Bob McDonald

9.6

The final wine at the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday night 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. Fitting that Dry Red No. 1 should be the final wine - arguably the Jewel in the Crown. Initial aromatic impressions are gorgeous. This is the 50th vintage of Dry Red No. 1. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Brief notes - blackberry, aniseed and bay leaf. A medium bodied Cabernet with M+ intensity and finishing with fine boned tannin structure. Power with poise, concentration with finesse. Will live for 20 years plus. I have been buying on an irregular basis for many years. The 1990 was a highlight. I asked Sarah, who was Chairman of the Royal Sydney Wine Show this year to compare 3 of the main Cabernet producing areas in Australia - Yarra Valley leafy fragrance, Coonawarra Mint, and Margaret River herbaceousness. At Restaurant Dan Arnold. — a month ago

Brian S

9.6

This plot cuvée was created jointly by Delphine and her father, Claude in 1995.

Its grapes come from the oldest vines of Clos, planted by Claude Cazals in 1957, located in Oger.

Clos are very rare in Champagne, there are only about twenty (21). Delphine Cazals owns one of the largest clos of the Côte des Blancs (3.70 Ha).

A passage in oak barrels is carried out for all vintages in order to bring subtle and delicate aromas.

Aging on slats for a minimum of 10 years in a vaulted cellar in Mesnil-sur-Oger is required to develop the full aromatic palette of this exceptional cuvée, highlighting all the complexity of the 100% Oger terroir.

A fine and elegant champagne with notes of white flowers and citrus fruits with an appreciable roundness and revealed by a minimal dosage between Extra-Brut and Brut Nature depending on the vintage.

Terroir: Le Clos d´Oger - GRAND CRU

Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay — 3 years ago

with Ellie

Rufus King

9.3

Juicy Margaux with fine tannin, gift from friends to go with swordfish dinner on Drakes Island (Maine & Vine, Kennebunkport) — 5 months ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

Very N Rhone character. Deep dark and brooding. Amazingly pure fruit with loads of black pepper. Super fine tannins and fresh acidity keeping the whole thing crackling with life. Serious juice and easily confused with a Hermitage or aged Cote Rotie. — 3 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.0

Now that’s perfect on a hot, sticky day when then storms are rolling in…again!
N: Smells like rocks and unripe apricots, peaches,white flowers.
P: frizzante, crunchy stone fruits, great dry/sweet balance, refreshing acidity.
Just slightly creamy. A keeper.
A keeper. — 3 years ago

Tracy Hall

9.6

A m a z I n g. Fine furry tannins straight away so we decanted. One hour later this was singing. The nose was so pretty with cacao powder, faint sweet tarragon, and strawberries. Mouth coating raspberry fruit roll ups, smooth tannins makes this beautiful. TBL — 4 years ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.4

Djin n drinkin fine stuff! This was a wow! — 3 years ago

with Mari and Ross

Nicole Ruiz Hudson

9.3

Day 1
N: black tea, roses, tar, tomato paste, cherries, plums, mushrooms, orange rind, tomato sauce herbs
B: “”, smoke and a little soy sauce, round up front leading to grippy finish with fine tannins and savory finish. Yum

Second day the wine opened further and gained notes of licorice. — 3 years ago

Erik Sjolund

9.4

Well, really fine n pretty intense. But kinda heavy n the licorice/viol bugs me. — 3 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

It is Thursday night and tonight the wine I have opened is the 2016 La Spinetta Ca' Di Pian Barbera d' Asti.

On the nose is black cherry, plum, strawberry, incense, violets, anise and earth.

On the palate there is cherry, strawberry, plum, anise, dried leaves, baking spices and wet earth.

This wine is medium to full bodied fresh clean in the mouth with medium + acidity and medium to medium+ fine mouth filling grippy tannins tha gives into a long fresh fruit earthy finish. I hope everyone's week has been a good one and let's look to the weekend to refresh. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago