Bob McDonald

9.0

Delectable, this was the Intrigue Pinot Noir by Chatto, not in your database. We tasted this after the Home Hill Reserve Pinot Noir that I brought along. All wines tasted blind. Compared to the luscious Home Hill this was very stalky showing a high percentage of whole bunch. Smoked and earthy aromas together with savoury dark cherry. Great winemaking on show from Jim Chatto. In Mick’s Cellar last Saturday. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Australian winemakers seem to be competing for the Quirkiest name. First we had Sailor Seeks Horse and now Yes, Said the Seal. Both specialising in Pinot Noir. This wine had notes of Cherry red berries Forest floor and unobtrusive spicy oak. The savoury palate reflects the aromas. This was the Winner of the Australian Pinot Challenge recently. Chief Judges were seasoned Show Judge and Burgundy nut Phillip Rich and Jim Chatto chief winemaker at McWilliams. Young Pinot doesn't get much better than this. Tasted again 49 weeks later on 9th September 2018 with consistent notes. Yet made another note on Delectable. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

See several previous tasting notes for this wine. This was made back in the day when Hunter Valley reds had strayed from their medium bodied, savoury, sweaty saddle origins to being riper and more full bodied like a South Australian Red. This was declared in a speech by Chief Winemaker at the time, Jim Chatto, at a dinner I attended at the winery. Also plenty of oak still evident at 15 years of age. I prefer the original Hunter Valley style which Mount Pleasant has wisely reverted to utilising the wonderful old vine fruit at its disposal. Tasted again 35 weeks later on 26th March 2022. Nothing to add to the note here. A Hunter Valley wine trying to look like a South Australian wine back in 2006 with ripe fruit and oak. Thankfully HV reds have returned to the medium weight savoury long living style that Maurice O’Shea made in the 1950’s. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Now to the star of the show the launch of the 2014 - generally considered to be the best vintage since the storied 1965 (examples of the 65 Lindemans HR Burgundy still fresh and drinking superbly according to Jim Chatto). Now using up to 66% Rosehill fruit. Bright Ruby with a purple tinge. Primary fruit aromas of plum and cherry with vanillan oak and palate staining intensity. An inner core which will carry this on for decades - Halliday says as close to a 100 year old wine as you are ever likely to see. Most probably but who will be around to check? — 8 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.3

So good
Still between primary and secondary
I wish I can get few more to put it aside — 6 years ago

Lisa McCosker

9.1

Mania, delicious Pinot to accompany my duck sesame roll... YUMMO
Velvety buttery cherries to really bring out the DARK side — 7 years ago

Mark Field

9.6

Awesome wine bursting with flavour and great length and finish. Looks good young, am sure it will age gracefully — 11 years ago