. The palate is reserved yet with M+ intensity. Delicate yet assertive. Still very fresh for its age. Elegant with enough palate weight to make it totally enjoyable. Benjamin Leroux was the winemaker who has gone on to more accolades with his own label. Jasper Morris thought that this was the best wine made by Benjamin Leroux during his 14 year tenure at Domaine du Comte Armand. Would go on for several more years if you were lucky enough to be holding some. Pommard is another commune which has no Grand Crus but this must be one of the best Premier Crus. I concur with Jasper Morris MW when he had a bottle of this very wine with friends when he said “we were very sad to finish the bottle “. My son Hugh bought this wine for me from Sotheby’s NY in December 2013 and brought it home in his luggage for Christmas that year and I am so glad he did. This is one of the 1001 Wines. — a month ago