Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale to mid Ruby. A sooty earthy savoury red fruited note with raspberry and new leather. The palate is reserved yet with M+ intensity. Delicate yet assertive. Still very fresh for its age. Elegant with enough palate weight to make it totally enjoyable. Benjamin Leroux was the winemaker who has gone on to more accolades with his own label. Jasper Morris thought that this was the best wine made by Benjamin Leroux during his 14 year tenure at Domaine du Comte Armand. Would go on for several more years if you were lucky enough to be holding some. Pommard is another commune which has no Grand Crus but this must be one of the best Premier Crus. I concur with Jasper Morris MW when he had a bottle of this very wine with friends when he said “we were very sad to finish the bottle “. My son Hugh bought this wine for me from Sotheby’s NY in December 2013 and brought it home in his luggage for Christmas that year and I am so glad he did. This is one of the 1001 Wines. — 19 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous note from 96 weeks ago where I said that I would drink the last one when my son Hugh was home from NY (born 1987) which came to pass last night. Overall not as impressive as the previous tasting but retains its silky tannin structure. Very dark in colour - opaque. Notes of cassis and pipe tobacco - overall dusty without the depth of fruit of the previous tasting. Just medium bodied. Tasting Book recommend a drinking window till 2035 which I would not agree with. Leads me to think I will be drinking my bottles of 86 Mouton sooner rather than later. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

From magnum. A well balanced well made medium bodied Cabernet from Mac Forbes in the Yarra Valley. Some vegetal notes to the red fruits but in balance and easy to drink with a Waygu Porterhouse on the 23rd with relatives from the UK. Probably at its peak. Bought back in the day as we have a son named Hugh who is with us from NYC and like many of his contemporaries has given up drinking! — 2 months ago

with Hugh and Georgina

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Jack and Jamie Davies revived the historic vineyards and cellars in 1965. Today, their son Hugh, continues their mission. 100% Chardonnay pale straw color with aromas of stone fruits, floral and citrus notes. A terrific crisp sparkler with crisp apple, peach and lemon flavors, fine mousse with tiny bubbles. Tangy acidity on a long finish ending with a yeasty creamy character. Nice! — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous 2 notes. Showing ripe grapefruit on nose and palate with high quality French Oak as a component and not dominating. Good palate concentration and just an outstanding Chardonnay in any company. Welcoming our son Hugh home temporarily from NYC and Georgie from Copenhagen. Hadn’t seen either of them for 3 years. Went well with a kilo of Mooloolaba Prawns. As in a previous note I will have the 2 remaining bottles in 2023 and 2024. — 4 years ago

with Georgina

farzad farzin

8.9

Hugh tanning and dry. Full of berry and plum flavor with small amount of smoke and oak — 5 years ago

Jon Ebsworth

8.9

Interesting cool climate cab led Aussie Bordeaux…think I left it too late to drink it, best at 5-7 years given freshness in winemaking style? — 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Jack and Jamie Davies revived the historic vineyards and cellars in 1965. Today, their son Hugh, continues their mission. 100% Chardonnay pale straw color with aromas of stone fruits, floral and citrus notes. A terrific crisp sparkler with crisp apple, peach and lemon flavors, fine mousse with tiny bubbles. Tangy acidity on a long finish ending with a yeasty creamy character. Nice! — a year ago

Hugh O'Riordan

9.7

This was fantastic. Silky smooth but still chewy and meaty. Layers of flavor. Long finish. I’ll try to bring one back east when I’m better. Hugh — 3 years ago

Gladys Xiques

9.0

Easy breezy. A great sparkling. Hugh acidity. Pairs beautifully with any appetizer. Gets those salivary glands firing. — 4 years ago

with Jack