Bob McDonald

9.4

My last bottle of 2013 Art Series Chardonnay. This remains one of the top Chardonnays in Australia together with Giaconda and Bindi Quartz Block for mine. As per previous note aromatics of white peach and cashew together with mealy notes. Not as full bodied as other Art Series but certainly doing well at 13 years of age. I often identify a dried pear character and this has hints of that. 98 points from James Halliday. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A perfect balance between oak and fruit (blackberry) from this Barossa Shiraz. Great winemaking from John Duval who has quite the CV. John was Chief Winemaker at Penfolds from 1986 until 2002 being only the 3rd custodian of Penfolds Grange after Max Schubert (creator of Grange) and Don Ditter. In 2020 this wine received Shiraz of the Year and 99 points from the James Halliday Wine Companion. The product of old vines in the Barossa. Luscious but in balance and overall - delicious. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Delectable: Dry Red No. 3 is not a Shiraz blend. It is a blend of the Portuguese varieties of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Alvarelhao and Sousao. Aromas of red berries, dried herbs (sage) and a potpourri of spices. A savoury red fruited palate. Stellar winemaking from talented winemaker, Sarah Crowe, a former Halliday winemaker of the Year. Sarah shows confidence in blending these Portuguese red varieties to make this delicious red. Originally planted in 1990 in a hot dry corner of the vineyard by Dr Bailey Carrodus in order to make Port. A lovely and unique red wine from Sarah who I had the pleasure of sitting opposite at a Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane earlier this year. — 10 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Very dense in colour - opaque, almost black. Aromas of Cocoa, blackcurrant, spice and cedar. 69% Cabernet Sauvignon; 31% Shiraz. On the medium to full bodied palate this has contained latent power ensuring a long cellar life - at least to the end of this decade. Halliday says drink by 2040. I think this Cuvée became Yalumba’s top red Cuvée and is now known as The Caley. The quintessential Australian Cabernet Shiraz blend. I have 2 left. Next in a few years. Only 500 dozen made. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

From Australia’s leading exponent of Gruner Veltliner - Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. We visited there in April 2021 and bought a selection. Notes of Granny Smith Apple and peach. Barb thought a cumquat note showing its unctuous texture. Medium minus acid. Halliday says we should cellar Gruners for a decade or so like a good Riesling. Not sure this vintage has the requisite acid. Probably why the 2018 has more immediate appeal and has won more Gold Medals at Australian Shows, than Michael Phelps in the pool, as you can see on the label. Had my last bottle on November 1, 2023 with similar notes. A delicious bottle of wine showing spice, quince and honeysuckle. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Herbal notes wth ripe red fruits. The palate reflects that ripe profile with savoury red and black cherry. Medium bodied - succulent texture. The 2020 vintage won the Victorian leg of the Australian Pinot Challenge and 98 points from James Halliday. Giant Steps Applejack PN is a regular purchase for me. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Similar to the note I made a year ago in August 2020. Aromas of dried herbs, bay leaf, tomato bush with a woody note (not Oak) which we identified as Walnut similar to the previous note. This Cabernet is slightly different to the northern Margaret River (Wilyabrup) Cabernets like Woodlands and Moss Wood. On the Medium plus bodied palate red and black fruits with currants and mulberries. This was from a good vintage and is currently in a great place. Enjoy a bottle if you have any. POSTSCRIPT: A note by James Halliday from the Cape Mentelle International Cabernet Tasting in 2010 , for the 2007 vintage - “the trio of Cape Mentelle, Moss Wood and Woodlands pushed Leoville Las Cases and Chateau Margaux out of contention. “ Admittedly 2007 was not a great year in Bordeaux. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Brief Notes. Dark ruby in colour. Aromatics of dark cherry, herbal notes and compost heap (Sous Bois). A medium to full bodied palate. Finishing with silky tannins and a persistent long finish. Could cellar this for another 6 to 10 years. 98 points from James Halliday. — 22 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Made by Tom Carson (chief winemaker at Yabby Lake) as his side project. 2013 and 2014 (the latter being Halliday’s wine of the year) of this wine were awarded Australia wide Trophies and Tom says this 2015 is just as good. Sweet red fruits (mulberry) with heaps of spice - Barb said peppery notes. A fabulous wine with impeccable balance- a perfect match with the free range chicken dish that Barb created. 98 points from James Halliday. Tom Carson for the last few years has been Chief Judge of the Royal Queensland Wine Show. His expertise shows in his winemaking. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

I have previous Delectable notes. Crimson, becoming tawny, garnet on the edges. A medium + weight palate and medium + intensity. Sweet red fruits (strawberry). The next night quite a full bodied Pinot. Tannins are a little coarse. 99 points from James Halliday and his Pinot Noir of the year in 2017. I have 2 bottles left - next in a year. I ended up having the 2nd last one 26 weeks later on 9/11/25. Have the last one in late 2026 or early 2027. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

