Bob McDonald

9.3

One of the 1001 wines. The brilliance of Mesnil is on show in Les Chetillons - let’s not forget that two of the most prestigious Champagnes are from here too, Salon and Krug’s Clos de Mesnil. This is much more reasonably priced than those two. When poured this has a very fine bead with voluminous mousse. The colour of bright straw yellow. The palate had broad developed notes with mushroom and toasted hazelnuts in the aromas. After a while a delightful note of poached pear. — 21 hours ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Delectable- this is the multi vintage Penfolds Yattarna V - not listed in your extensive Penfolds library of wines. A blend of Yattarna vintages 2011, 12, 14, 16 and the 21. 20% of each of the 5 years in the blend. Very generous of our host to serve this wine which retailed north of $800 on release. No detailed notes / too much chit chat with the other tasters. The lasting impression was freshness and complexity. Citrus and grapefruit - incredible length. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

My last bottle of 2015 Woodlands Chloe. Quite restrained - very well made. Everything in balance at 9 years of age. Last bottle we had was in early 2023 - matched with the 2015 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay and some tasters preferred the 2015 Chloe. White peach. Not too lean, not too full bodied - perfect balance - a “goldilocks” Margaret River Chardonnay. Woodlands is better known for its stellar Cabernet and Cabernet blends but also makes this fine Chardonnay. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Delectable- this is the Craighall vineyard, not offered in your database. As I’ve noted previously in the standard Dry River Pinot Noir that, to my palate, this is quite full bodied and not a typical Pinot profile. The colour was dark crimson with brown tinges. Rich opulent fruit - black cherry and plum. Bob Campbell alluded to this saying perhaps lacking “in varietal identity “ but still gave it 98 points. After 10 years I feel it should have developed more complexity. — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

No notes taken. A good 2nd Growth from St Estephe. Savoury palate finishing dry. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Grown in the gravelly soils of Beechworth in the foothills of the Australian Alps. Nearby neighbours would be Giaconda, possibly the best Chardonnay in Australia. This was leaner than ideal but certainly an ideal terroir for cool climate Chardonnay. Good acid and tension but to be critical it lacks a little mid palate fruit. This was the first of 4. Will be interesting to see how it develops. Good value at $35 AUD. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Mornington Peninsula is like the Yarra Valley in that it’s best known for excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but capable of beautiful cool climate Shiraz. Had a tasting at the winery about 5 years ago and bought this bottle. Have since been back with Barb last Christmas, had lunch and visited their wonderful outdoor sculpture collection placed throughout the vineyards. Brief notes. This wine was savoury and Rhone like with spice and charcuterie notes with hints of black pepper. A great food wine. Will try to do more comprehensive notes for my last bottle. — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Proving yet again that the Adelaide Hills makes excellent Chardonnay. Has been “worked “ somewhat. The winemaking team has a formidable brains trust with Adam Wadewitz as the Chief Winemaker with input from two MWs in Michael Hill-Smith and David leMire. An excellent modern take on Australian Chardonnay. Stone fruit, minerality, struck match - a nice citric acid cut to finish off. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

See previous notes from April 2024. To be critical a little too much oak influence for my palate. The palate is rich and enjoyable overall. To state the obvious the Napa Valley does wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon. A surprisingly short drinking window given by James Molesworth thru to 2027. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Deep and rich - dark plum, rich spices - black pepper. Barb said red roses in the aromatics. On the medium to full bodied palate, savoury dried meats. This went well with stewed chicken legs - both savoury. Many would like a lighter red wine, even a full bodied white but this works well. The Mount Barker region produces excellent Shiraz and Riesling. The Block 9 Shiraz is a single site wine from dry grown wines planted in 1985. One of my favourite wine styles. — 7 days ago