Bob McDonald

9.5

A gorgeous nose from the inclusion of Viognier- Violets and spices ( cinnamon and cloves). Any waiting to submit? I can continue! On the medium bodied palate there is white pepper together with red fruits and the spices mentioned earlier on the nose. Probably Australia’s best Shiraz Viognier - up there with Serrat. See previous Delectable notes - my last bottle of the 2010. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Hopefully Delectable will allow me to write a complete note. Here we go ….
Dark Ruby with a crimson rim. Closed on the nose initially. Straight from the bottle - should have decanted it. Rich on the palate. Latent power with much to give. Dark cherry with dried herbs still to come with further cellaring. This is the first of 5 bottles. In the early days Block 3 was the undisputed best Pinot in NZ but now Block 5 is considered along with other contenders from around NZ. Have the next one in a year. Many good judges think this is the best ever Block 3 up to this point. — 3 months ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Brilliant sunshot yellow with bright lemon custard cream notes… 11% abv silky smoothen round weightless palate of lemon curd, honey, and lanolin. Rich, round, and woolly. God, I love aged Hunter Valley Semillon. All smiles for a Sunshine Coast Italian lunch. G’day from 85 degree Australia. — 6 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.3

Paired with duck and absolutely perfect. So soft with sweet fruit still evident and such soft dusty tannins. Lovely. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Sourced from several regions, pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits, spice, floral and citrus notes. On the palate flavors of apple, peach & apricot with notes of honeysuckle and citrus zest wrapped in savory toasty biscuit notes. Smooth long finish, well balanced, nice acidity, ending with fruit, yeasty and mineral character. Nice! — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Brief notes. Meaty aromas - very savoury. See previous notes re this being Bryan Martin’s private venture while still working at Clonakilla with their Shiraz Viognier being the benchmark in the country. Love this Northern Rhone style wine. I was expecting pepper but got more spice and charcuterie. — 4 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.6

Outstanding block 5. Much more concentration and power than precious vintages. Strawberry, raspberry, pepper, wood spice. The power of the very best from Central Otago but with an elegance.
Really great pinot.
— 21 days ago

Thomas Hillskog

9.0

Still fresh and fruity with with typical, complex maturity flavours. — 3 months ago

Magnus Hovet

9.2

Really smooth. A lot more dark plums, and softer tannins. Earthiness, small amount of spice and looong aftertaste — 3 months ago

Pete

9.1

Crisp! Some acidity but not hateful, green apple and some grapefruit. Sadly purchased on close out, hope I can find again. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Clonakilla O’Riada Shiraz 2023
Canberra District, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A cool-climate Shiraz sourced from Clonakilla’s estate vineyards and selected sites in Murrumbateman and Hall, delivering a layered, elegant, and highly approachable expression of Canberra District Syrah. Rather than power and heat, this wine emphasizes aromatic lift, red-fruit purity, and graceful structure, shaped by the region’s clay-driven soils and precise ripening conditions.

Aromas & Flavors
Highly perfumed aromatics jump from the glass with vibrant red berries, cranberry, fresh plum skin, and subtle floral tones. The palate mirrors the nose beautifully, offering juicy red cherry, gentle spice, and soft earthy undertones with excellent clarity and progression. Everything feels expressive yet controlled, with freshness driving the overall balance.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, silky, and energetic. The texture is smooth and polished with fine tannins and lively acidity, giving the wine a graceful flow across the palate. Approachable and effortless to drink without sacrificing depth or finesse.

Food Pairings
Grilled lamb chops with herbs. Roast chicken with mushroom jus. Charcuterie and soft aged cheeses. Duck breast with cherry reduction. Mediterranean vegetable dishes.

Verdict
A refined, cool-climate Shiraz that feels more about elegance than intensity. Perfumed, vibrant, and beautifully composed, this is a wine that delivers complexity without heaviness, polished, expressive, and quietly impressive.

