Bob McDonald

9.1

Sweet black fruits - plums. Only medium weight - restrained. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. 2012 was a cooler more moderate growing season, more claret style says Sam Middleton. This is not one of the great Quintets IMO. At its best Quintets is one of the best Cabernet blends in Australia. It still reinforces the fact that the Yarra Valley is one of the better terroirs for Bordeaux blends in Australia. Not for long cellaring. This is first of 3 of the 2012 vintage I have in my cellar. — 11 days ago

Nicola

9.5

Bear says: Fruity and bright, backed up by a solid savoury structure. Not super heavy tannic, but complex and interesting and happy. Not shy. — 5 years ago

Carla D

9.5

Best ever Blackboard!!! Fragrant nose with dark berries on the palette; nothing you’d expect at this price point. A relatively full-bodied wine with a hint of chocolate says it all. — 7 years ago

Michael Walker

10

Fifth and last MS serving - straight down the fairway inky tannic deep purple napa cab. Somm says straddles the line btw the old school 70’s and modern styles - no acidity, no earth, no bitterness - totally clean — 3 years ago

Bruce Leboff

9.3

Boom. Huge and muscular. WS says past it’s window - but not to me! Nose of blackberry and slight secondary herbal notes Polished and smooth - with a huge Cali Cab sweetness but not overdone. Excellent way to end the year. !! — 4 years ago

with Danielle and David

Bret Barker

10

My buddy says let’s have a bottle of wine- why not? Then he shows up with the ‘61 latour?! The scene from Wayne’s world came to mind... I’m not worthy!! hands down the best wine I have ever had. It took a solid 90 minutes to open up and when it did- pure joy. I could just sit and smell this wine and be happy. It’s medium bodied with perfect acidity as it hits every part of the palate with dark fruit and mineral/ graphite and the finish is like silk. It’s almost like it just evaporates and lingers and you just want more! As I’m drinking I’m thinking... how do you keep ‘em on the farm once they’ve seen Paris. — 7 years ago

Susan Shock

9.2

Nina recommended this bottle to me. The label says dark and jammy with toasty vanilla notes, and I can actually taste all of that. I think I can also taste or smell the bourbon whiskey barrels that it is aged in. Very fruity and delicious but a little sweet for my tastes.  — 4 years ago

Marco Rodriguez

9.0

WS says value buy, and it’s on the money. Nice red fruit and floral upfront. Medium body with silky finish. $13-$14 price makes this Pinot an everyday wine. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Had this Margaret River icon on Christmas Eve with a nice grass fed Rib Fillet. A dusty blackberry nose. Not as herbal as the usual Moss Wood Cabernet. Full bodied from a good year with a long long future. Huon Hooke says to 2040. More reminiscent of a Cabernet from the eastern states in flavour profile. My first of 6. Should have the next in 4 or 5 years. — 5 years ago

Ken Venezio

9.0

Who says you have to pay top dollar for a good wine. This wine always delivers and it's easy to find for under $15. Michele Chiarlo has some quality product that won't break the bank. Market to table and you won't regret it. — 7 years ago