Western Sky

Best's

Bin No 1 Great Western Shiraz 2019

Meaty, charcuterie notes together with black and blue fruits. The palate is rich and savoury - full bodied on the earthy spectrum with ripe plum. Bests are an under the radar Gem in the Grampians. It should be a regular purchase particularly at the price. An average price of around $30. — 2 days ago

Aaron, Tom and 16 others liked this

Mulderbosch

Faithful Hound Merlot Blend 2019

Really, an earthy nose here... Cherry, yes... But in a way that I'd characterize as savory black forest cake if it was made of compost instead of sweet chocolate... On the palate, the dominant note I think would be graphite, but with the fuzzy tannins in there, it's not in a precise sense... A dull pencil in need of sharpening? At this point I'd probably need to also describe some green here... Green pepper? Tomato plant? Going back to the nose, I get the aroma now too... Gardening... This wine isn't lightweight... A sausage dish is I think where I'd go as far as pairing as there's some acidity here that could be useful for taming fat. We had this one paired with a flank steak, but really I might go to a fattier cowboy steak next time. The longer I enjoy this wine, the longer the finish seems to get... These tannins are a heck of a drug... With every sip, I actually want to savor more and more... A viscious cycle... — 17 days ago

Anita Beishuizen
with Anita

Moss Wood

Moss Wood Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Generally one of the best Cabernets in Margaret River and therefore Australia. Very dark Ruby in colour. Cassis and blackberry, ripe and rich. I would never pick this as Margaret River in a blind tasting. Where are the herbal notes? But still recognisable as a quality Cabernet. The 2009 Moss Wood was given a poor score of only 84 points by Huon Hooke who is one of Australia’s leading wine scribes. He said “over ripe fruit is the problem “. I have always rated Huon’s reviews and have been a long time subscriber to his website and always will be but I don’t believe he got this right. On 4th July 2012 he said “I can’t see this ageing well” and gave a drinking window of 2012 to 2018. Well tonight at 15 years of age it is drinking very well. James Halliday gave the wine 95 points. — 2 days ago

Tom, David and 16 others liked this
Travis W

Travis W Influencer Badge

Thanks for the note Bob. I've got a few in the cellar of this vintage. Are they good to hold for awhile longer? Cheers
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

Drinking well now Travis. Could go on for a few more years I would say.
Travis W

Travis W Influencer Badge

Thanks Bob. 😊👍

Rust en Vrede

Estate Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020

Deep Ruby color with aromas of dark black fruits, smoky herb and woody pepper spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum with cacao, burnt tobacco, vanilla and black pepper. Firm tannins, medium+ finish with fruit and spicy smoky oak ending. Will age a bit, 750 cases imported. — a month ago

Jake, Paul and 1 other liked this

Meerlust

Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017

Dark cherries and vanilla. Crowd pleaser and a pleasant drink. Went well with Springbock — 2 months ago

Bob, Ted and 6 others liked this

Leeuwin Estate

Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2016

Unscrewed and poured; no formal notes. These friggen Chardonnays from Margaret River. I’ve been blinded on them too many times to count and I never call it right. Instead, I always seem to call a high acid grape like Riesling of Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit is sometimes tropical, always with citrus and sometimes is shows green apple and always with awesome minerals. Acid is squarely in the high category. They are lovely wines that just seem to throw me for a loop. If Chablis, the Mosel and Sancerre had a love child. Drink now and through 2036 easy. A fabulous pairing with lamb massaman, larb and papaya salad. How can they hide the 100% new French oak so well?! — 2 days ago

Jeroen, Ira and 8 others liked this

Vasse Felix

Heytesbury Margaret River Chardonnay 2020

The QPR of these Aussie chards has been off the charts lately, even in their youth. This killer follows up some outstanding wines from last year, with notes of grapefruit, dried mango, lemongrass, fresh cream, and vanilla. Amazing mouth feel with a long finish that keeps begging me to identify new flavors and smells. — 16 days ago

Rupert & Rothschild (Anthonij Rupert & Benjamin de Rothschild)

Classique Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020

2020 vintage absolutely delish. Big and bold and very reasonably priced. — 2 months ago