Bob McDonald

9.0

Aromas of struck match and smoke (or is it from the bushfires in the hinterland of the Gold Coast at the moment)? On the palate citrussy lime and lemon with a fuller texture of medium intensity. Personally I prefer the Applejack vineyard of the individual vineyards at Giant Steps for Chardonnay . Tarraford vineyard good for Syrah. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Youthful colour of mid Ruby with a purple tinge. Cherry and stalky notes showing an element of whole bunch fermentation. Light in colour but great intensity on the palate. On the palate a good balance of bright red fruits with peppery stalky savoury characters. 3 Trophies at the Royal Queensland Wine Show including Best Red of the Show. A chance for Yarra Valley winemaker Steve Flamsteed, to show his considerable skills with Tasmanian Coal River fruit. — a month ago

Meredith Hu

9.2

Leesy round and mineraly. Savory, acidic, and a long finish. — 2 months ago

Amy Morcom

10

Divine - paired it with a homemade fresh pasta dish 👌🏻 — 2 months ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

10

Chronic Cellars I discovered in a local restaurant. So I went to their website and ordered their higher end wines and let me tell you this, KAPOW! Winds around $30 that drink every bit as good as a $200 bottle red!!!!!! This one is Chronic Cellars Giant Oak red blend: 75% tennat ( a popular grape in Argentina and Uruguay), 17% petite Sirah, and 8% syrah. If you follow my ratings you know I am a big bold cab guy. When I say this is as good as any cab than I’ve ever had I am serious and it’s only 30 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No I have not been drinking before drinking. I am drinking both hall Cabernet and this chronic side-by-side as we speak and wow! Yes, I do love the cab a little bit better but not by much that’s the reason giant oak gets a perfect score! The difference is where giant oak has more tartness the Hall Cabernet Howell Mountain has more butter! But for my personal palate and the cost of the wine I pick giant oak. And all of you know what I spend on wine! I bought a case!!! — 17 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Our marinaded tri-trip wine.

Good things happen when you take a good producer’s entry level wine and lay it down for 4-5 years. Then, pair with the right food.

Torbreck makes in descending quality order that I have had; The Laird ($400-$700), RunRig ($175-$200+), The Descendant & The Factor (around $90-$100 ish), their Struie (around $50) and the Woodcutter’s ($16-$24 depending on where you buy it).

The Woodcutter’s shows itself to be a close relative but, lacks some of the structure, depth and quality of fruit from its other siblings. However, the QPR is undeniable!

There are two things I am trying to convey. You don’t always need to spend $100 to $100’s for a really good quality wine. Second, even if you lay down a good entry level wine from a good producer in at least in a good vintage, very good things come through.

This shows, dark currants, ruby, candied; purple fruit mix, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum & blue fruits. Sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, mixed berry cola, soft leather, wood shavings, dry herbaceous notes, dark spice, softly, layered baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg, hints of cinnamon, understated mint/eucalyptus with dark, purple, blue flowers in a violet & lavender bouquet.

The body is; rich; ruby and full. The tannins are round, tarry, chewy and meaty. The structure, tension, length and balance are just a couple steps short of its peak. Dark currants, ruby, candied; purple fruit mix, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum & blue fruits. Sweet tarriness, dark, used, expresso grounds, anise to black licorice, limestone, black pepper, dry, crushed rocks, mixed berry cola, soft leather, wood shavings, dry herbaceous notes, dark spice with palate heat, more pronounced & layered baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg, hints of cinnamon stick, dark, rich turned earth, dark top soils, understated mint/eucalyptus with dark, purple, blue flowers in a violet & lavender bouquet. The acidity is round and nicely done. The long finish is, juicy to dry earthy, well balanced, elegant and persists without end.

The 2013 Woodcutter’s has another 10-15 years of good drinking ahead.

Photos of; their new tasting bar, Sofia during our private tasting with their International Brand Manager and that famous Barossa red clay soil structure with Estate vines. — 4 days ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

Deep ruby. There is deep red fruit on the nose, combined with a strong umami, toffee, and mealy note. Strawberry shortcake? Med bodied, with crystal clear fruit clarity. Strawberry all day, with some mushroom. Well balanced, so well integrated. Not for the long haul but singing now. Fabulous. — a month ago

with Racquel

Bob McDonald

9.5

Bright crimson in colour. Tarry tertiary aromas ie Savoury over fruit. Palate is light to medium bodied with medium plus intensity. Sweet compared to the Bell Hill had the night before. 80% whole bunch ferment (stalkiness) is in balance with the high quality Pinot fruits. Drinking at its peak. The winner of the Jimmy Watson Trophy In 2013 at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show for the best One Year old Dry Red In somewhat controversial circumstances over the Giant Steps entry. — a month ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.4

Yes the tannins are still there. And yes this is still a massive, brooding giant. But, the years in bottle have done their work... the wine’s acidity works perfectly in removing most of the viscous, oily mouthfeel and the result is magic. The wine “moves” in the mouth as my European friends are wont to put it. Every swallow is an adventure. Perfect with pancetta wrapped braised lamb loin. — 2 months ago

Sage

9.5

Drank while on the steps of piazalle michael angelo. So bright, but with a creamy finish. Bubble were perfect — 2 months ago