Bob McDonald

9.1

Another great value red from Coonawarra - this from Bowen Estate. I paid $27.50 at the cellar door in 2021. Their excellent Cabernet Sauvignon was the same price. In earlier days this Cuvée showed cooler climate characteristics of white pepper - not evident in this bottle. This shows more spice, red berries and black olives. Just a medium weight palate and obviously great QPR. Interestingly in the early days of Coonawarra, Shiraz was more planted than Cabernet Sauvignon - it’s the reverse these days. — a day ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Proving yet again that the Adelaide Hills makes excellent Chardonnay. Has been “worked “ somewhat. The winemaking team has a formidable brains trust with Adam Wadewitz as the Chief Winemaker with input from two MWs in Michael Hill-Smith and David leMire. An excellent modern take on Australian Chardonnay. Stone fruit, minerality, struck match - a nice citric acid cut to finish off. — 7 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

No notes taken. A good 2nd Growth from St Estephe. Savoury palate finishing dry. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Deep and rich - dark plum, rich spices - black pepper. Barb said red roses in the aromatics. On the medium to full bodied palate, savoury dried meats. This went well with stewed chicken legs - both savoury. Many would like a lighter red wine, even a full bodied white but this works well. The Mount Barker region produces excellent Shiraz and Riesling. The Block 9 Shiraz is a single site wine from dry grown wines planted in 1985. One of my favourite wine styles. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

The Wynns Black Label Cabernet is one of the stalwarts of the Australian wine scene - reliable and great value year in, year out. The currently available 2022 is the 67th consecutive vintage. This wine is my last 2008 - a classic Coonawarra Cabernet from a good vintage - with a long life into the late 2030s still in front of it. Red and black berries with mint. Full bodied with Medium plus length. Ridiculous value at $35. I’m hardly buying anything these days but this has been a regular purchase for me over the years. — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

See previous notes from April 2024. To be critical a little too much oak influence for my palate. The palate is rich and enjoyable overall. To state the obvious the Napa Valley does wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon. A surprisingly short drinking window given by James Molesworth thru to 2027. — 7 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Grown in the gravelly soils of Beechworth in the foothills of the Australian Alps. Nearby neighbours would be Giaconda, possibly the best Chardonnay in Australia. This was leaner than ideal but certainly an ideal terroir for cool climate Chardonnay. Good acid and tension but to be critical it lacks a little mid palate fruit. This was the first of 4. Will be interesting to see how it develops. Good value at $35 AUD. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

One of the 1001 wines. The brilliance of Mesnil is on show in Les Chetillons - let’s not forget that two of the most prestigious Champagnes are from here too, Salon and Krug’s Clos de Mesnil. This is much more reasonably priced than those two. When poured this has a very fine bead with voluminous mousse. The colour of bright straw yellow. The palate had broad developed notes with mushroom and toasted hazelnuts in the aromas. After a while a delightful note of poached pear. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Delectable- this is the Craighall vineyard, not offered in your database. As I’ve noted previously in the standard Dry River Pinot Noir that, to my palate, this is quite full bodied and not a typical Pinot profile. The colour was dark crimson with brown tinges. Rich opulent fruit - black cherry and plum. Bob Campbell MW alluded to this saying perhaps lacking “in varietal identity “ but still gave it 98 points. After 10 years I feel it should have developed more complexity. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Delectable- this is the multi vintage Penfolds Yattarna V - not listed in your extensive Penfolds library of wines. A blend of Yattarna vintages 2011, 12, 14, 16 and the 21. 20% of each of the 5 years in the blend. Very generous of our host to serve this wine which retailed north of $800 on release. No detailed notes / too much chit chat with the other tasters. The lasting impression was freshness and complexity. Citrus and grapefruit - incredible length. — 8 days ago