Bob McDonald

9.6

Often the Grosset Polish Hill doesn’t live up to its billing as perhaps Australia’s finest dry Riesling but with this 2017 it probably exceeds expectations. It is simply fabulous. Some ripe lusciousness to the mid palate amid lime and lemon notes, but finishes bone dry. My first of 4 bottles so I will enjoy the journey over the next 5+ years if I can keep my hands off it. HH said it is shaping up as one of the greatest Polish Hill Rieslings. — 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Inspire Napa for Alzheimer research Wine Seminar at Round Pond Estate

Moderator: Ray Isle, Wine Editor, Food & Wine
Panelists:
Antonio Galloni, Vinous founder
Carissa Mondavi, Continuum Estate
Michael Silacci, Opus One Winery
Jason Lede, Cliff Lede Vineyards
Jason Smith, Schrader Cellars

WINES: wines that inspired each person
1977 Mondavi cab reserve...Carissa birth yr
2018 Rinaldi Barolo Brunate...Antonio
2022 Hirsch Estate chard.....Jason Smith
2017 Mas Doix Costers de Vinyes..Jason Lede
2005 Mario Bazan cab....Michael Silacci
2018 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill...Ray Isle — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Bob McDonald

9.1

From Australia’s leading exponent of Gruner Veltliner - Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. We visited there in April 2021 and bought a selection. Notes of Granny Smith Apple and peach. Barb thought a cumquat note showing its unctuous texture. Medium minus acid. Halliday says we should cellar Gruners for a decade or so like a good Riesling. Not sure this vintage has the requisite acid. Probably why the 2018 has more immediate appeal and has won more Gold Medals at Australian Shows, than Michael Phelps in the pool, as you can see on the label. Had my last bottle on November 1, 2023 with similar notes. A delicious bottle of wine showing spice, quince and honeysuckle. — 3 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.1

A delightful selection 👌🏻 Sad it’s my last bottle but thankful it can easily (and enjoyably) be acquired by taking a stroll out to the TX Hill Country to visit Alexander Vineyards’ tasting room. Chalky, Granny Smith apples, nice tartness, good body. — 6 years ago

with Krystal

Bob McDonald

9.0

At the Annual Yalumba tasting at the Downs Club. A quick note - minty for a Shiraz Fairly Oaky with Oak Tannins showing through and Espresso on the nose. A good wine with great potential but for value I prefer the Paradox at about a third of the price. Have bought Octavius since inception when as Wine Committee Chairman the Downs Club hosted Yalumba CEO Robert Hill-Smith (still the boss) for the launch of the inaugural Octavius which strangely was a Cabernet to begin with (1987) and a Shiraz ever since. Still have my last 2002 in the cellar at home. — 7 years ago

Timmo Rol

9.1

Quakers Hill curry night - Nectarines and pears, floral nose and decent amount of minerals. Excellent wine. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

3000th post. 🎉 On the nose; sweet, lush; black cassis, liqueur notes, sweet tarry notes, rich, lush; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, caramel, mocha, caramel, baking spices, warm, moist, rich, dark soils and fresh dark florals. The body is M and the tannins are round and soft. She is a beauty. Ripe, rich; blackberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, black raspberries & poached strawberries. liqueur notes, sweet tarry notes, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, baking spices, menthol, warm, moist dark earth, soft leather, dry rock powder, sweet black tea, fresh violets, dark, red florals, perfect round acidity and a rich, round, elegant fruit driven finish that last and lasts. Photos of; Clos E'Lgise and estate vines, signage, Helen Garcin-Leveque and her husband Patrice Leveque and their barrel cellar. Producer history and notes...Clos L’Eglise is one of the older chateaux in Pomerol dating back to the 18th century. The same time the farmhouse that is still in use was constructed. At the time, Chateau Clos L’Eglise was a larger estate. It once had been apart of the Gombaude Guillot. Eventually the estate was split in half. On one side of the street, you had Chateau Clos l’Eglise; which was owned by the Rouchut family. Across the street sat Chateau Clos l’Eglise-Clinet, which was owned by the Mauleon family. After awhile, Clos l’Eglise Clinet eventually changed its name to Chateau l’Eglise Clinet which also simultaneously gave birth to what we know today as Clos L’Eglise. While the wines are now produced by Helene Garcin that was not always the case with Clos L’Eglise. At one point, the estate produced wines under a leasing arrangement held by the Rouchut family. The modern era of Clos L’Eglise began in 1975, when the property facilities were all redesigned and modernized by the Moreau family. The Moreau’s also owned Chateau Plince. The old, non temperature controlled wood tanks were replaced by stainless steel. The vineyards were also expanded. Instead of buying more vines, the owners simply planted land that was being used as a pasture. Imagine now, Pomerol land being used to feed cattle. In the past, the property was planted with a much larger percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, near 20%. All the Cabernet Sauvignon vines were eventually ripped out and replaced by Merlot. The next step of it's evolution took place in 1997 when the Right Bank estate was sold to Sylvaine Garcin Cathiard by the Moreau family. If the Cathiard name sounds family, she is the sister of Daniel Cathiard, the owner of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. The sale set a new benchmark price for Pomerol when it sold for 12 million Euros! Today that price would be laughable! Prior to 2000, that was considered a huge price for Pomerol. Further investment was needed to replace the aging concrete vats and again modernize the facilities. In fact, the first vintage of Clos L’Eglise made by Helene Garcin was produced at Haut Bergey in Pessac Leognan. Helene Garcin also manages two estates in St. Emilion, Chateau Barde Haut, Chateau Poesia (Mendoza, Argentina) and Branon, which is situated in Pessac Leognan. Helene Garcin was put in charge of the property. She hired Michel Rolland as a consultant and a complete renovation of the facilities took place. Michel Rolland was eventually replaced by Alain Raynaud. Starting with the 2015 vintage, Thomas Duclos recently replaced Alain as the consultant. Their property is nearly 6 hectares. L’Eglise soils are rich clay, gravel and iron. It's located on a sloping hill near Chateau Clinet, Chateau L’Eglise Clinet and Chateau Trotanoy. Clos L’Eglise is planted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. On average, the vines are 35 years of age. There is one old parcel of Cabernet Franc that was planted in the 1940’s. Vinification of Clos L’Eglise takes place in 55 hectoliter, insulated, stainless steel tanks. The new steel tanks replaced the oak vats in 2012. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. Clos L’Eglise is aged in 100% new French oak for between 16 and 18 months. The property also has a second wine, Esprit de L’Eglise. On average, about 1,200 cases of Clos L’Eglise are produced every year. — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Regarded as Grossets 2nd Riesling after Polish Hill but really a different style. This was fuller with more mid palate weight and less austere at this age than the PH - the latter generally being more long living. Lime juice with a little grape fruit on the palate - finishing very dry. This will last a few more years in the cellar, still with mouth puckering citric acid to finish off. Unfortunately this is my last bottle. — 7 months ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.4

