Bob McDonald

9.5

A highly awarded Grenache from McLaren Vale made by the talented Peter Fraser. Sweet red earthy fruits but not overly raspberry as Aussie Grenache often is. Has a lovely sweet smooth texture. James Halliday awarded this wine his Wine of the Year in 2020 and 99 points. Vines planted in 1946 in ancient sandy soils ideal for this Grenache. If not Australia’s best Grenache then certainly in the conversation. The main reason we drank this wine a few days ago was to remember Peter Fraser who sadly passed away unexpectedly in a tragic house fire. — 3 days ago

David White

9.2

Apologies for self made label but I secured a dozen btles via a direct offer for some unlabelled bottles.
However the product itself is excellent and very pleased with my purchase.
Halliday always rates each vintage of this wine between 95 and 97 points, at 9 years old the 2016 still has lots of time to develop further.
— 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

I have previous Delectable notes. Crimson, becoming tawny, garnet on the edges. A medium + weight palate and medium + intensity. Sweet red fruits (strawberry). The next night quite a full bodied Pinot. Tannins are a little coarse. 99 points from James Halliday and his Pinot Noir of the year in 2017. I have 2 bottles left - next in a year. I ended up having the 2nd last one 26 weeks later on 9/11/25. Have the last one in late 2026 or early 2027. — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

At the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday ( 3rd October 2024) with winemaker Sarah Crowe. Sarah said that Underhill was the ultimate Shiraz produced by Yarra Yering which came as a surprise but then again Dry Red No. 2 is a Shiraz blend. This was fermented and matured in a special large cask of 3500 litres. Sarah explained that the extra large cask meant less oxygen ingress, slowing down the maturation. An excellent new world cool climate Shiraz. Dark fruits and spice with chewy tannins. 98 points from James Halliday. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Made by Tom Carson (chief winemaker at Yabby Lake) as his side project. 2013 and 2014 (the latter being Halliday’s wine of the year) of this wine were awarded Australia wide Trophies and Tom says this 2015 is just as good. Sweet red fruits (mulberry) with heaps of spice - Barb said peppery notes. A fabulous wine with impeccable balance- a perfect match with the free range chicken dish that Barb created. 98 points from James Halliday. Tom Carson for the last few years has been Chief Judge of the Royal Queensland Wine Show. His expertise shows in his winemaking. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

Nutty Aromas of cashews and almonds. Leesy / some sulphides - struck match. On the palate a note of pineapple along with all of the other complexity of flavours. See previous Delectable notes for this wine. This won the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge in 2016 from over 600 entries proving that Penfolds white program is catching up to its esteemed red wine program. My last of the 2015 Chardonnay. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Rich and mouth filling. Spices, red and black fruits. Medium bodied with medium plus intensity. Coats the palate. Fermentation with 40% whole bunches. A classic Tasmanian Pinot. Very good but a point or two behind their stellar 2015. 98 points and Top 100 Wines of 2020 from James Halliday. — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A perfect balance between oak and fruit (blackberry) from this Barossa Shiraz. Great winemaking from John Duval who has quite the CV. John was Chief Winemaker at Penfolds from 1986 until 2002 being only the 3rd custodian of Penfolds Grange after Max Schubert (creator of Grange) and Don Ditter. In 2020 this wine received Shiraz of the Year and 99 points from the James Halliday Wine Companion. The product of old vines in the Barossa. Luscious but in balance and overall - delicious. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Delectable: Dry Red No. 3 is not a Shiraz blend. It is a blend of the Portuguese varieties of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Alvarelhao and Sousao. Aromas of red berries, dried herbs (sage) and a potpourri of spices. A savoury red fruited palate. Stellar winemaking from talented winemaker, Sarah Crowe, a former Halliday winemaker of the Year. Sarah shows confidence in blending these Portuguese red varieties to make this delicious red. Originally planted in 1990 in a hot dry corner of the vineyard by Dr Bailey Carrodus in order to make Port. A lovely and unique red wine from Sarah who I had the pleasure of sitting opposite at a Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane earlier this year. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

At the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. A blend of Shiraz, Viognier, Mataro and Marsanne. The original vineyards of Shiraz and Marsanne were established in 1969 with additional vineyards of Mataro and Viognier planted from 1984 to 1995. A lovely red berried perfume (raspberry) with some stalks added back in. Interestingly some fermenters have added frozen Viognier skins to the bottom, some have Marsanne skins. Sarah is always wanting to push the envelope with her winemaking. A classic Rhone style, blended with perfume in mind. Red wine of the year from the Halliday Wine Companion and awarded 99 points from Philip Rich from that publication. — a year ago