Bob McDonald

9.6

See previous Delectable notes. The colour is dark Ruby red. Floral aromatics of violets and rose petals - a note of cracked pepper in this cooler vintage in a cooler terroir to begin with. Medium bodied with great concentration, persistence and length on the palate with red fruits, touches of meat and pepper. Gives up palate weight for those superb aromatics. My kind of wine (look at previous Delectable notes). — 10 days ago

Ross Bathgate

9.1

20 years old but still dark red and vibrant. Fruit has dropped off but lots of exotic spice and rich vanilla coconut from the American oak (?) in the background. Lovely drink with our eye fillet. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale Lemon in colour. White peach notes on nose and palate along with herbal and Lime notes - a little grapefruit. Overall the impression of ripe grapes in a really good season gives one the impression of almost off dry but it is dry. Not as much tension as a few years ago - this being my last bottle. At its peak if you like mature Riesling with a swipe of cleansing acidity to finish off. Again, little or no kerosene or petrol notes which I am starting to believe is a wine fault and the subject of sunburnt grapes as Canberra Riesling producer Ken Helm once told me. 3 Trophies and many Gold Medals on the Show Circuit. — 5 years ago

Helen Arvanitopoulos

9.3

A beautiful Canberra Shiraz I had with an amazing T Bone steak up in the blue mountains in front of an open fireplace. Beyond. — 2 years ago

Travis W

9.0

Top shelf Riesling. Aging beautifully. Drank over two days. Love aged Canberra district Riesling. Generally I've found that they need at least a decade to integrate. Balance of citrus fruits and talc. So different from Eden and Clare. This will go another decade easily. — 3 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.2

Killer Chardonnay. We have been seeing some great gear across the tasting bench of late. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Continuing my theme of Australian cool climate Shiraz - this from the Canberra District. Considered by many to be as good as Clonakilla’s flagship Shiraz Viognier. Nose of pepper and spice with red fruits. On the palate cherry and spice with earthy mineral notes finishing with persistent fine Tannins. A very good cool climate Australian Shiraz in the mould of a Saint Joseph or Cote Rotie. NB Delectable this is Clonakilla Syrah. Not offered in your choices. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

A Collection of great Australian Reds - Christmas break up of the Tennis Group. This or the Wynns Centenary would have been the WOTN. A Delicious balanced mature claret showing leather spice with noticeable mocha , like coffee grounds. Cruising at 32 years and will sit on the plateau for a while yet. The Reserve was the forerunner to what Yalumba now call The Caley which is now their flagship. A top shelf Cabernet Shiraz from a great vintage utilising Yalumba’s extensive vineyard resources. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Ravensworth is the private venture of Bryan Martin who is the winemaker together with Tim Kirk, at the nearby and famous Clonakilla - arguably the benchmark for Shiraz Viognier in Australia. Wonderful spicy scents together with a floral note from the Viognier. Medium weight with meaty, savoury spicy flavours on the palate. My kind of Shiraz blend and in the frame of Clonakilla with better QPR. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Mid Ruby turning tawny. Spicy perfume, a hint of violet, and with time notes of Rhubarb. On the palate easy power and intensity with red cherry and plum flavours. I have always enjoyed this Pinot Noir from when I first tasted it at a restaurant in Canberra 7 or so years ago. — 5 years ago