Bob McDonald

9.4

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon; 6% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Vintage rating 9/10. Ruby red in colour - somewhat translucent - not opaque. Herbal notes combining with savoury black fruits. Quite developed on the medium weight palate showing its age. Travelling well at 20 years but further cellaring will not improve the tasting experience which is outstanding right now - good pairing with a medium/rare T Bone for Sunday lunch and the Australian Open Tennis. Let’s go Alex de Minaur against the Djoker tonight!! — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Mid Ruby red in colour. Somewhat closed on the nose - red fruits - cherries in particular. After a decant and an hour with regular swirling still a muted nose. On the palate savoury red cherry with medium minus acidity. At 5 years it would appear to have a huge future - this is my first of 4 bottles. Solid and latent on the palate - yet to open up but the quality is there. Main Ridge was the first licensed winery on the Mornington Peninsula in 1975. This producer not always easy to source. Had another bottle 64 weeks later on the 10th May 2022 with similar tasting notes. Perfect balance between the red fruits and a touch of charred oak. Travelling well. Try and have the next one in 2023. — 3 years ago

Simon Gilligan

9.1

Travelling Spain, Marqués de Cáceres - crianza edition - is everywhere. Kept an eye out for a Reserva without luck, however picked up this Gran Reserva at Bilbao airport. 21€. 85% Tempranillo and a 15% mix of Graciano and Garnacha Tinta, dark dark fruits, rich cherry, dense, oaky with fruit cake spice. Nicely tannic. Big wine with plenty of length. Reminds me a of a Parker-esque Barossan. Wanted to like this more, but just a bit too rich and heavy-handed for me. Scrapes in for 91. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

A collection of great Australian Reds - Christmas break up of the Tennis Group on Monday. This was one of the best on the night. Still travelling well with say a 5 year future. Brilliant. Delectable: This is a Shiraz Cabernet released to commemorate 100 years of Wynns. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Pale to mid Lemon in colour. Stone fruit aromas. Mild stone fruit on the palate. Some good mineral and medium acid. Cannot see a long future for these 2015 village white burgundies with the warmer vintage although this Puligny-Montrachet is pleasant drinking now. I must visit a 2015 Premier Cru to see how it’s travelling. — 3 years ago

Leslie Bedolla

9.4

1979 held ip super well after travelling from France to the US then to Germany for the uncorking. Notes of dark cocoa, deep plum, cherry, saddle leather — 4 years ago

Simon Gilligan

9.0

Buying at the budget end while travelling is like throwing dice, but this Rioja Reserva (1 year in oak, 2 in bottle) delivered nicely at around 11€. Balanced, black/raspberry fruited, earthy, bit of spice, leather, gravelly tannin. If I find another bottle I’ll buy it! Ronda, Spain — 5 years ago

Debbie Bouma

9.1

Soft taste in a fantastic bottle of plastic, what means easy and light weight for travelling — 2 years ago

with John

Bob McDonald

9.1

Nothing to add to my previous notes. A well made Chardonnay from Chardonnay specialist, David Bicknell. Made in the leaner style. Travelling well at 10 years. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Ruby red in colour. Not giving much initially on the nose after decanting. Notes of menthol, light Cherry, and balsamic notes. Almost devoid of fruit but has a delicious savouriness with a skinnsy note on nose and palate. Fine dry, tarry and persistent tannins and remains an excellent Barbaresco travelling well at 10 years of age. — 4 years ago