Bob McDonald

9.5

2008 was the first ever vintage of Bin 150, a Cuvee even to this day not seen often at Penfolds tastings. Chief Penfolds winemaker, Peter Gago said it best when he said, “A definitive Penfolds style based on Grange-quality vineyards and central Barossa terroir. “ When you reflect that most of their best Cuvées are multi regional blends, the Bin 150 from Marananga is somewhat unique. My notes for this wine - Rich dark red and black fruits. The Penfolds stamp of Choc/Mocha - an aristocratic nose showing the product of aged vines and excellent terroir. Will still be drinking well in the 2030s but is thoroughly enjoyable right now. — a day ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The 2014 Jimmy Watson Trophy winner. 30% whole bunch ferment; 2-3% Viognier co-fermented. The winemaker, Steve Pannell is highly awarded in Australia and made the following comment, “Wonderful now but I’ll be keeping a few bottles for a celebration in 2026 and suggest you do the same. “ Written on 17/11/23. This wine was intense in flavour without being too big. Black plum, spice and liquorice. Have the last one in 2030+ if I have the willpower. — 14 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous note for this wine tasted in early May 2026. This note still applies. I will leave the 3rd bottle for a couple of years to see if it delivers more tertiary characteristics. A great label. — 22 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

The 3rd of the Hurley Cuvées from Mornington Peninsula - the other 2 being Garamond and Hommage. I have Delectable notes on the latter two Cuvées. This wine was pale Ruby in colour - transparent. Nose of red cherry. Oak very much in the background. Light weight on the palate but full of flavour with M+ intensity. Hurley consider Lodestone to be the warmest of the three sites and provides us with the most powerful and structured of the wines. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A rich Crimson in colour. Cabernet aromas immediately noticed. A Bordeaux blend from Bolgheri, Tuscany. I’m sure this wine would be difficult to pick as Italian in a lineup of left bank Bordeaux from 2015. This has blackberry, plum and earth flavours all wrapped in spicy oak. Will go on into the early 2030s. Thoroughly enjoyable. Next in a couple of years. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Good minerality - wet stone, like many PYCM wines particularly from Saint Aubin, yellow fruits and citrus. 60 year old vines. Warmer site than Champlots. Looking at previous Delectable Notes for 2017 and 2015 for this Cuvée, the tasting notes are similar. — 18 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Sweet red fruits - red cherry and spice. Excellent for a Village Wine. Oak influence is handled expertly by Grivot. The commune and producer show through as well as the vintage. Have the last bottle in 12 months plus. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Wendouree again demonstrating its incredible longevity from very old vines. This Shiraz Mataro blend now 28 years old. Earthy savoury notes on nose and palate together with liquorice and mint. Many Wendouree wines regardless of the particular Cuvee have camphor/menthol notes early in their life but that note has morphed into ginger, eucalypt and compost heap notes with age. Firm yet fine tannins. Full bodied. Barb thought there was a porty note which I’m not totally on board with but I can see where she is coming from. The next night noticeable coffee grounds on the nose. An Australian curio. My last bottle. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Brief notes. Black Cherries, herbs , the warmer vintage reflected. A ripe palate. Easy to like. Last one in a year or two. — 17 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A gorgeous red fruited perfumed nose which transfers to the rich totally integrated palate. Definitely one of Australia’s best Pinots and IMO as good as its Reserve in many years (the latter being significantly more expensive than the Premium). The new owner Jacques Fourrier now charges round $1500 for the Reserve so I have stopped buying it. I recently served the 2017 Premium blind to my wine tasting group and they all picked it as a Burgundy. — 20 days ago