At the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday ( 3rd October 2024) with winemaker Sarah Crowe. Sarah said that Underhill was the ultimate Shiraz produced by Yarra Yering which came as a surprise but then again Dry Red No. 2 is a Shiraz blend. This was fermented and matured in a special large cask of 3500 litres. Sarah explained that the extra large cask meant less oxygen ingress, slowing down the maturation. An excellent new world cool climate Shiraz. Dark fruits and spice with chewy tannins. 98 points from James Halliday. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid Ruby red in colour with a tawny edge. Sour cherry with touches of pepper and cloves. Not as raspberry as I was expecting from old vine Mataro. With a couple of hours of aeration the raspberry notes started coming through finishing with Sandy tannins. This wine is made by the multi talented Andrew Caillard who is the supremo of Fine Wine retailer and auctioneer Langtons who allowed Andrew to make his superb range of wines under his own label using old vine Mataro and Shiraz; painted the exquisite labels himself and who achieved a Master of Wine in his spare time. I am lucky to have 5 of these beauties left. 96 points from James Halliday. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Dark deep Ruby in colour. Red and black berries, plum and dirt aromas. Sweet and tarry on the medium to full bodied palate with a dash of black pepper - from the excellent 2018 Barossa vintage. Won the hotly contested Best 2018 Barossa Shiraz Trophy at the 2019 Barossa Valley Wine Show. 10 months in 95% French and 5% American Oak (25% new). Probably too heavy for the Pork mince (thought we were having beef mince) but doesn’t alter the quality of the wine. 97 points from James Halliday. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Aromatics of Talc, white flowers a little peach and grapefruit. On the palate citrus and peach with diminishing acid. Just a fabulous mature Riesling with just a hint of petro chemical developing in the form of paraffin. It stamps the Great Southern in Western Australia as one of the premium Riesling districts in Australia. One of the 1001 wines and deserves to be. James Halliday wrote “year in, year out, one of Australia’s best Rieslings”. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A highly awarded Grenache from McLaren Vale made by the talented Peter Fraser. Sweet red earthy fruits but not overly raspberry as Aussie Grenache often is. Has a lovely sweet smooth texture. James Halliday awarded this wine his Wine of the Year in 2020 and 99 points. Vines planted in 1946 in ancient sandy soils ideal for this Grenache. If not Australia’s best Grenache then certainly in the conversation. The main reason we drank this wine a few days ago was to remember Peter Fraser who sadly passed away unexpectedly in a tragic house fire. — 7 months ago

David White

9.2

Apologies for self made label but I secured a dozen btles via a direct offer for some unlabelled bottles.
However the product itself is excellent and very pleased with my purchase.
Halliday always rates each vintage of this wine between 95 and 97 points, at 9 years old the 2016 still has lots of time to develop further.
— 10 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

At the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. A blend of Shiraz, Viognier, Mataro and Marsanne. The original vineyards of Shiraz and Marsanne were established in 1969 with additional vineyards of Mataro and Viognier planted from 1984 to 1995. A lovely red berried perfume (raspberry) with some stalks added back in. Interestingly some fermenters have added frozen Viognier skins to the bottom, some have Marsanne skins. Sarah is always wanting to push the envelope with her winemaking. A classic Rhone style, blended with perfume in mind. Red wine of the year from the Halliday Wine Companion and awarded 99 points from Philip Rich from that publication. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Generally one of the best Cabernets in Margaret River and therefore Australia. Very dark Ruby in colour. Cassis and blackberry, ripe and rich. I would never pick this as Margaret River in a blind tasting. Where are the herbal notes? But still recognisable as a quality Cabernet. The 2009 Moss Wood was given a poor score of only 84 points by Huon Hooke who is one of Australia’s leading wine scribes. He said “over ripe fruit is the problem “. I have always rated Huon’s reviews and have been a long time subscriber to his website and always will be but I don’t believe he got this right. On 4th July 2012 he said “I can’t see this ageing well” and gave a drinking window of 2012 to 2018. Well tonight at 15 years of age it is drinking very well. James Halliday gave the wine 95 points. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The chosen white wine for the Downs Club Magnum dinner This was a cellar release from Jim Barry recently purchased by the Club. Noticeable Kerosene aromas. Lime and mineral on the palate developing toasty maturity. A long life ahead coming from magnum. The Florita vineyard was famous in the 70s and 80s for the brilliant long lived Riesling made by John Vickery for the Leo Buring label. This wine given 98 points by James Halliday. Had a 750ml bottle on 15th May 2025 with similar notes. Noticeable Kerosene (TDN) on the nose. Toasty aromatics. One of the best Riesling vineyards in Australia. Drinking at its peak. From 60 year old vines. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A very good modern Chardonnay from the Margaret River. Smoky Leesy Flinty Mealy , struck match aromas. Lean to medium weight palate with mainly citrus and ripe grapefruit flavours. Barb thought nectarine notes as well. Still quite delicate but with great length and persistence. This Chardonnay won the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge in 2014 from 680 entries and 98 points from James. — 5 years ago