Really great for the money — 2 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Inspire Napa Valley Sat. afternoon tasting with Antonio Galloni. Panel includes:
Brad Grimes - winemaker Abreu
Helen Keplinger- Keplinger wine
Mary Maher - Silverado farming
Francois Peschon -accendo, vine hill ranch
Jason Smith- MS

WINES
2018 BV George de Latour
2019 Stags Leap SLV
2018 DVO Napa Valley Red
2017 Bond Quella
2019 Lingua Franca estate chardonnay
2019 Domaine de Bichery brut champagne

Each panel member picked a wine that had an impact on them. — 3 years ago

with Brenda

Scott Rowe

9.4

As clean and pure as their Polish Hill Riesling offering.
Piccadilly Valley holds special powers when it comes to growing extraordinary Pinot and Chardonnay. — 6 years ago

Some Dude

9.0

Crisp and bright; super lively acidity and Granny Smith tang. Really clean and food friendly. — 7 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

Gun smoke, flint and wet rocks with the citrus stuff on the nose. Lovely golden hue. Flavor is a bit funky with rainwater, Granny Smith apples and aspen tree bark. Very dry and pretty tart. Lean, mean mineral machine. Paired with mussels like a dream made in NZ heaven. — 8 years ago

LM Segal

9.6

The nose is the only thing restrained about this excellent SHL. Shades of graphite, light red berry. After an hour decant, a seamless, velvety liquorice and blue-black fruited palate, perfectly extracted. Several at the table were guessing high-end Napa. A brilliant, sexy and voluptuous wine that’s just coming out of its shell. Destined for cellar greatness. Kudos to Eric and the team at Michael’s on the Hill, Stowe, VT. This feels like the great fooderies of Napa 20 years ago - brilliant, friendly and unpretentious. — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Proving yet again that the Adelaide Hills makes excellent Chardonnay. Has been “worked “ somewhat. The winemaking team has a formidable brains trust with Adam Wadewitz as the Chief Winemaker with input from two MWs in Michael Hill-Smith and David leMire. An excellent modern take on Australian Chardonnay. Stone fruit, minerality, struck match - a nice citric acid cut to finish off. — 2 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.1

I believe this is my first time with a Henschke white. Intense citrusy nose along with florals and undertones of petro (nothing even close to a Grosset). A very zesty palate of some orchard fruit and plenty of acid. A moderate finish that I expect will extend once things better integrate. I assume like many Australian rieslings this will age , Is that a valid statement @Bob McDonald ? — 2 years ago

Ming L

9.4

The fragrant nose is a tug of war between the bright and floral berry fruits and the brooding dark fruits, sprinkled with cedar, peppery spices, grilled meat, and leather. The palate is broad, round, and yet powerful, with spot on acidity and bitter sweet tannins. Long elegant finish.
With so much power and structure, I was stumped by the 13.2% abv.
The winery’s first winemaker was Andy Smith (of DuMOL), then Michael Browne (of Kosta Browne), and in 2010 turned to Russel Bevan. Admittedly I bought the bottles not knowing the winery, but figured with list of winemakers like this, it can’t be bad. Glad that I still have couple bottles left.
— 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Quite pale Lemon considering its age. Funky solids musty aromas. Medium bodied medium acid with grapefruit notes on palate and reasonable length. A good Chardonnay from this premium Adelaide Hills producer. From cousins Shaw and Smith - Michael Hill-Smith was Australia’s first Master of Wine. Have spread their wings to Tasmania with the premium Tolpuddle. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Jeffrey Grosset is regarded by many as making Australia’s best Riesling. If not certainly in the top 3. This is his drink now off dry cuvée - different to his 2 top cuvees Springvale and Polish Hill which are built to last for decades. This has aromas and palate of peach and grapefruit with a little residual sweetness and minerality. An excellent accompaniment to Asian food - in this case Thai. — 8 years ago

David Gillespie

9.0

Delicious, slightly cooler climate Syrah thanks to it being from Spring Mountain. Charles Smith from Smith Madrone told us to stop in as we drove back down the hill - the time was richly rewarded. Those who like something a little subtler in the glass will be rewarded. — 8 years ago