Chris Haywood

9.7

This has done the business's. Initial terror at a loose Cork did not translate into spoiled juice. Black fruits and cloves still there but a lovely evolving pronounced mushroom tertiary in the mix. — 6 days ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.7

Beautifully layered, and incredibly consistent on the palate. It doesn’t drop for a moment like many other wines this year. 60% whole bunch. 50% Franc 30 Sauv. 20 Merlot. Creamy and balanced. Dense and intense. 97-98/100. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous note from July 2020. Bright Ruby red. Nose as before with Red fruits and compost heap, forest floor. The palate has those earthy savoury rhubarb flavours and is totally balanced with resolved tannins. At 7 years it is probably at its peak with the palate in harmony with the red fruits (which will fade) and the savoury earthiness. I believe this is the time to drink this even though I see a window through to 2026. Tasted my last 2014 30 weeks later on 30th April 2022. A pale Ruby red with a tawny edge. Amongst the very fragrant perfumed nose there was a sooty note which was a byproduct of whole bunch in the ferment. Also a stewed rhubarb note. An excellent Pinot and 96 points from HH. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Strong red florals and fading (compared to the previous tasting) yet noticeable oak. Also whole bunch influence. Tastes a bit bunchy. A little coarse on the medium plus bodied palate. Dark fruits - plum and cherry. Finishes with silky tannins which redeems the wine somewhat. A Shiraz drinkers Pinot with a twist - not very Burgundian. Amazingly Bob Campbell MW gave this wine 99 points in January 2015. — 10 days ago

Tom Garland

9.3

1.5 hour decant(little fine/cloudy sediment). A majestic deep ruby red color. On the nose: perfumed nose of plum, smoked meat, old leather, eucalyptus, burnt cedar, green veggie. Taste: smooth, slightly creamy, elegant, structured wine with black plum, currants, herbaceous, nutty chocolate, leather, graphite and a long peppery savory dry finish. YUM!

The financial crisis and excess wine to sell had the 08 1st growths all priced less than $200 a bottle so I bought a bunch.  At 15 years,  it's finally time to check em all out. This Mouton is a nice start. — a year ago

with Brenda

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. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Brief notes. Another excellent example of Pinot Noir from the Applejack vineyard. Red fruited with strawberry and cherry. Definitely more fruit driven than the Wombat Creek which has more whole bunch in the ferment. The differences are more in wine making technique than in terroir I feel. Sexton possibly a bit of each. — 2 months ago

Michelle Berryman

9.1

Robust and fruity. This is a bold Malbec. — 9 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2016 vintage. Those classic Leoville-Barton feminine stylings. Light/light-medium body. Delicate and soft but with enough concentration to do the usual LB dance...gliding along for decades with almost imperceptible drop off/loss. There are going to be a bunch of WS readers that pick this up and find themselves disappointed since it never plays the heavy and expected. Embrace the subtle side of life. — 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. — 4 years ago