Le Vieux Donjon
Châteauneuf-du-Pape White Rhône Blend 2020
Very shy nose. Whiff of peach and banana. Full and generous palate. Nectarine and beeswax. Smooth and supple but the structure and acid poke their head out with air. VG with Gambas/paprika/garlic. With R on my bday weekend. — 13 days ago
Giant Steps
Single Vineyard Wombat Creek Vineyard Chardonnay 2019
A quality wine by any measure. Strong flint and yeast notes. Palate starts round and powerful and then becomes mouthwatering and juicy with citrus and flinty acidity. Palate then ends with brioche and caramel and goes on and on. Outstanding p/q. You’d need to go burgundy 1er cru to get this level of balance, power, and complexity. — 2 months ago
Hoddles Creek Estate
Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2022
Outstanding p/q. For the money, can’t think of a rival to the purity, depth of dark fruit, and grip. Balance and great value for the quality. — 6 days ago
Lamole di Lamole
Lareale Chianti Classico Riserva Canaiolo Sangiovese 2018
With a steak — a month ago
By Farr
Sangreal Pinot Noir 2020
Sangreal always good and this does not disappoint. Dark cherry, pepper, sandalwood, and a marked vegetative note on the nose. The palate is both smooth and concentrated. Great weight and mouthfeel. Dark bramble fruit, spice, pepper. Juicy. Perhaps a bit heavy compared to a Burgundian Pinot, but properly top shelf. — 2 months ago
Agricola Querciabella
Batàr Toscana Chardonnay Pinot Blanc 2018
Quite a shy nose. Hints of earth and sweet oak. Lots of weight and power but clean and fresh. Earthy caramel. Would benefit from age but the Burgundy comparisons are fair. Stands alone. +2-3pts in 10 years. — 2 months ago
Tenuta Il Poggione
Riserva Vigna Paganelli Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2015
Explosive nose. Deep plum, black cherry, orange, tar, earth and cinnamon. High alcohol. Everything on 11, but it will settle and be killer in 10 yrs. 93 now +3/4pts in 10 yrs. — 13 days ago
Cims de Porrera
Priorat Classic Carignane Blend 2014
Xx — 2 months ago
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2014
My top all time Chardonnay. I’ve had many Art series in the past but this bottle had the depth and complexity that others lacked. A pineapple/tropical entry, then the mid palate explodes with lemon meringue, and a strong yeast element. There is serious weight, but the wine is so light on its feet. The length, complexity, and delicate detail are astonishing. Profound. — 2 months ago
Big Wave Dave
Dusty ruby. Spicy sour cherry. High acid. Taut but with some savoury depth. Ends dry. — 3 days ago