Donald Williams

9.4

Wonderful example of a well-made Pinot Noir. — 4 days ago

with Bonnie

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2015 | Finally. The wine awakens from a dormant period. Beautiful fruit - morello cherries - and a vibrant taste. Second day, paired with venison ragout: mocca, chocolate and autumn forrest @Bob McDonald you were right 🫶 — a year ago

Ron R

9.4

It’s been years since I tasted this wine. Indeed, I was drinking the stuff made by Dr Bailey Carrodus before he passed. I’m pleased to note that the current winemaker hasn’t stepped off the reservation.
Nose is brambly and dense. Notes of figs, dates and cedar waft from the glass. Not as dense on the mid-palate as i recall, but well balanced, with no overbearing oak. Texture on the palate invokes a crunchy mouthfeel. This will benefit from more cellaring, but drinking very well right now.
Thanks to @Bob McDonald for reminding me how much I have missed this wine. — 2 years ago

with Anne-marie

Jose Lorenzo

9.4

@Bob McDonald cheers. One of the siblings of the Barda I mentioned. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Smoky with brief notes from me. Not as peaty as you would expect from the western isles. Had a tour of this distillery some years ago on the Isle of Skye which is the spiritual home of the Clan Donald ie McDonald. Probably prefer the peaty styles of Lagavulin and Laphroig. — 4 years ago

S.R.Alexander

9.3

Black raspberry, grilled meat, wet earth and garrigue. The wine threw an eighth of an inch of sediment. A very chewy and thoroughly enjoyable CDP, much more interesting than the base wine. @Bob McDonald thanks inspiring the pull. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Founded by McDonald "Don" Blackburn, born in Virginia, studied and worked in Burgundy before returning to America. Production of this wine aimed primarily for the restaurant business, i recently found a bottle on a wine list for half price, wow what a steal. Aromas of sweet berry fruit with spiced notes. The palate shows developed ripe red fruit, oak, spice and mineral notes. Soft tannins, elegantly balanced, vivid acidity, lingering finish ending with mineral notes. Wow! — 6 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.8

Another bottle off my bucket list.
First time tasting a Grange so nothing to compare it to, no idea how it compares to another vintage but it was definitely unique. I can’t think of anything I could compare it to. I didn’t want to lose the flavors by having food with it, just enjoyed through out the day and seeing how it developed. My rating might be high since I’m a rookie Granger. Latest review from Decanter

99
Decanter
Review Date: 02/2025
Read All Reviews
Mint, cream and distant woodsmoke on a cold day combine on this supremely fragrant, intense and pure nose. Ripe, dark fruit has flushed completely with that cool sense of mint and the creaminess of American oak, just as the tannins have fused completely, presenting a serene, elegant flow that creates a gorgeous aromatic unity. This comes with magnetic, gravitational pull that draws you in; close your eyes and you are in Australia. A wine of immense finesse and elegance, of immense youthfulness and expression at 35 years of age. Wow! (AK)

@Bob McDonald @Somm David T @Ron R — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

We had this a few days ago and I misplaced my notes. Citrus mineral and intensity I recall. Probably committing infanticide drinking this now but there were good reasons to. Firstly our son and wife plus our daughter home for Christmas from New York and secondly my retirement after 53 years at McDonald Group. — 2 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

A beauty. What Bob McDonald said about this wine is spot on! — 2 years ago

Douglas Braun

8.9

2018 -Vintage agree with everything @Bob McDonald said about this wine it rarely disappoints for the price point and ages reasonably well - Syrah is evident but Mourvèdre is evident black fruit spice and stoneyness — 3 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.9

@Antonio Galloni Thank you my friend… @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Shay A @Ron R @Ron Siegel @Ron Christiano @Bill Bender @Bob McDonald — 4 years ago

Akshata Singh

9.3

Velvety without being dry. — 5 years ago

Doug Powers

9.1

Blackberry and faint mulberry aromas and flavors, youthful but showing a little complexity already, longish finish, this is very good. This wine just smells/tastes like Margaret River Cabernet (@Bob McDonald, do you understand what I’m saying here?). — a year ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.2

Burnt match/sulphur initially, fair level of new oak, round and voluptuous, solid acidity, lingering finish, not sure how long this would age (@Bob McDonald, any thoughts), but liking this tonight a lot!! — a year ago

with Jim

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

Byron Hewett

9.5

Killer juice! What Bob McDonald said! Very fine. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See previous note from January 2022. Has lost its primary red fruited characters of raspberry and strawberry from its youth. More musky and earthy these days. From 72 year old Grenache vines in the Old McDonald vineyard in McLaren Vale. Steve Pannells winemaking touch still evident with excellent material - a great combination. — 4 years ago

Rob Brobst III

10

Bill Harlan told me one night that this was the wine that made him strive for perfection!!! I’m a believer... stunning and amazing... @Antonio Galloni @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Shay A @Warren Sapp @Terri Walker @Diane M. Napolitano @Mike Smith @Matt Sterr @Ian Blackburn @Shauna Summers @David L @leon egozi @Ron R @Scott Rowe @Bill Bender @Bob McDonald @Carl Fischer @Will Harahan @Doug Davidson @Dick Schinkel @Marc vanholst @Jason and Jennie @Brian Szluk — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.5

Petaluma Tiers - In my mind, a first-growth chard from down under.
I spat my pacifier out when the cork disintegrated, but I need not have been concerned.
The visual presentation is stunning - look at that golden color in the glass. The nose displays roasted almonds, nutmeg, toasted bread and white fruits.
Palate is regal, revealing poise, layers and complexity. The mouthfeel is dense, while notes of nuts, exotic fruits and oak are layered. The acidity provides a frame for the overall structure. The almost undetectable oxidation is to be expected, but that just adds to what is a stunning example.
@Bob McDonald, any backstories to share?
Pairing this with filet and porcini mushrooms (which I have never cooked) 😱 — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie, Eric and 2 others