Bob McDonald

9.6

I took this bottle from my cellar to a friend who just received his complete allocation of 2022 Wendouree. We obviously compared this 2011 Shiraz Mataro with the latest 2022. If this exercise proved one thing that was that any cuvée of Wendouree should not be opened at under 10 years of age. The 2011 had a gorgeous nose of blackberry, liquorice and spice…..intoxicating! Whereas the 2022 was as tight as a drum…giving very little. The palate was fluid and smooth with those same aromatics coming through on the palate with that amazing old vine opulence and persistence. I had my first bottle back in August 2022. Notes are here on Delectable. — a year ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.2

So smooth and so fluid. Cedar tobacco and black tea. — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

Balanced. Drinkability 9.4. Fluid. Juicy #languedoc — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

The 2nd wine to Vieux Telegraphe’s famed La Crau. Sweet Grenache raspberry notes on nose and palate. Fresher, more fruit and less savoury than I was expecting, although there is a note of light tar. Tannins are fine and very fluid. Hasn’t got the depth of La Crau. 80% Grenache 10% Syrah 6% Mourvèdre 4% Cinsault. — 4 years ago

Ming L

9.2

The nose, though mostly primary at this stage but already seductive, shows blackberries, blueberry jam, cassis, dark roasted coffee beans, and hint of tobacco. The full body is sculptured like a long distance runner, with cool acidity carrying the fluid yet powerful strikes.
Obviously still young, but really a beautiful wine that will evolve gracefully.
Paired great with wild mushroom rice. — 5 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

This white is crisp and has an excellent balance of fruitiness and acidity and a smooth fluid body. The red of this winery has brett and is watered down and is not recommendable. This white is versatile, you can enjoy it on its own poolside or pair with mussels or salad. #crete #cretewine — 5 years ago

ESF

9.2

@Lyle Fass thank you for this wine! Big, authentic intoxicating Medoc nose immediately upon opening w/Bing cherry, cassis, boysenberry and raspberry beautifully integrated with savory, bay leaf, mossy tree bark, mushroom, sweet damp Earth and vein of minerality. Seductive inky & opaque, mid to heavyweight, fluid luxurious mid palate with solid tannic structure clenching tightly on finish. Strutted w/roasted leg of lamb. Long life ahead - bump for QPR — 6 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.4

Vintage 2016 | Fluid nectar happiness, abv 2% alcohol. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Last Sunday lunch with Roast Lamb. A 20 year old Rioja fitted the bill nicely. A blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. Aged in new French and American oak for 24 months. Aromatics of tobacco leaf, plum, ashphalt and a bit of tar. A medicinal note the following night. The palate is medium to full bodied with berry, plum and liquorice. Resolved Tannins - quite fluid. This was Wine Spectators No. 1 wine for 2013 and now drinking at its peak but could go on for another 5 years on the evidence of this superb wine. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2020 vintage. This estate has improved immensely over the last decade. The 2020 is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot. Stylistically, it is completely different from the outstanding very Pauillac-like 2019, as it is a lighter, more fluid and charming wine that is drinking already amazingly well. It has great balance with bright fruit, well-integrated oak, the telltale freshness of the vintage and very good length. However, it doesn't have the depth and power of the 2019. Very good value. Abv. 13,5%. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A vibrant (considering the age) deep crimson. Mint, Herbs, Blackcurrant. Still reasonably tight with a long life ahead. A good balanced Margaret River Cabernet at a lesser price than the premium Cuvées but not far behind them in quality. Fluid, persistent and ultimately dry tannins. A strong performer on the Show Circuit with 6 Gold Medals and a Trophy from major Wine Shows. Had another bottle on 11th August 2022. Not typically Margaret River with Cassis and Black currant. Still plenty of power. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Classic Cabernet descriptors of Cedar, Tobacco, Red and black fruits and a herbal note. Lovely on the palate, drinking at its peak with excellent balance - smooth, fluid, resolved tannins. One could easily pick this as a Left Bank Bordeaux in a blind tasting. Shows more French restraint than the full blown Napa style for me. Medium + weight palate with balance and concentration. Probably my favourite Napa Valley Cabernet though admittedly I have not tried some of the big guns like Harlan. Post script: A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. No Merlot was used in the blend for 2004. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Home Hill has become a rising star on the Australian Wine Show scene for the quality of their cool climate Pinot Noir. This wine had aromas of cherry and a little stemmy character. The palate was sweet with plums and black cherry. Very fluid and supple tannins - seamless. Medium weight palate and drinking well now. HH has a drinking window of 2017 to 2029. Cannot see it myself. My remaining 2 bottles will be gone in the next few years - just too delicious. Winner of the 2015 Jimmy Watson Trophy for the Best One Year old Dry Red at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show. From the most southerly vineyard in Australia. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Cabernet is noticeable on the nose. Cassis and blackberry. Medium bodied finishing with fluid soft fine tannins with good persistence of flavour. Some mint and capsicum. An excellent medium weight Cabernet blend from Bolgheri. One of the 1001 wines. — 2 years ago

