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Rich and Bold
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Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

WSET Level 3 Pass with Distinction.

3692 wines • 278 followers • 198 following

Tenuta di Fessina

Musmeci Nerello Mascalese 2015

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Bob McDonald

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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

Anthony, Jan and 13 others liked this

Château de la Louvière

Pessac-Léognan Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2015

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Bob McDonald

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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

Peter, Casey and 21 others liked this

Yalumba

The Octavius Barossa Shiraz 2002

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Bob McDonald

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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

ESF, Ron and 23 others liked this

Giant Steps

LDR Yarra Valley Pinot Noir Syrah 2019

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Bob McDonald

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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

Ron, Ira and 18 others liked this
Bob McDonald

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Yes Ron I’m sure people would think that, however it is quite an old blend favoured by Hunter Valley pioneer and legend, Maurice O’Shea who was making wines like this in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. I think Dr Bailey Carrodus at Yarra Yering might have tinkered with it as well.
Ming L

Ming L

I had the Levantine Hill Rubeus, a blend of CS, Shiraz, PN, and Merlot. Looking back at my note it was quite seamless as well. Admittedly I tried it totally out of curiosity, but I’m glad I did.
Bob McDonald

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Levantine Hill’s reputation is rising as a top quality producer. There is so much quality wine available at the moment in Australia.

Louis Latour

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2010

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Bob McDonald

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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

Ceccherini, Aravind and 9 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

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🙁

L'Ecole No. 41

Ferguson Vineyard Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

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Bob McDonald

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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

vinokeeno, Casey and 25 others liked this
Jamie Lauder

Jamie Lauder

Glad you are enjoying Washington State wines.
We consider them local here in Vancouver, Canada.
Look for Red Mountain AVA as well.

Main Ridge Estate

Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2015

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Bob McDonald

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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, Severn and 21 others liked this

Bodegas Ramón Bilbao

Black Label Crianza Rioja Tempranillo 2018

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Bob McDonald

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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

Josh, Jamie and 20 others liked this

McWilliam's

Regional Collection Clare Valley Riesling 2002

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Bob McDonald

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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

Ira, Casey and 24 others liked this
Travis W

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I didn't know they had vineyards in the Clare Valley. Sounds delightful.

Henschke

Hill of Grace Vineyard Shiraz 1996

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Bob McDonald

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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

Matt, Ira and 25 others liked this
Bob McDonald

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@Severn Goodwin 👌👍
Jan A

Jan A

Definitely one of my bucket list wines! Thank you for the review!
Bob McDonald

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My pleasure Jan. A worthy wine to have in anyone’s bucket list I would say. Cheers. 🍷