Bob McDonald

9.8

Still celebrating that LNP win in the Qld State election. Deep crimson with a tawny meniscus. Dense and rich on nose and palate. Blackberry, mocha and dark plum as mentioned in prior notes. Very balanced with nothing protruding. At 34 years of age the oak has totally integrated when in its youth it was prominent, like many Penfolds reds. Supple mouth feel and incredible palate length. Previous notes mention that this was Wine Spectators Wine of the Year and definitely put Grange on the map in the USA. 95% Shiraz, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Unreal! 98 points. — 12 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark golden/ brownish in color.

Sweet nose with lots of flower notes, over ripen apples and spices.

Full-bodied with high acidity.

Sweet on the palate with pears, overripe citrus fruits, spices, apricots, tropical fruits, earth and bitter herbs.

Tangy finish, but too earthy for my taste.

This 34 year old is delicious, but a touch unbalanced, with too many earth notes for the fruits.

I've had a few vintages of this gorgeous wine, but none of them were this old.

I let it breathe for an hour, but it still wasn't as good as I hoped. It could just be this specific bottle, though.

A blend of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. Drank from a 375ml bottle.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$500. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

This Israeli Grenache blend is delicious now.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing black fruits with light wood, spices, coffee, cola, licorice, light vanilla, black pepper and herbs.

Spicy finish with soft tannins.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it always delivers.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with a lamb dish.

A blend of Grenache, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. Kosher.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$50. — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Deep purple in color with a reddish rim.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward, with a very pretty nose.

Showing black fruits, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, chocolates and coffee.

Full bodied and soft with nice complexity and balance.

This is a gorgeous 15 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Rich and elegant. Complex and nicely balanced. Fruit forward and interesting.

Good right out of the bottle and delicious by itself.

Robert Parker 91 points.

Will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

I've had many different vintages of this Cabernet and it is always delicious with age.

A blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$200. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose with blueberries, black plums, stewed cherries, raisins, figs, light oak, licorice, spices, chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cherries, spices, light wood, peppercorn, dark chocolates and herbs.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This 3-year-old Zinfandel from Sonoma County is drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next few years.

Showing nice complexity with a soft mouth feel. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Rich, but not 'too much'.

The alcohol is not very noticeable at this point, although it is very high, so watch out.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent. I usually like it better with a little more age.

Wine Spectator 92 points.

A good everyday wine. Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with burger and fries.

A blend of 83% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 3% Alicante and 4% Mixed Reds.

15% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$25. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.2

This 7-year-old Washington Cabernet Sauvignon is still drinking beautifully.

Deep Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Strong nose and full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, bitter herbs, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, peppercorn and espresso.

Fine grained tannins on the tangy finish.

Drink now, by itself or with food.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$20. — 5 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

This 5 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder is delicious right now, although still young.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong fruity nose of cedar, black fruits and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice complexity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, oak, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, peppercorn and light cola.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

Tangy and rich, yet elegant. Needs a few hours to open up properly, so be patient.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years, and has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. Aged in (50% new) French oak barrels for 30 months. Only 1,200 bottles produced.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$100. — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

#AgedWineTuesday

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim and medium plus intensity.

Pretty nose with red and black fruits, wood, earth, tobacco, black coffee and spices.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, cherries, plums, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, peppercorn, forest floor, earth, black tea, vegetables and herbs.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 16 year old from Margaux, is drinking very nicely now. Showing nice balance and elegance. Soft and very dry.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets much earthier as it opens up, with lots of earth and forest floor notes. Really enjoyed the nose.

The 2008 vintage was not a good one, and although it's still very tasty, I don't see it getting any better from this point.

I've had a few vintages of this Second Growth Bordeaux, and I found it to be all over the place. The 2016 was my favorite so far.

Wine Advocate 92 points. Wine Spectator 87 Points.

Paired very nicely with a burger and fries.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

13% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$130. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This 09 was upgraded to 100 points by Lisa Perrotti formerly of Robert Parker in 2020. I didn’t taste a 💯 & the first time she & I have been this far apart.

This 09 was velvety, smooth, beautiful & elegant with nicely ripe fruits. But, it really lacked the depth & complexity I have come to expect from this producers bottling.

Touched into 94 with a few sips. Decanted a 1 1/2 hours & enjoyed over the next two hours.

@NepentheBigSur If you haven’t been there, well worth the time to visit. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep purple/ Inky in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose with black fruits, tobacco, vanilla, licorice, cedar and chocolate notes.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, black plums, tobacco, cedar, licorice, vanilla, spices, chocolates, herbs, light earth and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is starting to drink very nicely now. Elegant and rich.

Fruit forward with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel. A good sipping wine. Balanced and easy drinking.

Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Has ‏good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

A blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 1% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels for 20 months. Unfined and unfiltered.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$45. — 4 months ago