Bob McDonald

9.2

Dense Ruby with hints of purple. This wine is well named - very spicy on the nose with nutmeg, pepper and lavender in the aromatics. A medium bodied Syrah with fruit sourced from McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Langhorne Creek. Only 90 dozen made. 30% new and 70% used French Barriques. Excellent balance. I’ve not had much experience with this producer but very impressed with this wine and good value at only $35 AUD. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Lemon Yellow in colour. Aromatics of citrus, apple and white daisies (Barb). Very delicate on the palate with those aromatics of citrus and apple coming through with minerality. A touch of salinity to finish off. Like most PYCM bottles this is way too heavy. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Made by Tom Carson (chief winemaker at Yabby Lake) as his side project. 2013 and 2014 (the latter being Halliday’s wine of the year) of this wine were awarded Australia wide Trophies and Tom says this 2015 is just as good. Sweet red fruits (mulberry) with heaps of spice - Barb said peppery notes. A fabulous wine with impeccable balance- a perfect match with the free range chicken dish that Barb created. 98 points from James Halliday. Tom Carson for the last few years has been Chief Judge of the Royal Queensland Wine Show. His expertise shows in his winemaking. — 14 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Probably the best example of a new world Nebbiolo from the Australian master of alternative varieties as in Steve Pannell. See previous more detailed notes on Delectable - 182 weeks ago. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Dark Ruby with a tinge of youthful purple. Red berries, cranberries, liquorice and spice. Ultra savoury on the medium bodied palate. Mainly the Portuguese Port varieties originally planted by Bailey Carrodus in order to produce Port. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao,Trincadeira, Souzao - also Tempranillo and Alvarelhao. Yarra Yering have produced a delicious and different dry red and a brilliant food wine. 95 points from Halliday Wine Companion. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale lemon yellow in colour. Aromas of talc and orange/mandarin skin. Palate of medium plus intensity showing mandarin flesh and lime. A cool to cold climate terroir at Henty on Victoria’s south west coast facing the southern Ocean and ensuring a long ripening period. At 11 years still very lively - the mouth puckering acid of its youth has diminished but enough there to ensure a few more years in the cellar. An exceptional Riesling and one of Australia’s best IMO. — 16 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Mid crimson in colour. Dusty notes of dried cherries, balsamic notes. Well made with good balance from a very reputable producer. Medium plus bodied - fuller than the average Rosso. Ripe fruit from the excellent 2019 vintage finishing with fine powdery tannins. Overall excellent. I will enjoy the Brunello from Salvioni in many years to come. Expensive for a Rosso at $170AUD. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Pale lemon in colour. From Campania arguably the home of Fiano not forgetting it is also grown in Sicily. Restrained aromas of pear, honeysuckle and apple. Those descriptors coming through on the medium bodied palate finishing dry with stacks of salinity. Refreshing and moreish. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

This is generally regarded as the best example of Shiraz Viognier in Australia but recently I tried a 2015 Serrat Shiraz Viognier which was the equal of Clonakilla if not better. As per previous Delectable notes this bottle had the trademark dried spices, cloves a trace of pepper and dried meat. Barely medium weight and always a joy to drink. My last bottle. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

The colour is becoming more tawny since my last tasting in 2023. Lovely aromatics of red fruits and Sous Bois. Manages to combine the characteristics of both Tasmania’s Coal River Valley Pinot Noir and Steve Flamsteed’s excellent winemaking (ex Giant Steps Yarra Valley). I have previous Delectable notes on this wine. Sweet red cherry. Fleshy and supple. This wine scooped the pool at the 2019 Royal Queensland Wine Awards winning Best Pinot Noir of Show; Best Red Table Wine; Best Single Vineyard Red and Grand Champion Wine of Show. Since the acquisition of Giant Steps by the Jackson Family I’m not sure that the Nocton Vineyard is still made? Postscript: Research on line indicates that no vintage of Nocton was made after this one in 2018. — 16 days ago