Bob McDonald

9.7

At my 2015 Chardonnay Challenge the Bindi Quartz was the consensus winner from 6 Chardonnays. Ripe grapefruit and mineral - very balanced. Finishes with a touch of moreish salinity. Quite an achievement to finish No. 1 in this field. — 21 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Sunday lunch with the annual boys trip away for the Rugby where the Wallabies had a win over Wales last weekend. Lunch at top notch Sydney restaurant Icebergs at Bondi Beach. I picked this one from the extensive Wine List from young gun Joshua Cooper who has some famous neighbours in the Macedon Ranges like Bindi and Curly Flat. This was more full bodied than I was expecting but got the thumbs up from all the Rugby fans who ordered a 2nd bottle. A generous Pinot showing ripe red fruits and plenty of whole bunch character. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

At a good French restaurant in Sydney - Franca Brasserie. Place of Changing Winds is the brainchild of Robert Walters, one of the leading importers of Fine Wine into Australia - IFW. This is his local venture based in the Macedon Ranges, to the immediate north of Melbourne. Specialising in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 2020 as a vintage is well described on the label as “Annus Horribilis”. Terrible weather including a freak frost meant only 100 dozen bottles were produced. As often happens in these difficult vintages the resulting wine was very good - pretty and perfumed yet structured and fine boned at the same time. Looking forward to trying more bottles from this ultra boutique winery. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

From half bottle at what I believe is Australia’s best Cantonese restaurant which is Flower Drum in Melbourne, and has been for 48 years. I had the Chefs banquet of 6 small courses. No notes on the wine but a quality producer from a quality terroir in the Macedon Ranges. Definitely cool climate and on the lean side. Great with food. — 2 months ago

Stu

9.5

Friday night after kings. With pasta superb aromatics and palate — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous note in June 2023 where I questioned the ripeness of the fruit. This has the trademark spice and pepper. Very little fruit, more savoury characters. From one of Australia’s leading cool climate wineries. As Jancis said, “a real sense of place “ - in this case the Macedon Ranges just north of Tullamarine Airport. Very different to SA Shiraz. Just medium bodied - a leathery note with balanced tannins. As in previous note a touch of astringency at the finish. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

At Andrew McConnell’s latest restaurant in Melbourne, Gimlet, which has some wow factor and a NewYork 1920’s like vibe. This Pinot is the new kid on the quality block in Australia. From the Macedon Ranges. Sweet black cherry fruit. Sous Bois. A long life ahead. — 2 months ago

Johnno Harris

9.4

2021 JC Dash Farms Chardonnay here. Forward deep yellow straw. Toasted nuts, honey joy and yellow peach nose. Open, quite oxidatively handled, but with real energy and verve. Restrained fruit, but great flesh and drive with precise acidity laying the tracks. Delicious. Nice work Josh. 👍🏽🥂 — 4 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.4

Never disappoints. Gorgeous. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

A rich earthy Shiraz typical of its Heathcote origins. Full bodied - savoury dried plum with herbs and a meaty component. This wine has a long way to go in the cellar - has firm but mellow tannins. Bindi is an excellent well recognised producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Macedon (just north of Melbourne), so it’s nice to see him turn his winemaking talents to Shiraz from Heathcote. Had my 2nd and last bottle 61 weeks later on 30th November 2023. Excellent wine, notes as previous with that meaty component standing out. Very savoury. I like the fact that this not a blood and thunder full bodied Heathcote blockbuster. Medium plus bodied - very earthy. — 2 years ago