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

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

Mitch Finne

9.4

Fantastically fresh with a touch of richness. Pleasant stone fruit and light pear notes. Not a lick of astringent acid. Superb for $15. — 10 months ago

with Jason

Delectable Wine

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9.0

The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard displays jalapeño, capsicum, pineapple candy and passionfruit aromas. The dense soils of the Auntsfield estate give the wine notable weight and texture. It is dry, clean and purposeful, with a lingering finish. Enjoy when young for its vigor. $20.00 (Rebecca Gibb, Vinous, May 2023) — 3 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.2

Far too young, but really good and promising — 5 years ago

Andrea Watt

9.3

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

9.0

Not the best 2000 I have had. Some harsh characters but still with nice fruit, eucalyptus and saddle leather. — 6 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

Mark S.

9.1

Oak, lime like herb in aroma. Rich, citrus, white flowers. Citrus, comfortable acidity. Each factor in the taste is showing the feature clearly. From Hunter valley which is an initial place for wine in Australia. Vat 47 Hunter Chardonnay Tyrrell’s 2018 @7546, Toscany JH, 231028-231111 — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with herb notes from young vines. On the palate flavors of lemon and peach with herb and honey notes. Lively acidity, medium+ finish ending with citrus and spice. Nice! — 4 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.0

A safe island during an ongoing shipwreck
Still primary character
Elegant and enjoyable — 6 years ago

Thomas Hillskog

9.0

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

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

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

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

#semillon tart. Interesting #australia #huntervalley — 5 years ago