Bob McDonald

9.5

Magpie Hill is the Reserve range from Dukes which is in the Porongurups, a sub district in the Great South of West Australia. The stony poor granitic soils giving concentrated wines. This producer possibly better known for its outstanding Rieslings has kicked a goal with this beautiful Shiraz. This has a very deep Ruby colour with a purple tinge. Smoky oak and mocha with ripe fruit - 14.5% ABV. Concentrated. Full bodied but not heavy- soft fine tannins. Made by the talented Rob Diletti who is their neighbour from his winery Castle Rock. Great value. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

From the Yarra Valley a Bordeaux blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. 20 months in new French oak. Mid Ruby to garnet in colour. Classic aromas of cedar and cigar box with fading Cassis. A medium bodied palate with those smooth ultra silky flowing tannins. This is drinking well at 20 years of age. My last bottle. This producer has probably flown under the radar for many North American wine lovers as Robert Parker was never a fan with some of his Tasting Notes being quite hostile. The Middletons probably stopped exporting to the USA after that as they had no trouble selling their production locally and in the UK. The just released 2023 vintage was honoured with Australian Wine of the Year by The Australian newspaper and given 99 points by Wine editor Nick Ryan. Quintet is always one of Australia’s best Cabernet blends. — 15 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Lovely perfume of red fruits, spice and earthy gravelly notes. The same characters come through on the light to medium weight palate with spicy top notes. Fine tannins. Not for cellaring, great to drink right now. First time with this small family owned producer and it won’t be the last. I also bought 2 bottles each of their Gigondas and Vacqueyras Cuvées when I bought 2 bottles of this Cuvée. Great value at only $40 AUD. — 19 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Bought at the Cellar door in 2020 and although this is made as a drink now style it was still holding up nicely in its 6th year when we drank it a few days ago. Bright pink in colour - unusually for a Rose this is a Cabernet Shiraz blend. Stewed red fruits - cherries and strawberries. Enjoyable unfussy drinking. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Initially sooty, tarry notes with dried herbs and garrigue generally. The mid weight palate has sweet ripe red and black fruits typical of the 2015 vintage with spice and a little pepper. A lovely wine and a faithful rendition of a quality CdP. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Notes of mandarin on both nose and palate. Not a skerrick of TDN - clean and pure. Almost off dry in the light to medium bodied palate with peachy notes developing. Tastes a lot younger than 11 years. One of the most isolated vineyards in the remote terroir of Frankland River. The wine is aptly named as “Isolation Ridge”. — 15 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

A Barolo where you don’t have to wait 15 to 20 years to drink it at its best. Aromatics of dried cherry, liquorice and spice. A medium bodied palate showing dried cherry with powdery tannins. Good length with a firm finish. — 17 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Regarded as Grossets 2nd Riesling after Polish Hill but really a different style. This was fuller with more mid palate weight and less austere at this age than the PH - the latter generally being more long living. Lime juice with a little grape fruit on the palate - finishing very dry. This will last a few more years in the cellar, still with mouth puckering citric acid to finish off. Unfortunately this is my last bottle. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Celebrating my Birthday last night with Roast Lamb. This was a deep crimson in colour - very dark for its age. Aromatics of blackberry, plum, mulberry and mocha. The palate is very Penfolds - black fruits, mocha and chocolate. Opulence and concentration are the key words. Never ponderous or over bearing. Palate staining intensity yet medium to full bodied weight. Great palate length and persistence finishing with supple seamless tannins. At least another 20 years in the drinking window - Penfolds say through to 2055!! Overall - one of the world’s great red wines in a superb vintage. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

I wrote a comprehensive note on Delectable and submitted it. It waited 15 minutes “waiting to submit “ and then disappeared. I am not going to type it out again. An excellent Chardonnay from the King Valley in NE Victoria. Great value at $35 AUD. — 17 days ago