Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid straw yellow in colour. After 10 years still no sign of TDN. Aromas of lime and talc. Ken Helm of Helm wines in the Canberra district would say these are well handled Riesling grapes from a cool growing season where no petro chemical notes have developed. He believes kero/petrol aromas are a wine fault and caused by sunburnt grapes. On the palate lime flavours, a touch of honey and finishes with a slight saline note. Fresh and crisp even in its old age. Proves again that the Clare Valley is perfect for Riesling. Delectable: Taylor’s is the producer. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Dirty mid Ruby in colour - tawny highlights On the nose red fruits (strawberries) with a touch of barnyard. A light to medium weight palate showing red fruits and sweet spice, but essentially a simple uncomplicated wine despite the fact that it cost $180 AUD. This is where good new World Pinots supercede Burgundies like this. The next night a better showing but no great complexity. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Rich and supple but not as rich as this Cuvée often is. Earthy red fruits with herbs. As Bob Campbell said, good vinosity. Always one of the top Pinots from the North Island. See previous Delectable notes on this Cuvée and vintage. — 12 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Beechworth is in the foothills of the Victorian Alps and is fast becoming one of the premier districts for Chardonnay in Australia thanks to the burgeoning success of Giaconda (and also Savaterre). The Rodda Smiths Vineyard is a neighbour to these 2 Icons. Aromatics of grapefruit, white flowers and grilled nuts. On the medium bodied palate Peach, citrus and ripe grapefruit of medium plus intensity. Ticks all the boxes. 2021 was an excellent vintage in Beechworth as it was for most of Australia. Excellent wine and good value. — 14 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.9

The nose shows a touch of Animale and SO2 after decanting which eventually blew off. Sweet and smooth (raspberry notes) on the medium + bodied palate it is totally in balance. Tarry notes showing its 60% Mourvèdre (20% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise). The palate builds and builds with air and is amazing. I first tasted this wine at a structured personal tasting at the Chateau with my wife and the family around 12 years ago. The balance and palate intensity is incredible - it needed the 18 years of age. I have never tasted a Mourvèdre based wine (60%) to be as smooth and silky as this. Jancis score was 19/20. One of the 1001 wines and probably one of the best wines we have drunk this year. 99 points. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale yellow in colour. A good combination of citrus and stonefruit on nose and palate. Slightly saline at the finish. This Chardonnay is a leading Australian Chardy made at their HQ in the Adelaide Hills. Barb and I first tried the 2019 at a structured tasting at the winery on 31/3/21. We were hugely impressed. This is my last bottle from the home cellar. I restock my cellar most vintages with the M3 Chardonnay. Their Chardonnay from the Lenswood Vineyard is also very good. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous Delectable note in July 2023. An excellent Riesling particularly for a “Young Vines Riesling “. Notes of Mandarin with traces of paraffin (TDN) being present. A fleshy luscious palate which is simply delicious - low acid. A touch of fruitiness but finishes dry. From Henty, a little known wine district on the south west coast of Victoria and exposed to the cold southern ocean. A great area for quality Riesling as Crawford River shows. Sadly my last bottle of the Young Vines 2016. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Top flight Tasmanian Chardonnay from Tolpuddle in the Coal River made and owned by Shaw and Smith. A logistical challenge shipping the grapes from Tasmania to the Adelaide Hills in refrigerated containers to Shaw and Smith HQ where the grapes are crushed and vinified. Initially the wine is lean when tasting - perhaps a little young. Lemon and grapefruit fruit notes and barrel ferment characters with a 10 year life ahead. My first of 3. The next in 3 to 5 years by which time I expect more stone fruit textures to be apparent. 98 points from Huon Hooke. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See several previous Delectable notes for this wine. This is my last bottle. A lovely mature Riesling developing Kerosene and toasty honey notes. The Canberra district is an ideal district for quality Riesling with neighbours Helm, also a reliable excellent producer. This wine won best Canberra Riesling, Best Riesling, Best White, and Champion Wine of the Show at the Canberra Regional Wine Show. A full house of Trophies! — 7 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

This pours a thin tawny brown colour, dirty cherry, almost transparent, bordering on orange on the rim. A floral red fruited nose. Palate is just medium weight with mulchy strawberry flavours of medium plus intensity. Finishes dry with great length. Very impressive. See previous note from August 2024. — 13 days ago