Bob McDonald

9.5

See 3 previous Delectable notes. This was my last bottle of the best new world Vermentino I’ve had. Green apple, medium acid. Grand Champion of the Toowoomba Wine Show in 2021 when I was a Judge. Quite delicious - more full bodied than any Italian Vermentino I’ve had. The palate is quite unctuous with mandarin and quince. Even though the winery is in Queensland on the Granite Belt, the fruit comes from the Mildura (NW Victoria) warm region. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Delectable - this is the Nocton Vineyard - not available in your database. From the Coal River valley in Tasmania. Lovely aromatics of black cherry and spice. Giant Steps is based in the Yarra Valley and is owned these days by the Jackson Family from the USA. Gorgeous fruit from the terroir of the Coal River, a renowned district for Pinot Noir. An incredible show record of 3 Trophies from the 2019 Royal Queensland Wine Show. Best Pinot Noir, Best Red Table Wine and Champion Wine of the Show. At this year’s RQ Wine Show Giant Steps repeated the Trophy feat with their 2022 Sexton Vineyard (Yarra Valley) Pinot Noir winning the same Trophies. The same award winning wine making team except for Steve Flamsteed who is now a consultant to the Jackson team. Amazing power on the palate of the Nocton - Asian spices, somewhat voluptuous finishing with silky tannins. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Drank this last Sunday for Mother’s Day. Arras is probably Australia’s best Sparkling producer. Of recent years certainly the most awarded. A few years ago this 2007 won Best Sparkling at the Royal Queensland Wine Show and then the Trophy for Champion Wine of the Show! The wine itself is mid Lemon in colour - low on fizz - we drank this from Burgundy glasses. Bakery aromas with Lemon Curd. 78% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Noir. The lemon/citrus flavours derived from the Chardonnay. The following day Sherbet, Honeycomb and Quince. 7 years on Lees giving a wonderful complexity and ridiculous value at only $60. I don’t know how Ed Carr can do it. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous Delectable notes from 2021 and 2022. Always a class act from Tom Carson and in the top echelon of Pinots from Mornington Peninsula. A beautiful red fruited perfume with stewed fruits. A percentage of whole bunch in the ferment. Richness on the palate with depth. A well made wine from a good vintage. Lucky I have one left. Had the last one on 6/12/24. Not showing as well as previous tastings but still pretty good. Rich red fruits. I notice this won the Stodart Trophy at the Royal Queensland Wine Show for best Young Red of Show. — 9 months ago

Mari

9.0

Deep golden color, full body, buttery mouthfeel with flavors of biscuit and bread. — 2 years ago

Sharon B

9.3

Semi dry, very fruit forward. Cabernet Merlot blend. — 4 years ago

Myke Morgan

9.1

Very smooth, light, non tannin’y and drinkable. A hint of tobacco, plum, cranberry, and grape. — 5 years ago

with Anjanette

Bob McDonald

9.2

Currently about 5 hours east of Melbourne in east Gippsland tasting this brilliant William Downie Pinot Noir. See several previous Delectable notes from earlier vintages. This wine manages to combine light to medium weight with medium plus intensity. Red fruited with Sous Bois. Downie is a gifted winemaker working in an excellent terroir for Pinot Noir. Would like to have more access to his wines up in Queensland. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

A week ago I posted a tasting note on the 2018 Giant Steps Nocton Vineyard Pinot Noir that had won 3 Trophies at the 2019 Royal Queensland Wine Show. This Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot repeated the 3 Trophy win at this year’s Royal Queensland Wine Show a month ago. Pale Ruby in colour - lovely aromatics - red fruited, rose petals. Wonderful palate intensity. Barely medium bodied. I wonder how this will cellar? It is so good now you wonder how much better it can get. I have been a long time admirer of Giant Steps and winemaker Steve Flamsteed who I knew from Toowoomba but what is disappointing is how the price has doubled under the new ownership. I used to pay $45 to $50 for the individual Cuvées and now a little over $90! — a year ago

Scott Rowe

9.0

Lychee bomb!!!! 💣
Reminiscent of flat Passiona.
Tasty and drinkable. — 5 years ago