Westport Rivers

De Bortoli

Noble One Botrytis Sémillon 2013

From half bottle. Generally regarded as Australia’s best “sticky “ (dessert style). Colour getting darker (burnished copper). Drank some with plum pudding on Christmas Day and finished it yesterday with Duck Pate and crackers, having returned from a week in Mossman and the Daintree in FNQ. Aromas of Apricot and over ripe pear. A generous mid palate with diminished acid. Time to drink this. Only 10.5% ABV. — 2 days ago

Andrew, Peter and 18 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Peter van den Besselaar That’s quite the accolade Peter but I wouldn’t be keeping it for many more years.
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

@Bob McDonald thanks. After tasting 2001 six years ago, I was determined to lay this in the cellar. I bought 2014. Will try this year.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, jealous about your excursion to the Daintree, love that area. There is a tea plantation there that I love called Daintree Tea, volcanic soil, that I’m able to get in California (at one time a SD sales agent, now direct from the estate)!! Thanks for mentioning the Daintree!!

Rivers-Marie

Panek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Resolved tannins, and well balanced. However the fruit was just too over the top for me. Think blackberry shake. — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister and Andrew liked this

Rivers-Marie

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Found a surprise rib roast in freezer. Turned out great. Bottle was in kitchen so easy choice. Great match. — 14 days ago

Rivers-Marie

Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022

[Tasted on October 1, 2025 at Home with Jay]

Plum and boysenberry fruit, with tea, sassafras and sandalwood notes. Beautiful wine.
— 3 months ago

Rivers-Marie

B. Thieriot Vineyard Chardonnay

Golden straw color with lemon rind and white flowers on the nose. Light citrus, minerals, modest acidity and a touch of oak. Layered, balanced and wonderfully site-specific. — 3 months ago

Westend Estate Wines

Three Bridges Durif 2020

Another vintage. Still very good. Deep dark with dark fruit (a plum, blackberry), tobacco and leather. — 7 months ago

Outpost

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Outpost – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2022
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Crafted in limited quantities by famed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, this Howell Mountain Cabernet is the epitome of intensity and mountain-driven elegance. Rugged terroir and meticulous cellar work combine to deliver a bold, structured wine with remarkable depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with graphite, blackcurrant, and dried tobacco leaf. Layers of leather, espresso, and blackberry compote unfold, followed by subtle hints of cedar and crushed herbs.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and powerful, yet finely knit. Dense, mouth-coating tannins frame the dark fruit core, while a long, brooding finish leaves behind savory and mineral echoes.

Food Pairings
Perfect with char-grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, venison, or a rich mushroom ragù.

Verdict
A serious mountain Cabernet, intense, deep, and age-worthy. Already impressive young but destined to shine with time in the cellar.

Did You Know?
Howell Mountain was Napa Valley’s first sub-AVA (1983) and is known for producing Cabernets with higher acidity, bold tannins, and dark fruit concentration thanks to its volcanic soils and elevated vineyards.
— 2 months ago

Ted, Bob and 1 other liked this

Rivers-Marie

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Quite rich. Drank it young, it would have been better in a few years. Would buy again to see. — 6 months ago

Jonathan liked this