Bob McDonald

9.1

My last bottle of the 2015 Bindi Original Vineyard Pinot. Pale in colour - almost transparent. More savoury, mulchy, Sous Bois than the tasting note in 2021 but it is red fruited with raspberry notes. Fine tannins. I don’t buy much wine these days but I do try to buy Bindi most years. I just received a mixed 6 and put away a couple of bottles of the 2023 Original Vineyard Pinot into the cellar. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

At Andrew McConnell’s latest restaurant in Melbourne, Gimlet, which has some wow factor and a NewYork 1920’s like vibe. This Pinot is the new kid on the quality block in Australia. From the Macedon Ranges. Sweet black cherry fruit. Sous Bois. A long life ahead. — a year ago

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Whole bunch/green component coming through strongly. Old world weight and taste - peppery and spicy. Good pure fruit, but needs time to blend with the tannin and herbaceous notes. — 4 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.3

Curly Flat never fails to bring joy to my life. I recall tasting this vintage pre-release at the end of a long lunch on a brutally Victorian winter’s day just before Jeni kindly drove my partner and I to the airport (a story unto itself). I recall the striking vitality of the wine, a contrast to the perfumed ‘14 and more delicate, fine-boned ‘13. It’s no shy wallflower, for sure, with proper acid and structure and weight. That whole-bunch character comes through beautifully, without even a hint of unripe vegetal notes. This one coerces rather than seduces, but it’s nonetheless convincing. Happy to have another bottle or two stashed away, as there’s much more to come from this one. — 4 years ago

with Sam

Bob McDonald

9.6

This is a riper style than is normal for Craiglee which is usually quite cold climate peppery. This is full bodied showing blackberry, spice, liquorice and some black pepper. Always a reliable top quality Shiraz. The vineyard is just to the north of Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport in cool climate Macedon. Could see out the 2020s in the Cellar. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

At a good French restaurant in Sydney - Franca Brasserie. Place of Changing Winds is the brainchild of Robert Walters, one of the leading importers of Fine Wine into Australia - IFW. This is his local venture based in the Macedon Ranges, to the immediate north of Melbourne. Specialising in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 2020 as a vintage is well described on the label as “Annus Horribilis”. Terrible weather including a freak frost meant only 100 dozen bottles were produced. As often happens in these difficult vintages the resulting wine was very good - pretty and perfumed yet structured and fine boned at the same time. Looking forward to trying more bottles from this ultra boutique winery. — a year ago

Ross Bathgate

9.2

Always one of my favorites. Not the greatest vintage but still delightful at 14 years old. Thoroughly enjoyed it! — 4 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Bright transparent ruby. Subdued at first - high altitude?. Cherry liqueur, umami notes, wood spice and baking spices. Med high acid, low to medium body and tannin. Well balanced. Getting better with air — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

At my 2015 Chardonnay Challenge the Bindi Quartz was the consensus winner from 6 Chardonnays. Ripe grapefruit and mineral - very balanced. Finishes with a touch of moreish salinity. Quite an achievement to finish No. 1 in this field. — 10 months ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.3

It’s been a while between Curly pinots. Always a joy to open one, with fond memories attached along with the pleasure of the wine itself. Despite five years from vintage, this is still young and stern but elegant. Clear lines and structure, a spicy, cedary top note amongst red fruit and firm but soft tannins. Clean, I’d call it, plus whole bunch characters. Quality pinot undoubtedly, that should improve even more. — 3 years ago

with Sam