Bob McDonald

9.1

Rich and ripe - still with balsamic notes - lovely aromatics. A lively nose from this excellent Chianti vintage. Plummy, savoury red fruits, earthy, a trace of mushroom. Goes without saying that this is an excellent food wine, even with the extra ripeness from the 2016 vintage. — a day ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See previous Delectable notes. Mid lemon in colour - brilliant clarity. On the nose and palate notes of ripe grapefruit, fresh herbs, wet stone and minerals. Medium plus acidity. The following night it still retains the tension and power when initially tasted. — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

See several previous Delectable notes for this Cuvée. I have 2 bottles left after this one. Penfolds have a whopping drink window up to 2045. The colour is a pale mid crimson with a tawny rim. Mocha, dark chocolate and blackberry notes on the nose. From a low yielding cool vintage which is made for long cellaring. Absolutely superb at the moment. Great palate intensity (mulberry, black berry and dark chocolate) with mellow resolved tannins and a very long persistent finish. No wonder Penfolds tasting book is called The Rewards of Patience. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous Delectable note from August 2024. A rich deep Ruby in colour. Traces of vanilla oak (coconut oak has toned down since initial tasting). Ripe red and black (plum) fruits. On the palate rich, intense and full bodied - sweet blackberry with hints of aniseed. As I said in the previous note, wines like this show the Barossa at its best. Will drink well through to the end of the 2020’s. — 20 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Delectable: Dry Red No. 3 is not a Shiraz blend. It is a blend of the Portuguese varieties of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Alvarelhao and Sousao. Aromas of red berries, dried herbs (sage) and a potpourri of spices. A savoury red fruited palate. Stellar winemaking from talented winemaker, Sarah Crowe, a former Halliday winemaker of the Year. Sarah shows confidence in blending these Portuguese red varieties to make this delicious red. Originally planted in 1990 in a hot dry corner of the vineyard by Dr Bailey Carrodus in order to make Port. A lovely and unique red wine from Sarah who I had the pleasure of sitting opposite at a Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane earlier this year. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

8.6

A rare wine, even in Australia. I bought this at the Cellar door on Bruny Island in December 2021 and have not seen another example since. A murky muddy dark Ruby with brown tinges. Sweet stewed fruit on the palate - blackcurrant, allspice and ripe red berries. Plenty of flavour without a lot of finesse. The winery claims to be the most southerly vineyard in Australia - a title also claimed by Home Hill on the Huon Peninsula in Tasmania. Not sure who is correct. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

One of my favourite Italian whites - this is made from the Falanghina grape which is the main grape of Campania. Harvested at full ripeness. Fermentation takes place as 70% in stainless steel and 30% in Barrique. See previous note here in April 2025. Not designed for long cellaring. Previous notes still apply. An ideal winter white wine. White flowers, herbal notes with unctuous ripe fruits on the palate. Impossible not to enjoy this. Sadly my last bottle. — 20 days ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

Particularly good value for the quality from a new producer (to me) in Patrick Sullivan. I paid $27 per bottle from this Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialist. Stone fruit and fresh herbs - excellent balance. According to the producer - made for immediate enjoyment. Fruit from the Gippsland district in southern Victoria. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Pale crimson in colour - nearly transparent. Has that luscious mouthfeel typical of many Tasmanian Pinot. Great palate intensity. Cherry with some stemmy herbal notes. One of those wines where the pale colour doesn’t prepare you for the profound palate intensity. Only 20% whole bunches in the ferment which shows sensitive intuitive winemaking. Winner of the Trophy for the best Pinot Noir at Royal Adelaide and also at Royal Hobart Wine Shows. Incredible value for such a highly awarded wine: 6 bottles @ $39.95 each. Luckily I have 3 bottles left. Plan to have one each year - 2027, 2028 and 2029. — 11 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid crimson with a tawny rim showing its age. Just as impressive as the 2000 vintage which tends to get the accolades. This blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Aromatics of an old flower arrangement that had dried off with mature black fruits and cedar. My last bottle at 24 years of age but many say this could carry on until the mid 2030s. A classic Bordeaux living up to its “Super Second” standing. — 20 days ago