Bob McDonald

9.3

Medium to full crimson in colour. I love GSM - or as this wine is SGM with Shiraz predominant. Spicy Tarry red berry aromas. All the varieties blend well here but overall it is very Barossa. John Duval, the winemaker, was once Penfolds Chief Winemaker from 1986 to 2002. There have only been 4 Penfolds Grange winemakers - Max Schubert (creator in 1951), Don Ditter, John Duval and now Peter Gago the current Chief Winemaker since 2002. A wine that goes well with food or has the substance to do equally well on its own. — 4 years ago

Mike Davila

9.5

No detailed notes but this was in a nice place flavor/finish wise. Drinking nicely but still can easily make it at least another 3-5 years, possibly longer. Certainly one of my favorite winemakers John is both a nice guy and showcases his talent excelling with the Rhône varieties as a trailblazer. Bravo! — 7 years ago

Steven Nuttall

9.0

I love it when John from the Winemakers Club comes to visit because he brings intense skin-contact wine like this and we drink it in the BYO Thai restaurant. — 8 years ago

Ian Staub

9.2

Without a doubt the most Burgundian Cali Pinot I’ve had the pleasure of drinking. This has the darkest red fruit - raspberry, black cherry and super-ripe pomegranate, with a core of musky, skunky fresh turned composty soil, mushrooms, red and purple flowers, and lots of spice. Another really impressive but not at all surprising expression from John Lockwood. One of my favorite CA winemakers. I’ve already inquired about getting more of this. Enjoyed with herb- and lemon zest-rubbed wild local salmon (slow grilled with mesquite smoke), pearl couscous and an herby garden salad. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Good commercial Riesling and eminently quaffable now made without the searing acidity one often gets with young Dry Riesling. Clean Citrus flavours with a more fruit driven softer palate made for more immediate consumption but could cellar for 5 years. First tried this when the Downs Club in Toowoomba was honoured to host Wynns Chief Winemaker, Sue Hodder, one of Australia’s most celebrated winemakers. I was monopolising her time predinner as I often do - and then thought I should introduce her around to the guests. One lady said to Sue “Have you tried the Riesling it’s great”. Sue said Yes - I made It. Trying to be humble and not embarrass the poor woman. Had to be there. Their top red the John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon was incredible. 2015. Probably the best she has ever made Sue said. — 6 years ago

Trevor Loomis

9.2

I have drunk cases of this wine over the last 8 years, I'm personal friends with Bob, Dinah, John and Brigid. This wine has surprised me for years. Back in 2008 we thought the wine was falling over so we tried to sell it out through the cellar door, but it just keeps going. I had another bottle with my wife the other night and it didn't disappoint. Beautiful savory notes on the nose and the palate. Lashings of tobacco, dried herbs and iodine on the nose with a touch of molasses. On the palate flavours of stewed plums, herbs, iodine and slightly gamey. Lovely integrated oak with silky fine grain tannins on the finish. This wine just keeps going. The only fault would be the corks are dried out and a bitch to get out in one piece. Gordon Russell is an icon and one of New Zealand's greatest winemakers. — 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

@Delectable Wine this is the 2013 Silverthorn Wines Cape Winemakers Guild Big Dog IV Méthode Cap Classique.

Our first time every at the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction and we will make sure to come back! (Tasting was on 9/28/18).

Second wine at the Friday Auction Tasting for the Cape Winemakers Guild and last sparkling wine. This is a sparkling wine (Methode Cap Classique) made by John Loubser from the Western Cape. Made up of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay as well as aged on the lees for 51 months before 9 more months in bottle and prior to disgorgement. Only 73 cases produced and only 42 being auctioned in 2018.

Light greenish yellow in appearance with tiny bubbles. Mute on the nose with a bit of lemon, light sweet spices, kiwi and limestone. Moderate acidity (7/10) and rich palate. Creamy mouthfeel with layers of spices, green apples, citrus fruits, white flowers and mouth watering minerality. Long and lingering finish.

$$ - Tasted at the Cape Winemakers Auction. Average bid at auction was R4,410.00 ($51.94 a bottle) a case. Highest bid was R6,200.00 ($73.02 a bottle) and lowest bid was R3,000.00 ($35.33 a bottle).

#silverthornwines #mcc #methodecapclassique #southafrica #cwgauction #sparkling
— 6 years ago

with Sean and India

Matt Perlman

9.3

Very special opportunity to try this ~30 year old GSM from one of my favorite winemakers. Dark spicy fruit still very much alive with enchanting secondary characteristics--smokey mesquite / campfire, earth, rocks, leather on both nose and palate. Thanks @Max Kogod! Got any more? 🙂 — 8 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.2

@Delectable Wine. This is the 2011 J Bookwalter Conflict Conner Lee Vineyard. Great Cabernet from a great family of farmers & winemakers. They don't own Conner Lee, but the Senior J Bookwalter is the vineyard manager. A magical Cabernet site. Seriously delicious stuff. — 9 years ago