Bob McDonald

9.6

A very dark crimson in colour. Earthy on the nose and on the sweet medium weight palate. Coming from vines planted in 1867 makes it different from most regular Aussie Shiraz- also from the Hunter Valley. Jancis compared it to old vine Grenache on the nose. Light tannins. From an almost perfect vintage (2017), in the Hunter. This is Australian vinous history. Difficult to source and with such a small production, (290 dozen) this usually sells out to those on Tyrrell’s mailing list (I’m not unfortunately) every year. — a day ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Grapefruit and plenty of mineral on both nose and palate. Some austerity as you often get with Saint Aubin. As Jasper Morris MW describes the terroir - “A steep south west facing vineyard overlooking the hamlet of Gamay. It offers attractive wines but not in the First Division of St-Aubin.” The following night notes of mandarin on the palate with the ever present mineral. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

8.8

Mid ruby in colour. Dried flowers, dusty balsamic notes with slightly bloody gamey aromas. On the lean to middle weight palate the lack of ripe fruit exposes a trace of bitterness at the finish. Expected more from the producer and the vintage. — 10 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Pale yellow in colour. Aromatics of Smoky Citrus rind. The medium bodied palate shows ripe grapefruit with citric acid toning down at 10 years of age. This is one of the best Chardonnays in Margaret River - up there with Leeuwin Estate Art Series without the latter wine’s ripe pear and white peach. This is a brilliant Chardonnay by any measure. My first of 3 bottles. 98 points from HH. — 16 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Unmistakably Central Otago to my palate. Red plums and raspberries. 20% of the grapes were whole bunch. Also aged in 27% new oak. I must mention Neil Martin’s famous Quote, “ Whenever there is a tasting designed to challenge the supremacy of Burgundy, it is usually Felton Road that is ushered into the ring”. Very much on allocation these days and can be difficult to source. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Pale to mid ruby in colour. A lovely perfumed nose of roses and red flowers The palate is savoury and sweet with medium density…dry red cherries Thoroughly enjoyable with home made pasta. Top quality and worth the price. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A gorgeous nose from the inclusion of Viognier- Violets and spices ( cinnamon and cloves). Any waiting to submit? I can continue! On the medium bodied palate there is white pepper together with red fruits and the spices mentioned earlier on the nose. Probably Australia’s best Shiraz Viognier - up there with Serrat. See previous Delectable notes - my last bottle of the 2010. — 15 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Lovely sweet Grenache based fruit in an excellent vintage. Sweetness is the over riding palate descriptor reflective of the ripe vintage - red currant. A long persistent flavour profile. Telegramme is the second wine of Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Initially a strange aspect to the nose which hopefully will blow off. An oxidised note which is not apparent on the palate. Last time I tasted this wine 5 years ago I raved and gave it a 98 point score. This time that slightly irritating note on the nose but that same gorgeous palate. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot. I imported several vintages of Quilceda Creek from an outlet in San Francisco (Vinfolio) many years ago and this was my last bottle. Have never seen it offered in Australia but back in the day I was mightily impressed. 100 💯 points from Robert Parker. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

A beautiful rich, plush full bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz. Trial sentence. I can continue. Well performed on the Australian Show Circuit. Even though Innocent Bystander is based in the Yarra Valley the fruit for this Cuvée came from the Gateway biodynamic vineyard in McLaren Vale. Supple and delicious with that spicy overlay and soft tannins. — 11 days ago