Bob McDonald

9.4

Dense Ruby from an excellent ripe vintage. Blackberry, black currant and cassis - a classic South Australian Cabernet in all senses, complete with some herbal notes. It’s nothing like its big brother Bin 707 which is bigger and more full bodied even though the 407 has a drinking window through to 2045 according to the Rewards of Patience. The fruit for the 407 is multi regional from all major vineyard districts in South Australia. It is not often you open a 16 year old wine and say you’ve opened it too early but this could be the case here. — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Kid leather aromas with red savoury cherry also on the nose transferring to the medium weight palate. Very persistent attractive perfume. Quite delicious albeit with assertive tannins. This wine will continue in the cellar for at least another 5 years if desired. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Oodles of Coonawarra mint on the nose. The medium bodied palate shows blackberry, dark chocolate, and that same mint. If you ever wanted to know what an excellent Coonawarra Cabernet was like buy a bottle of this - it is textbook. Great winemaking from Sue Bell. Barb and I did vintage there in 2021. — 19 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

My last bottle of 2013 Art Series Chardonnay. This remains one of the top Chardonnays in Australia together with Giaconda and Bindi Quartz Block for mine. As per previous note aromatics of white peach and cashew together with mealy notes. Not as full bodied as other Art Series but certainly doing well at 13 years of age. I often identify a dried pear character and this has hints of that. 98 points from James Halliday. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Lemon rind aromas green apple, some tropical fruit as I said in January 2019, and a touch of honeysuckle. On the palate rich flavours - some butter and plenty of mineral at 11 years of age. Concentrated and delicious proving its Grand Cru credentials from Corton Charlemagne. This is an excellent GC White Burgundy from a producer better known for its holdings in Chassagne Montrachet. — 12 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Sweet rich ripe fruit - silky and savoury at the same time. A classy Pinot from the Yarra Valley - Serrat is Tom Carson’s private venture from his main role as winemaker for Yabby Lake. The following night a note of honeycomb from the oak. The spicy red fruit characters continue on the middle weight palate. — 16 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

The nose gives this away as a Burgundy rather than a new world Pinot - at least to my nose. Earthy and red fruited with mushrooms on nose and palate. The palate is restrained - and totally balanced between richness and restraint. Great terroir and well made. I note Jasper Morris MW comments about Les Cazetiers - “gives a feeling of refinement and precision “. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Aromatics of lime juice and talc/musk. A classic Watervale Riesling from the Clare Valley. On the palate those same limey flavours with a textural waxiness. Made by John Vickery who is regarded as the master of Australian Riesling. See my previous notes about John here on Delectable and his work with Leo Buring back in the 1970’s. Crazy good value - I paid $18 back in 2019. — 8 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous Delectable notes for this Cuvee. Quite ripe and new world in this 2015 vintage. This is my last bottle of an original 6. This wine made by Australian, Jane Eyre who has worked in Burgundy for almost 25 years. The news earlier this year is that Jane will take over as winemaker at Domaine du Comte Armand in Pommard - an Estate owned by the Comte Armand family since 1828. Congratulations to Jane and we wish her every success. — 14 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The pale lemon colour belies the luscious, opulent stone fruit nature on the medium to full bodied palate. Of all of the Kumeu River Cuvées, Coddington is regarded as the most opulent I believe. This is a real crowd pleaser - so easy to like. — 19 days ago