Bob McDonald

8.9

My last half bottle. See previous note in October 2023. Previous notes apply. From the palomino grape. I’m still trying to “get” Sherry. One day I’ll try a fresh young Manzanilla in Sanlucar de Barrameda with freshly caught cooked Langoustines, as recommended. Light herbal notes with almonds, mouldy apple and medium plus salinity. Light bodied. Yeasty. Bone dry. 15% ABV. — 8 hours ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See previous note 105 weeks ago. Australia’s premier example of a straight Viognier. Notes of Apricot and Honeysuckle. Quite luscious on the palate with low acid. Finishes with a skinnsy bitter note which is quite refreshing. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

I just made a tasting note and somehow Delectable ate my tasting note. This wine was deep Ruby red- call it black - impenetrable. A dense tarry note with blackberry, dry herbs, black liquorice and hints of pipe tobacco. Rich, full bodied and delicious. Sumptuous. See my previous note from October 2022. 100% Tempranillo from Rioja. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Rich red fruits (cherry) reflective of the excellent vintage. Rich savouriness on the medium + bodied palate. Liquorice notes. Based on how good the 2019 Rosso was from Uccelliera was, this was always going to be a winner. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Rich and sumptuous - profound concentrated flavour and intensity with low fizz after 20 years. Black fruits and dark chocolate soft fluid tannins. Delicious can be an overused descriptor but this is the most appropriate word. Sparkling Shiraz is an Australian specialty and this is a good example. From a renowned Shiraz district as in the Clare Valley. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

White florals and ripe grapefruit. A nice fruit sweetness and fullness to the palate. Quite unctuous, not unlike a Rhone Blanc. Excellent for a Village wine from a great producer in Jean Grivot - better known for their red wine production. — 12 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

See previous note from February 2024. Peachy and mineral. Absolute purity on the palate with profound intensity and medium minus acidity. At 10 years still with a future but hard to beat right now. Jancis Robinson’s German expert, Michael Schmidt, scored this 19/20. Seriously a world class dry Riesling (13% ABV). Some tasters are getting petrol/kerosene aromas but I’m not getting that. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

I last tasted this vintage 10 years ago in May 2015. Trademark herbaceous notes. A tawny edge when swirled. The palate shows more richness than normal for Margaret River with cassis and blackberry. From the very good 2009 vintage for Margs and the dress circle Wilyabrup area. — 7 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

This pours a warm tawny colour. Aromatics of rose petals with touches of balsamic and mint. An underlying sweet fruit intensity with spice and those balsamic and mint touches. Mid tawny in colour as it sits in the glass but delivering a medium + bodied palate. Went well with lamb chops. Excellent. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

I donated my 3 bottles to a Rare and Collectible Shiraz Dinner at the Downs Club to go with a 2018 Wendouree Shiraz, 2022 Standish Lamella, 2020 Rockford Basket Press and a 2021 Langmeil Freedom. The Sami Odi Little Wine finished middle of the field in this stellar lineup. It was an unvintaged assemblage of 8 different vintages starting with 2022 (49%) through to 2015 (2%). Lush and medium bodied with fluid tannins and great length. Brambley. Fraser likes to drink Little Wine when young and fresh like this is now. Purchased 2 years ago in mid 2023. The consensus winner of the 5 wines was probably the Rockford or the Standish Lamella. Erin Larkin gave the latter 100 points. All 5 Shiraz were outstanding. — 14 days ago