Bob McDonald

9.4

Winner of the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge from 680 entries in 2014. See previous Delectable note. Those modern leesy, flinty, struck match and smoky notes have come together nicely at 11 years of age together with nectarine. Delicious - sadly my last bottle - wish I had a few more. Yet another great producer of top quality Chardonnay from Margaret River. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A highly awarded Grenache from Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, possibly the best terroir for the varietal in Australia. Its gnarly old bush vines were planted in 1946. It is dry farmed on a 1.7 hectare block sitting on the deepest sand with the lowest vigour and yield. Not as raspberry as many Australian Grenache - more balanced, restrained and excellent. Wine of the Year at the 2020 Halliday Wine Awards receiving 99 points. On the medium weight palate red berries and cherry finishing with ultra fine tannins. Jancis made the comment, “Might give the odd cult Spanish wine a run for its money too.” — 2 months 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. — 2 years 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. — a month 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. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

I consumed my stocks of this dozen way too soon. I had the first bottle 209 weeks ago and now only have 1 left which I will leave until 2027 when 10 years old. Currently stacks of citric acid - lemon and lime. A whiff of Granny Smith Apple. Rob Diletti also makes the Riesling for his near neighbour Dukes which win awards left right and centre - 99 points from Halliday for the Dukes. — 2 years 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. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

At my 2015 Chardonnay Challenge this wine finished 2nd of the 6 wines tasted. Back in 2017 this wine won the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge from 630 entries. Flinty. Some tasters have compared this to Grand Cru Chablis. Reinforces the view that Adelaide Hills is a wonderful terroir for Chardonnay. — 2 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. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Mid to deep crimson with a touch of purple. A lovely red fruited perfume which will improve In years to come. Still a little contained on the palate with wonderful potential. Mt Mary is an aristocrat of the Yarra Valley covering several wine styles - all of them brilliant. Covering Cabernets (probably the flagship), Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This will drink well through to the latter part of this decade. Postscript: Received 99 points from James Halliday who is a long time Burgundy nut and has drunk more than his fair share of Grand Cru Burgundy — 2 years ago