Bob McDonald

9.2

See my previous note in February 2026. Very similar to now. This is fulsome and savoury at once - black cherry and raspberry. Very easy to like. Like a hypothetical blend of Syrah and Merlot. The herbal savouriness of Syrah with the softness of a supple Merlot. Made by Alvaro Palacios. Love the flamboyant Spanish label. — a day ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Brief notes. Dried savoury cherry and other red fruits. I found this to be quite new world in structure and flavour profile. I will do a more comprehensive note for my second and last bottle in a year or two. — 7 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

From the 2018 vintage entirely. Fraser seems to do less blended vintages these days - perhaps in this case because 2018 was very good and bountiful. Red fruited and muscular, vital and fresh, and in perfect balance. In oak for 78 weeks. A plummy palate finishing with savoury charry and always silky fine grained tannins. This is my first of 3 bottles in the cellar. Wonderful wine from ancient vines some of which date back to 1888. — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Very pale crimson - almost transparent. Aromas of red cherry and violets. Like many good Pinots pale in colour but M+ palate Intensity - an elegant wine finishing with fine tannins. Bell Hill produces some of the rarest and most sought after wines in New Zealand. I have visited all the major wine producing areas in New Zealand but I have never been to Canterbury - not far from Christchurch. — 17 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Brief notes. A rich McLaren Vale Shiraz from a good vintage. Aromatics of plum and dark chocolate and a trifle too much French oak. I may have drunk this a little young at 8 years. Trophy winner at the 2021 McLaren Vale wine show. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

I have many tasting notes for Beaucastel on Delectable dating back nearly 10 years ago (504 weeks). Always has been a favourite and I had the pleasure of having a guided tasting with my wife and 2 children some years ago at the winery. This wine from the warm 2015 vintage had plenty of ripe black fruits like Blackberry and plum - also herbs and pepper. This Cuvée used all 13 permitted varietals. This was the first of 3 bottles. Next in a year or two. I actually slightly preferred the 2016 Clape Renaissance had over the weekend. I realise the Clape is northern Rhone but thought I would mention it. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Apricot City! Nice to compare this with Australia’s top version of Viognier, the Yalumba “Virgilius” which we had yesterday and I preferred - definitely better value for money. Richard Hemming MW thought the Stephane Ogier was light for a Condrieu. 100% Viognier, 33% new oak. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Rich and full bodied. Nose of savoury black plums. So flavoursome - sumptuous, mouth filling and satisfying. One of the more enjoyable reds I’ve had of recent times. From the excellent 2016 vintage. This is the first of 2 bottles. Next one towards the end of 2027 or early 2028. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Brief notes. Stone fruit, mineral and spice with great tension. Most good judges regard Robert Weil as the supreme estate in the Rheingau. I have 2 previous tasting notes of this wine on Delectable - around 2 years ago and 4 years ago. — 7 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Showing more new world in this warmer vintage. Aromas of ripe red fruits - mainly strawberries. The palate showing those ripe fruits typical of the vintage. Needs more cellar time to show its best. Expected more complexity and quality from this producer and the vineyard. Have the next bottle in 2029/2030. — 17 days ago