Bob McDonald

9.5

A refined Cabernet nose and palate. Medium bodied showing mint, herbs and cassis. Frankland River a little cooler than Margaret River nearby but doesn’t have the maritime effect that MR has. Around 10 years ago Larry Cherubino was the “enfant terrible” of the WA wine scene - the talented newcomer. Julia Harding MW (Jancis’s right hand associate) was enticed from the UK to be a senior judge at the Margaret River Wine Show and ended up on a tour of Frankland River wineries with Larry Cherubino. A fascinating article on the Jancis Robinson website if you’re interested. In summary this was an excellent wine. Points off for a way too heavy bottle. — 15 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Lemon yellow in colour in the glass. Aromatic Pear and nutty notes. The palate is unctuous, rich and delicious of medium plus intensity and low acid. Excellent Viognier from the acknowledged leader in the variety making the best examples in Australia I believe. Not for long cellaring and drinking really well right now. Had another bottle 37 weeks later on 30th December 2021 with consistent notes. Always a pleasure to drink one of these. Julia Harding said a perfect varietal expression. Had my final bottle on 12th June 2022 with consistent notes. Apricot notes with an oily unctuous texture - an excellent winter white. — 4 years ago

Rhonely Boy

8.9

Flora “A SÉMILLON × GEWÜRZTRAMINER cross bred by Harold P Olmo in 1938 at the University of California at Davis, US, and released in 1958 (Walker 2000).”

The wine is more about texture and round fruity body, floral characteristics are in the background, and overall seems more Semillon dominate. Satisfying and enjoyable. Interested in the sweet wine version “Nectar of the Goddess”, which is a blend of estate Flora and Symphony.

Excerpt From: Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding & José Vouillamoz. “Wine Grapes.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/wine-grapes/id694429041 — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

I had a previous bottle earlier this year with similar notes. A lovely perfume, typically Vosne Romanee - red florals, earthy, mushroom - forest floor. Sweet fruited reflecting the warmer vintage. Lacked a little complexity. I was following Jancis’s drinking window (Julia Harding MW) of 2019 - 2025 which I feel is too early. This could easily go on for 3 or 4 more years. As a point of comparison I have another 2015 Les Chaumes made by Domaine Francois Lamarche where the drinking window from Jancis is 2026 - 2042 which is a big difference. Drinking Windows are an inexact science. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

A muted nose to begin with. A different story on the palate which had profound intensity (Julia Harding MW said “almost eye watering on the palate “). Peach and nectarine with lots of minerality (slate). Very similar to the Robert Weil Klosterberg I had over a week ago but this Turmberg was more intense. The palate is quite fulsome and rich for a dry wine of 12.5% ABV. Very different from Australian Rieslings in that regard which can be lean and acidic when young until they spend at least 10 years in the cellar where they put on weight and flesh out. I had another bottle 111 weeks later on 24th November 2024. Peach and mineral (slate) in abundance. Opened over a few days. It became more simple and straightforward as time went on. Have the last one in a year or two. — 2 years ago

Rhonely Boy

8.9

Symphony “A GARNACHA ROJA × MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA cross bred by Harold P Olmo in 1940 at the University of California at Davis and released in 1983 (Walker 2000).”

My first introduction to Symphony was at Scott Harvey in Plymouth, CA. Jana Wines series “One Last Kiss” white blend (Chardonnay, Mendocino Riesling, Symphony, New York Cayuga). Floral & off-dry, Delicious blend, repeat purchase at the winery.

My next introduction at Michael David in Lodi.
“ These estate grown grapes are some of the first plantings of its varietal in the state.” Floral & Fruity, Lodi fruit, 11% ABV, Love the Muscat qualities, repeat purchase at the winery.

Now, Maple Creek Winery - Artevino - Estate Symphony. Its nice to see Symphony from a cooler climate. White floral, grapefruit & lemon, zippy acidity. Nice seafood wine. 13.4% ABV, would be interested in a sparkling version. Textbook wine, pull up the Symphony page on wine-searcher.com :)

References:

Wine Grapes
Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding & José Vouillamoz
https://books.apple.com/us/book/wine-grapes/id694429041
This material may be protected by copyright.

Michael David Winery
2019-MDW-SYMPHONY-6 — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Last tasted in June 2021. A rich ruby red. Initially a muted nose, not giving much. After time in decanter there was rich cassis, cigar box, plummy Merlot (unusually 100% here), and mint. On the palate that cassis coming through with sweetish savoury notes. More guts than I was expecting. Disagree with Julia Harding MW with her drinking window of 2017-2020. This should cruise for another 5 years. — a year ago

Big Wave Dave

9.4

A shame this is una volta because this is spectacular. All the depth, and savoury spine of the best otago pinots but with the finesse that I love about Blank Canvas. They let the fruit speak in an unobtrusive way which in this case means red and black cherries, and a strong spine of spice shrouded in ultra fine tannin. As Julia Harding in JR.com says “.. Firm, gently chewy, with terrific density but all lithe and full of energy.” For $65 this is Burgundy 1er cru quality. The very best of what new world has to offer. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Dense and a rich Ruby colour. A closed latent nose not giving much at this young age. Also relatively closed on the medium to full bodied palate. Far too young - has not entered its drinking window of 2024 to 2034 according to Julia Harding MW. Masculine and powerful - a lot hiding in reserve with this wine. 94 points for now but probably 97 points in 10 years. Clos de Vougeot is 60 Hectares making it easily the largest Grand Cru but to be fair some of the lower holdings down near the road are not of GC quality. — 4 years ago

Victor Hwang

9.2

88 mouton with Keith harding art work. The nose upon opening was sublime. As it decanted and opened, it was a bit disjointed. Has a lot of potential but at this age I think it’s not going to come together. The nose weakened, and the body to finish is a bit jarred. — 6 years ago