Bob McDonald

9.5

A lovely perfume the initial impression. Bunchy notes amongst the rose petals and violet florals. Medium weight and also medium intensity - a good mouthfeel with that perfume carrying through. Tannins almost totally resolved at 8 years. A very good Yarra Valley Pinot - quite Burgundian in style - the perfume being the standout. — 4 years ago

Alec Jeffery

9.2

Complex, youthful on the lighter style. Would buy more. — 6 years ago

Alec Jeffery

9.0

Lovely nougat nose, nutty with plenty of new wood influence. Should be great in 3 years. — 7 years ago

AgeyFixey

9.0

2015 Shiraz is super. Dark cherry and plum, great spices with vanilla and oak. Great nose and mouth. Wish I could get it in Canada — 7 years ago

Moe

8.9

エレガント。とてもエレガント。
果実の第一アロマと醸造から来る第二アロマがバランスよく上品。果実の凝縮感と複雑さもあり、価格以上の価値。
メルボルンのリカーショップで売り尽くしセール1000円以下。 — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is a $30 retail Chardonnay that just hit K&L this week at $14.99. To quote Ralph their Senior Buyer who buys their Bordeaux wines, “The best screaming deal in richly styled California Chardonnay I've tasted in my 40 years here. When I tasted this here at my desk with our buyer Ryan Woodhouse, I said to myself, wow this is very good, expensive Chardonnay.”

The nose shows big, round richness. Lots of green & golden apple, Meyer lemon, ripe pineapple, lime zest, some stone fruit, caramel, vanillin, butter, cream, white spice, volcanic minerals, good presence of nice chalkiness, hint of herbs with yellow flowers/lilies.

The palate is, round, rich and phat. It’s beautiful over the palate. Loads of green & golden apple, Meyer lemon, ripe pineapple, lime zest, some stone fruit with apricots dominating, slight notes of honey, caramel, vanillin, butter, cream, white spice with some palate heat, grainy volcanic minerals, good presence of; beautiful, moist, powdery chalkiness, hint of herbs with yellow flowers/lilies. The acidity is round and voluptuous. The long, rich finish is; elegant, well balanced, hedonistic and persists minutes.

Nice to see a newer release California wine at 13.4% ABV.

Drinks nicely even beyond its full retail price!

A little background on their Winemaker, Dan Fitzgerald. Dan cut his teeth as Brack Mountain’s founding Winemaker. Prior to that, he worked with Winemaker Bob Cabral at Williams Selyem Winery in the Russian River Valley, rounding out his trifecta of Pinot noir and Chardonnay winemaking. Also, had experience at James Halliday’s Coldstream Hills Winery in Australia’s Yarra Valley and Robert Sinskey Vineyards in Napa Valley.

The Sierra Mar Vineyard was planted by the Pisoni Family and sits adjacent to the famous Gary’s Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is owned by Gary and Rosella Franscioni. The vineyard has been in their family for three generations. “Mountain Sea” translates in Spanish to Sierra Mar. The vineyard sits just over 1000 feet and is one of the highest altitude vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

Photos of, the barrels this vineyard is fermented, WineMaker Dan Fitzgerald and their Sierra Mar Vineyard. — 6 years ago

with James and Christina

Big Wave Dave

8.9

$26 and good value. Really classical burgundian nose. Red fruit with some spice. Correct, not mindblowing but really food p/q — 5 years ago

Kyle Wallis

9.2

Held up well after 21 years. Complex but not dried out and has the wonderful essence of age. Mocha, caramel, blueberry, reduction. Magnum from beginning of bottling drawn from winemakers stash. A lucky treat. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Aromas of earth, stalks and mushroom with dark savoury cherries in the background. Whole bunch fermentation? More savoury than fruit driven. Quite Burgundian in many respects. In the restrained elegant style with good length. 6 weeks later took a bottle to an average Thai BYO on the Gold Coast served in cheap glasses. In such conditions the wine never shows well when the food is not up to scratch. — 6 years ago

Joe Lyons

8.9

Broad fruit, light earth tones nice body very good AU pinot noir!! Need a case for home!! — 7 years ago