Bob McDonald

9.1

My last bottle in the cellar but first Delectable note for this vintage. A good balance of quality ripe grapes with the savoury peppery tannins from use of whole bunch in the ferment. — a month ago

Valkyrie Dwag

10

My current favorite — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

My first 2016 BP Estate. Powerful red fruits with a whole bunch stalky element. A typical BP Estate with that stewed fruit rhubarb type character Similar to many other BP Estate Pinots I’ve had on Delectable from other vintages. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Always a treat to try a Bell Hill Pinot Noir. Quite light in colour. Wonderful florals of violet, roses and a stalky whole bunch note - a nose reminiscent of Vosne Romanee. A light to medium weight palate showing more body than the colour would indicate. Strong Sous Bois character with red fruits and great persistence. I have very few wines from Canterbury NZ but on this showing, should have more. This is Bell Hill’s 2nd ranked Cuvée. I have a few bottles of their 1st ranked Cuvée but they need more cellar time before popping the cork, as does this Old Weka Pass 2016. A great Pinot with further potential. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

My last bottle of 2015 Applejack Pinot Noir. Sweet red fruits - lacked the complexity I was expecting at 10 years of age. The following night more savoury, earthy, mushroom like notes making the wine more complex and delicious. My early notes years ago, showing overt whole bunch influence have integrated into the overall wine. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See 4 previous notes on Delectable for the 2015 Primavera. This is my last bottle. The whole bunch stalky elements have toned down in the last few years. More balanced with the red fruits. Perhaps that was Steve Flamsteed’s plan and it needed to be cellared for at least 9 years.? — 10 months ago

Carolyn Jane

9.8

Delicious. Complex but smooth. Medium tannin. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

I have several previous Delectable notes on this brilliant wine. As fellow Delectable taster Scott Rowe said of this wine “Epic”. Sadly my last of the 2015 vintage Tolpuddle Pinot Noir. There were too many things going for it not to be a success. :-
Coal River Tasmania; Shaw and Smith Winemaking team; 2015 vintage. There were spicy red cherries on the nose. A stalky whole bunch note. (50% whole bunch fermentation). See previous notes. Every year since has been a similar success. — 6 months ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.4

New label from 2021 vintage.
60 cab. sauv. 38 Merlot 2 Petit V.
Juicy and attractive. Sweet feeling on the dry side. Beautiful all the way thru the palate. 25% whole bunch — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Mid Ruby in colour. Red fruits of cherry and strawberry with a bit of whole bunch influence on the nose. The palate showing savoury red fruits but also a little sweetness. Certainly a good future in front of it - I should try the next one in 1 to 2 years time. Tom Carson has probably never made a bad wine in his life and he has a great terroir to work with when he is not in demand for judging at Royal Shows. Tasted another bottle 65 weeks later on 24th July 2022. Quite red cherry on the nose and palate. Sooty notes from whole bunch in the ferment. The perfect balance between sweet and savoury. — 4 years ago