Bob McDonald

9.1

Family holidays at Palm Beach in Sydney. Our daughter Georgie is a big fan of Natural and biodynamic wines (5 years in Copenhagen), where a producer like Gentle Folk from the Adelaide Hills fits the bill nicely. Pale to mid crimson with sweet red fruits with a savoury palate intensity that belies its pale colour. Light to Medium bodied with a long persistence of flavour. Great drinking now but I would not have extended cellaring. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Pale lemon yellow in colour. Leesy notes on the nose. More savoury/funky on the palate than stone fruit driven. Well made with oak use perfectly adjusted to the ripeness of the fruit. Light to medium weight palate. Ravenscroft is owned by a young couple, Caitlin and Nick Roberts, friends of my daughter, Georgie who bought an existing winery at Stanthorpe 2 years ago, in Queensland’s Granite Belt. It’s tough for young winemakers to compete with the big companies with their vast fruit sources, as they need to sell for around $45 with high quality French Oak, but this meets the challenge and represents good value. — a year ago

with Georgina

Bob McDonald

9.6

71st birthday wine from daughter Georgie’s birth year. Cedar aromas like an antique shop. Maraschino cherries Georgie said with touches of marzipan, and anise Dusty plum and cassis. Soft resolved tannins. A gorgeous First growth claret from a great vintage in 1989. Enjoyed this more than the previous tasting early last year. Really enjoyable. — a year ago

with Hugh and Georgina

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous note 106 weeks ago. Dense crimson black. Quite ripe fruit on nose and palate. Lovely richness without excessive weight. Finishes dry. Medium minus acid. Georgie said some Animale note with white pepper. In our blind tasting options, Barb and Georgie thought this was Australian which was a fair assumption. Excuse the water damaged label. — 2 years ago

with Georgina

Bob McDonald

9.5

An assemblage of casks from 2019 (42%), 2018 (37%), 2017 (13%), 2016 (4%), and 2015 (4%). From plots within the Hoffmann Dallwitz vineyard with the oldest vines dating back to 1912. 6,451 bottles filled. Great depth - sweet exemplary fruit. Notes of spice and plush black fruits. Lush silky tannins go without saying. The demand for Sami-Odi wines has gone through the roof in recent years in Australia. A wine shop is currently asking over $500 AUD for this wine. I paid $50 from Fraser. Had my final bottle on 7th January 2025 when Georgie was home for Christmas/New Year. With consistent notes. Not much change to these with extended cellaring. The main change is the increase in value in the secondary market. Amazing it is being sold for $500 for a wine which cost $50. — 10 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Actually the 21st Edition of the Brut Rose. Colour of Rose Gold like a high quality watch - copper, brass notes in the decadent colour. Aromatics of red currant, pink grapefruit and a hint of honey. An ultra fine mousse always found in prestige Champagne. The palate is all about Intensity showing the red fruits, spice and general influence of high quality Pinot Fruit. Much of this edition is based on the excellent 2008 vintage. A memorable Rose Champagne as expected - matched with Danish mussels Georgie brought from Copenhagen for my 71st Birthday - happy days. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

From 375ml. Each time I asked the Somm for the blend he added another grape. Suffice to say it was a blend of Riesling, Pinot Bianco, Friuli and Tokaji as far as I could tell. On the nose Georgie thought rose water. Add red and white florals. The medium bodied palate had notes of pear and kiwi fruit and was absolutely delicious. We all wished we’d ordered a 750 ml bottle. — 2 years ago

with Georgina

Bob McDonald

9.5

I had the previous bottle 37 weeks ago and this was, once again, outstanding. Sous Bois is still there along with red fruited (cherry), red florals (roses) and confectionery. Evidence of whole bunch in the ferment. My daughter, Georgie adored it and said it was one of the best if not THE Best wine she has had in her Australian visit for the past 5 weeks. She has now returned to Copenhagen. Only 1705 bottles made. On Saturday my wife and I are having lunch at Ten Minutes by Tractor and need to restock their excellent wines. — a year ago

with Georgina

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid Ruby/garnet in colour. Earthy aromas - freshly tilled earth, red cherry, plum skins, menthol, leather and liquorice. The medium weight palate shows savoury cherry, spice and liquorice with fine persistent tannins. Drinking at its peak but will stay at this level for another 5 plus years. A brilliant match with pappardelle pasta, lamb, fresh basil and Parmesan (thanks Georgie). This wine was a treat, from an excellent year for Brunello - wish I had a few more bottles. — a year ago

with Hugh and Georgina

Bob McDonald

9.5

Delectable - this is the Riserva. Dining at Do Forni in Venice which won a Grand Award for its Wine List from Wine Spectator. They have amazing verticals of Cuvées like Sassicaia, Solaia, Gaja, Tignanello etc…and, of course, Biondi Santi. I was hoping to pick a Soldera but only a magnum left at a hideous price. An aged tawny rim, tinge of orange. Burnt orange peel and Georgie thought a note of rubber. An Animale/Gamey note which didn’t detract. Dried cherry, loamy notes like the previous night’s Salvioni. This is Brunello royalty which is ridiculously long lived. At 19 years of age this is infanticide for Biondi Santi. We visited the winery about 6 years ago where I bought a 2001 which hasn’t even entered its drinking window yet. Medium plus tannins. This was a special treat. — 2 years ago

with Georgina