Bob McDonald

9.1

My last bottle of the 2015 Bindi Original Vineyard Pinot. Pale in colour - almost transparent. More savoury, mulchy, Sous Bois than the tasting note in 2021 but it is red fruited with raspberry notes. Fine tannins. I don’t buy much wine these days but I do try to buy Bindi most years. I just received a mixed 6 and put away a couple of bottles of the 2023 Original Vineyard Pinot into the cellar. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

From half bottle at what I believe is Australia’s best Cantonese restaurant which is Flower Drum in Melbourne, and has been for 48 years. I had the Chefs banquet of 6 small courses. No notes on the wine but a quality producer from a quality terroir in the Macedon Ranges. Definitely cool climate and on the lean side. Great with food. — 10 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

At a good French restaurant in Sydney - Franca Brasserie. Place of Changing Winds is the brainchild of Robert Walters, one of the leading importers of Fine Wine into Australia - IFW. This is his local venture based in the Macedon Ranges, to the immediate north of Melbourne. Specialising in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 2020 as a vintage is well described on the label as “Annus Horribilis”. Terrible weather including a freak frost meant only 100 dozen bottles were produced. As often happens in these difficult vintages the resulting wine was very good - pretty and perfumed yet structured and fine boned at the same time. Looking forward to trying more bottles from this ultra boutique winery. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

This is a riper style than is normal for Craiglee which is usually quite cold climate peppery. This is full bodied showing blackberry, spice, liquorice and some black pepper. Always a reliable top quality Shiraz. The vineyard is just to the north of Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport in cool climate Macedon. Could see out the 2020s in the Cellar. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

At Andrew McConnell’s latest restaurant in Melbourne, Gimlet, which has some wow factor and a NewYork 1920’s like vibe. This Pinot is the new kid on the quality block in Australia. From the Macedon Ranges. Sweet black cherry fruit. Sous Bois. A long life ahead. — 10 months ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.3

It’s been a while between Curly pinots. Always a joy to open one, with fond memories attached along with the pleasure of the wine itself. Despite five years from vintage, this is still young and stern but elegant. Clear lines and structure, a spicy, cedary top note amongst red fruit and firm but soft tannins. Clean, I’d call it, plus whole bunch characters. Quality pinot undoubtedly, that should improve even more. — 3 years ago

with Sam

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Bright transparent ruby. Subdued at first - high altitude?. Cherry liqueur, umami notes, wood spice and baking spices. Med high acid, low to medium body and tannin. Well balanced. Getting better with air — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

At my 2015 Chardonnay Challenge the Bindi Quartz was the consensus winner from 6 Chardonnays. Ripe grapefruit and mineral - very balanced. Finishes with a touch of moreish salinity. Quite an achievement to finish No. 1 in this field. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Sunday lunch with the annual boys trip away for the Rugby where the Wallabies had a win over Wales last weekend. Lunch at top notch Sydney restaurant Icebergs at Bondi Beach. I picked this one from the extensive Wine List from young gun Joshua Cooper who has some famous neighbours in the Macedon Ranges like Bindi and Curly Flat. This was more full bodied than I was expecting but got the thumbs up from all the Rugby fans who ordered a 2nd bottle. A generous Pinot showing ripe red fruits and plenty of whole bunch character. — 10 months ago

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Whole bunch/green component coming through strongly. Old world weight and taste - peppery and spicy. Good pure fruit, but needs time to blend with the tannin and herbaceous notes. — 3 years ago