Did You Know?
Canberra District sits at higher elevation with cooler nights than many Australian regions, preserving acidity and aromatic freshness in Shiraz. Clay-based soils help regulate water stress and promote slow, even ripening, contributing to purity and balance rather than overt ripeness.

🍷 Personal Pick
I love when a wine smells exactly like it tastes — this one delivers pure harmony between nose and palate. Youthful, vibrant, impossible to stop at one glass, and deceptively elegant. A dangerous crowd-pleaser with real finesse. — 5 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.6

Magnificent! So fragrant and velvety, there is a good reason hunter Shiraz used to be called Burgundy. Fruit still vibrant with lovely tertiary characters. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous Delectable note in December 2024. Amazingly pale for a 14 year old white. Aromatics of lemon, lanolin and wet straw. It hasn’t yet developed the toasty characters I was expecting, indicating still a long life ahead. Overall this is delicate on a light bodied leanish palate. Only 11% ABV. Lovers of big buttery Chardonnay may not appreciate this wine. 3 bottles left - I will try and have the next one in 12 to 18 months. — 9 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.3

Quite good with toffee, apricot, honey, almond, and marmalade. — a month ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

8.9

Mega earthy — 2 months ago

Magnus Hovet

9.2

Maybe the best chard I have had, jumps out of the glass, aromatic and on the palate quite smooth and silky but still got enough acidity to balance it out. Honeysuckle, melon and some peaches. Really lovely — 3 months ago

Douglas Braun

9.1

2022 -Vintage - very floral pretty aromatics good balance — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Tyrrell’s — Vat 1 Semillon 2018
Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A benchmark, 100% Semillon from one of Australia’s most historic producers, crafted from old vines in the Hunter Valley, a region globally revered for producing age-worthy, low-alcohol, high-acid Semillon of extraordinary precision and longevity. This cuvée captures purity, tension, and evolution in perfect balance, expressing both site transparency and classic Tyrrell’s restraint.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted citrus blossom, lemon curd, kaffir lime, and delicate white florals lead the aromatics. Subtle layers of green apple skin, preserved lemon, and faint tropical notes emerge with air. Underneath, a gentle mineral thread, wet stone and crushed river rock, adds depth and quiet complexity without overpowering the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Silky, finely textured, and beautifully tension-driven. Creamy without weight, with linear acidity carrying the wine effortlessly across the palate. The structure feels energetic and precise, offering freshness, elegance, and remarkable drinkability without richness or heaviness.

Food Pairings
Oysters with citrus mignonette. Grilled prawns with lemon butter. Poached halibut with herbs. Sushi and sashimi. Fresh chèvre or lightly aged goat cheese.

Verdict
An exceptional example of New World Semillon executed with Old World discipline. Elegant, mineral-driven, and quietly powerful, this wine delivers layered complexity while remaining feather-light on its feet. A timeless style that continues to reward both immediate pleasure and long-term cellaring.

Did You Know?
Hunter Valley Semillon is famous for being bottled young at low alcohol and evolving dramatically with age, developing toast, honey, and lanolin complexity over decades while maintaining razor-sharp acidity. Tyrrell’s Vat Semillon wines have been among Australia’s most collectible and ageworthy whites for generations.

🍷 Personal Pick
Pure nostalgia in a glass. This wine reconnects me with the region that sparked my early love for Australian whites, refined, disciplined, expressive, and endlessly drinkable. A masterclass in tension, restraint, and terroir clarity. This is Semillon at its highest form. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See several previous Delectable notes for this wine. This is my last bottle. A lovely mature Riesling developing Kerosene and toasty honey notes. The Canberra district is an ideal district for quality Riesling with neighbours Helm, also a reliable excellent producer. This wine won best Canberra Riesling, Best Riesling, Best White, and Champion Wine of the Show at the Canberra Regional Wine Show. A full house of Trophies! — 9 months ago

Sally Rose McCormack

9.1

Bought in Wanaka, best wine out of all the ones during the wine tasting. Delicious!!

Saved the bottle and drank 4 years later, was a little tangy. We probably left it too long. Still really nice though! — 4 years ago