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 days 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

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. — 2 years 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. — 5 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. — a year 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. — 2 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. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Flinty struck match with funk driven complexity. Under ripe white peach and grapefruit - crushed rocks and salinity on the medium bodied palate, however the intensity is bordering on the profound. See previous Delectable notes. Winner of the James Halliday Chardonnay challenge from 630 entries. Had another bottle 15 weeks later on 21st January 2024 with consistent notes. Funky, flinty and smoky. Ripe grapefruit on palate. 2 bottles left. Will save one for a 2015 vintage Chardonnay blind tasting with friends later in the year. — 7 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

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. — 2 years ago