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9.2

The 2020 Crianza is 100% Tempranillo from Pedrosa del Duero in Ribera del Duero. Garnet-red with a purple sheen. The nose presents blackcurrant and sour cherry notes along with wild herbs and hints of blood. Dry and juicy, the well-calibrated tannins are neither overly extractive nor too rigid, establishing an energetic, fluid palate with a gentle, long-lasting, lactic mouthfeel. This is an elegant take on Ribera. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2023)
— 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Dark crimson in colour - impenetrable. Aromas of liquorice, blackberry mint and plum which carry through to the full bodied palate. Fluid tannins verging on silky. I’ve had many bottles of Wendouree over the years and not all of them have been awesome. When I was left off the mailing list I had been on for ages, in favour of my brother who had been years on the waiting list (I think it was a mistake) I didn’t mind but this was delicious and special - the product of very old vines from both grapes. This wine shows the rich ripeness of the 2008 vintage throughout South Australia. An exceptional dry red. — 3 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

Fluid cherry-ruby dress. Nose: red fruits, spices, vegetable. Smooth mouth, light, flexible body. Notes of Pinot Noir and Gamay well restored, assembled in harmony in an accessible and complex bouquet with many shades: cherry, cloves, pepper, strawberry, blackberry, rose, violets. Pretty vegetable notes, almost menthol, dry herbs, hay. Tertiary notes slightly smoked/vanilla, suggesting a possibility of Burgundian evolution. Very nice work at a correct price.

Robe cerise-rubis fluide. Nez fruits rouges, épices, végétal. Bouche lisse, corps léger, souple. Notes de Pinot Noir et Gamay bien restituées, assemblées avec harmonie au sein d’un bouquet accessibles et complexe aux nombreuses nuances: cerise, clou de girofle, poivre, fraise, mûre, rose, violettes. De jolies notes végétales, presque mentholées, herbes sèches, foin. Des notes tertiaires légèrement fumées/vanillées, laissant entrevoir une possibilité d’évolution à la bourguignonne. Très beau travail à prix correct. — 4 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

A bit chewy, but seeing as its fluid and has these cherries and tar vibe it’s like drinking good Nebbiolo for less. Fun. — 5 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Every once in a while I get a craving for a Ruche, so I’m lucky I had this one in the cellar, because they’re hard to find. This is really nice in a relatively lighter style. Nose leaps out of the glass with crunchy, pungent dark berry, a purple floral note, and bit of pink grapefruit rind. There a unique rock dust note too. Fluid in texture and lighter in style, the cleansing grapefruit rind notes predominate on the palate. A nice lightly bitter note on the clingy finish. — 5 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

Ruby color, limpid, fluid. A nose of red fruits, flowers and woody notes from aging. Bouquet, classic and classy nose. On the palate, the attack is balanced, the body is charming, the tannins of oak barrels and the fruit are well mixed, with notes of red fruits and flowers. The finish unfolds on woody tannins and a tangy return. Without great complexity but balanced. The wine falls quickly, to drink on the opening day.

Robe rubis, limpide, fluide. Nez bouqueté, classique et classieux, mêlant fruits rouge, fleurs et notes boisées d’élevage. En bouche l’attaque est équilibrée, le corp est charmeur les tanins de fût de chênes et le fruit sont bien mêlés, sur des notes fruits rouges et fleurs. La finale se déploie sur les tanins boisés et un retour acidulés agréables. Sans grande complexité mais équilibré. Le vin tombe vite, à boire le jour de l’ouverture. — 6 years ago