Bob McDonald

9.4

Pale crimson in colour. An earthy, horsey, ultra savoury nose. A light to medium weight savoury palate with dried cherry, earthy mineral flavours and light Sandy tannins. I really loved this Etna Rosso which we picked from the all Italian Wine List at the River Cafe London. Went well with a lovely fresh piece of Turbot. — 16 hours ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

No formal notes. I have several previous Delectable Notes here. You could easily think this was new world with the passion fruit and tropical fruit flavours. The oak maturation adds a creamy textural note. No point in further cellaring I would say but an easy drinking wine now. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

There are several previous Delectable notes for this wine. Very rich Ruby in colour. Wonderful aromatics - Plum, spice, mint, garden herbs and coffee grounds - the remnants of a fair bit of oak in its youth. Full bodied and solid even at 20 years. A big Barossa Shiraz from a good cool vintage where there was long hang time for the grapes. Tannins are still M+ but resolving. Still life in this old girl yet! — 7 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

No formal notes. See previous notes for other vintages. Pretty consistent from year to year. Just designed to be smashable. The red fruits, strawberry and raspberry from the Pinot combined with the pepper, spice and herbs from the Syrah. Can’t see that further cellaring will improve it in any way. — 12 days ago

Bob McDonald

6.1

I was looking forward to this Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne from the 2010 but sadly passed its best and oxidised. It’s a pity that wines like this get dumped upon unsuspecting travellers in airport lounges who have paid a lot for their seat. No rating from me. This was tasted a few days ago in Dubai. — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Dark Ruby in colour - impenetrable. Blackberry, black fruits generally, raspberry, dusty, touches of tar and menthol. Very rich and ripe on the palate. Very USA in my experience but also very delicious. It never ceases to amaze how Washington state can produce rich ripe wines like this- just like Quilceda Creek. Luscious and seamless. The Walla Walla valley is obviously a great terroir for Cabernet. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Similar notes to 48 weeks ago with a little more fullness. Still pale lemon in colour. More stone fruit than citrus with white peach, nectarine. I was expecting a more cool climate style coming from the Mornington Peninsula. As previous note - some creaminess on the palate but very fruit driven. Oak is well integrated. The first producer on the Mornington Peninsula in 1975. — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

No formal notes. At a very nice Indian Restaurant in Kensington, London. A highly savoury medium weight palate with masses of fine dry tannins - a good food wine lacking a little with mid palate fruit but a little red fruit in this young Tempranillo. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

A mid lemon yellow in colour showing its age. Toasty aromas with mandarin skin. A fascinating palate of ripe grapefruit and mandarin flesh. One of life’s pleasures is to have a 20 year old Clare Valley Riesling from a great vintage. A little TDN but not full blown Kero. Just a brilliant aged Aussie dry Riesling. Couldn’t get enough of it. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.8

Only pale to mid crimson in colour with a tawny edge at 26 years of age. Black and blue fruits with game and a coffee bean note. The medium bodied yet rich palate is savoury and earthy with blackberry and just so so silky with resolved tannins and low acid. Not sure that I agree totally with Bob Campbell MW’s description - “like getting into an old Jag on a hot day”, but I love the imagery and can see where he’s coming from. Jancis said “pure hedonism “ and gave it 19/20. The latest iteration of H of G (2017) is selling for around $950 a bottle in Brisbane. No doubt brilliant but too expensive for me. I remember paying $12.50 for the 1982 vintage on release. There is a certain H of G character that is recognisable over many vintages over the years. Must be one of the most unique Shiraz vineyards in the world with vines up to a 150 years old. A privilege to drink this wine and close to perfection with 98 points. — 11 days ago