Bob McDonald

9.7

Here we are nearly at the end of 2018 and this was definitely one of the Wines of the Year! Most good Burgundy judges would agree that Aux Malconsorts would be a Grand Cru if it was in a different commune to Vosne Romanee sharing a border with La Tache and on the favoured mid slope. The wine itself had a gorgeous fragrant perfume showing Earthy Spicy Savoury Cherry notes. On the palate the fruit is quite ripe and sweet yet complex with supple tannins soft and resolved. A rich and classy Burgundy with all parts in sync. I am reminded of the French term Gout de Terroir - Taste of the Earth. Medium bodied with M+ Intensity. One of the best Premier Crus I’ve ever had and after having tasted it 24 hours ago have had no luck in sourcing any more albeit at much higher prices than I paid for this wine. Right to drink now but will go another 5+ years. Stunning wine and hope to source some more. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

8.5

Nice fresh aromas of pear and florals. Refreshing if not a little simple. Muted acids - easy to drink - no cellaring required. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Crimson with a tawny edge. An initial woody mushroom note from the Decanter. Aromas of Cedar chest of drawers and Dust with integrated savoury Plum. The nose and palate show a total balance of fruit, oak and tannin which just says gorgeous mature claret. An intoxicating perfume even after over an hour in the Decanter reflecting the excellent 2000 vintage. Silky. One of those totally balanced Bordeaux where descriptors are superfluous. A leathery note after a few hours. Loved this Ducru. — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Probably the most twiggy/stalky of Steve Flamsteed’s single vineyard cuvees. Perhaps overdid the whole bunch ferment aspect a little bit here. A good savoury intensity with fluid smooth tannins. Well made as always. From the very good 2015 vintage in the Yarra Valley. — 12 days ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

Spicy Yarra Valley Syrah with a touch of pepper and cherry notes. Savoury style with supple tannins and medium body. From a good vintage in the Yarra. Easy to drink and good value. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

8.8

Pale lemon in colour. Quite citric on nose and palate. Restrained. Minerality-almost salty - finishes dry. Certainly in the new wave crisp restrained style dialling back the ripe fruit and vanillan Oak. No Dolly Parton here!! — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Twiggy with beetroot aromas. On the palate earthy beetroot notes with black cherry and spiced cranberry. Lovely supple tannins. The palate is more profound than the nose which is rather muted by comparison. Delicious now but could drink the remainder over the next 3 years. With NZ Pinot Central Otago gets most of the plaudits and positive press but personally I prefer Martinborough and Canterbury for Pinot Noir. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Deep crimson in colour. A rich Pinot as it always is with savoury plum notes, integrated oak and soft resolved tannins. Block 3 along with Block 5 always regarded as in the Dress Circle of Otago Pinots along with Mt Difficulty and Terra Sancta (ex Ollsens) all located in Felton Road. As mentioned in an earlier post I prefer other areas in NZ for PN but Felton Road has always been in the top echelon of New Zealand Pinot’s. A “cool” wine in every sense of the word. Good drinking now and can’t see any major improvement apart from becoming more savoury with more cellaring. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

The wine initially showed some oxiditative porty notes which blew off with time in Decanter. Even so I believe this wine was probably a little better a few years ago. Notes of Clare Valley menthol and eucalyptus. After 14 years quite good mid palate power with traces of black currant and dark chocolate but essentially savoury in character. Drink now. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Domaine Coche Dury is arguably the most sought after internationally of white Burgundy domains according to Jasper Morris MW in his tome “Inside Burgundy “. This wine had aromas of Lemon and Citrus flowers. On the palate Lemon juice - lean with mineral and M plus acidity. In hindsight should have left this last one for a few years. A wine of restraint and elegance - a tinge of honey after a while. For the Coche Dury village style only 25% new wood is used. This wine rarity was suggested to me years ago by a former owner of Prince Wine store and Burgundy nut Phillip Rich. Must seek out later vintages. — 11 days ago