Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous Delectable notes for Bellwether Montepulciano. Bellwether is based In Coonawarra but these grapes come from the warmer Riverland area perfectly suited to Monte like its homeland of Abruzzo in Italy. This had a youthful colour - fruit driven with minimal oak influence. Medium to full bodied showing plums and aniseed. Can be drunk now or experience short term cellaring. Barb and I loved having a hand in making this wine when we did vintage at Bellwether in 2021. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

This wine must be the best value red in Coonawarra and also from the great 2018 vintage. Excellent value at $17.50 per bottle. Initial aromas of mint and blackberry. Excellent structure for such an inexpensive red. Bought this at the Cellar Door exactly a year ago when we were in Coonawarra doing vintage at Bellwether. Around 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Shiraz. Weirdly, another thing I liked was the really light empty glass bottle. Had my last bottle of a dozen 170 weeks later on 7th July 2025 with consistent notes. Must be in the running for best value red wine in Australia. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Similar notes to 118 weeks ago. A dirty mid Orange/Tangerine in colour - a little cloudy. Aromas of apricot and mouldy orange. Skinnsy apricot flavours with mild acid. A skins contact white wine fermented in clay amphora in the ground. We visited there a few years ago in Sicily. Finishes with a trace of bitterness from the skins. Natural wines - when they get them right they can be quite good but having just done a week of vintage in Coonawarra at Bellwether - you need to take risks with natural wine. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

A deep Ruby red - no hint of bricking. Coonawarra mint noticeable on the nose. Possibly drinking this a little young at 16 years of age - at least a 20 year old wine. From a warmer year showing cassis, blackcurrant, milk chocolate and a little bay leaf. Fine grained persistent tannins. Hand pruned and picked, natural yeast fermentation, matured in French oak. A gift to us from the owner and winemaker, Sue Bell. Drinking well, thanks Sue. I hope you don’t think we drank it too early. — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Probably a little more full bodied than the Wrattonbully Shiraz from Bellwether a few nights ago. It’s interesting that Shiraz was initially THE grape In Coonawarra back decades ago but now much better known for Cabernet Sauvignon. A whiff of vanilla oak together with black plum and dried meat/charcuterie notes on nose and palate. Great value at only $30 per bottle. Redman are one of the original producers In Coonawarra established in 1908. Bought at the Cellar door. — 2 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark but clear ruby. Black cherry and patent leather nose portends the medium full, leathery black cherry palate. Medium acidity from entry wrapped in supple medium tannins. Finish is lengthy and continues the palate. Rosso di Montalcino — the “Prince” red of Tuscany — is the bellwether for Brunello and Val di Suga’s entry predicts great things for the “King” in the 2019 vintage. Enjoy this with all classic fare from pizza to pork loin to Osso Bucco. Drink now and imagine what’s four years down the line. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Bought this in a 6 pack at the Cellar door in Coonawarra a few weeks ago after doing vintage at Bellwether. Bright and fresh with well balanced stone fruit, pear and nutty notes with medium minus acid. Made to be drunk young - cellar if you wish for 2 or 3 years maximum. Great value at $100 for the 6 pack including freight from SA. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Concentrated and rich. Blackberry, cassis and spice - also plenty of Coonawarra mint. 2021 one of the best vintages In Coonawarra in recent memory. Barb and I did the 2021 vintage in Coonawarra at Bellwether. This Yalumba Sanctum - I don’t think I’ve had a higher awarded wine for only $18! 4 Trophies and counting. Had another bottle 57 weeks later on 2nd April 2025. Similar notes with a touch of tomato bush on the nose. Same chocolate and blackberry. Ticks a lot of boxes of quality Cabernet for an amazing price. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

I tried a pop and pour but it did need decanting - the nose was muted. Medium to full bodied - spicy and earthy with a touch of liquorice. Partial whole bunch in the ferment, basket pressed, indigenous yeasts, French Oak. Made by the talented Sue Bell with fruit from Wrattonbully, just to the north of Coonawarra. See previous note of 109 weeks ago when we did vintage at Bellwether. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Quite delicate with traces of vanilla oak. Green melon, grapefruit and citrus on show. Light to medium weight palate. A well made Wine which won the Pam Dunsford Trophy for Best Chardonnay at the Limestone Coast Wine Show. Good QPR. Drink now or cellar for a few years. Bought this at the Cellar Door in March when we went to Bellwether in Coonawarra for vintage. Tasted another bottle 43 weeks later on 16th April 2022 with similar notes. Shows melon and stone fruit with a creamy leesy texture in an overall restrained style. For short term drinking and very good value. — 4 years ago