Mcdonald

Penfolds

Grange Hermitage Bin 95 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 1990

Another bottle off my bucket list.
First time tasting a Grange so nothing to compare it to, no idea how it compares to another vintage but it was definitely unique. I can’t think of anything I could compare it to. I didn’t want to lose the flavors by having food with it, just enjoyed through out the day and seeing how it developed. My rating might be high since I’m a rookie Granger. Latest review from Decanter

99
Decanter
Review Date: 02/2025
Read All Reviews
Mint, cream and distant woodsmoke on a cold day combine on this supremely fragrant, intense and pure nose. Ripe, dark fruit has flushed completely with that cool sense of mint and the creaminess of American oak, just as the tannins have fused completely, presenting a serene, elegant flow that creates a gorgeous aromatic unity. This comes with magnetic, gravitational pull that draws you in; close your eyes and you are in Australia. A wine of immense finesse and elegance, of immense youthfulness and expression at 35 years of age. Wow! (AK)

@Bob McDonald @Somm David T @Ron R
— 5 months ago

Somm, Daniel and 21 others liked this
Pooneet K

Pooneet K

*sorry phone added a random comment. Very much yes.
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

@Tegan Marriott I froze a smidge and sent it out in dry ice. It’s on the way.
Tegan Marriott

Tegan Marriott

Sweet deal!! 😄 That is a very honest business K&L and their refunding policies. Considering going through them when buying online

Yarra Yering

Underhill Shiraz 2016

Ron R
9.4

It’s been years since I tasted this wine. Indeed, I was drinking the stuff made by Dr Bailey Carrodus before he passed. I’m pleased to note that the current winemaker hasn’t stepped off the reservation.
Nose is brambly and dense. Notes of figs, dates and cedar waft from the glass. Not as dense on the mid-palate as i recall, but well balanced, with no overbearing oak. Texture on the palate invokes a crunchy mouthfeel. This will benefit from more cellaring, but drinking very well right now.
Thanks to @Bob McDonald for reminding me how much I have missed this wine.
— 2 years ago

Tom, Norman and 29 others liked this
Norman

Norman Premium Badge

Been years since I’ve tried one of these. Nice to see.
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I forgot to mention that it comes with a screw cap. I used my Coravin screw cap closure for the first time and it’s great. That Coravin innovation has revolutionized my wine tasting.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Ron R Thanks for the reference Ron. I can say again that Sarah Crowe is a more than worthy successor to the legendary Dr Bailey Carrodus as winemaker. It was a privilege to sit next to her at the recent Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane. It’s great you can source YY in the USA.

Bodega Chacra

Cincuenta y Cinco Pinot Noir 2010

@Bob McDonald cheers. One of the siblings of the Barda I mentioned. — 2 years ago

Juan, Ted and 3 others liked this

Xanadu Wines

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Blackberry and faint mulberry aromas and flavors, youthful but showing a little complexity already, longish finish, this is very good. This wine just smells/tastes like Margaret River Cabernet (@Bob McDonald, do you understand what I’m saying here?). — 10 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Dave, Andrew and 2 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Doug Powers Yes. I’ve tried a few Xanadu Cabs.

Fraser Gallop

Parterre Chardonnay 2022

Burnt match/sulphur initially, fair level of new oak, round and voluptuous, solid acidity, lingering finish, not sure how long this would age (@Bob McDonald, any thoughts), but liking this tonight a lot!! — a year ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Bob, Hermes and 3 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Their Cabernet Sauvignon is also worth checking out.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, we bought a bottle of their Palladian Chardonnay (2021) and also at least a bottle each of the Parterre and Pallidian Cabernet, super impressive!

Henschke

Peggy's Hill Eden Valley Riesling 2022

I believe this is my first time with a Henschke white. Intense citrusy nose along with florals and undertones of petro (nothing even close to a Grosset). A very zesty palate of some orchard fruit and plenty of acid. A moderate finish that I expect will extend once things better integrate. I assume like many Australian rieslings this will age , Is that a valid statement @Bob McDonald ? — 2 years ago

Jan, Severn and 24 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Ira Schwartz Over the weekend I tasted the full range of Henschke cuvées with Stephen and Pru Henschke and a group of wine lovers. Julius is their top Riesling from the Eden Valley and then Peggy’s. Both could easily age 10 plus years. Some fruit for Peggy’s is sourced from other growers. Eden Valley (home of Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone) is one of the best districts for Riesling in Australia.

Hardys

Eileen Hardy Shiraz 2015

Vintage 2015 | Finally. The wine awakens from a dormant period. Beautiful fruit - morello cherries - and a vibrant taste. Second day, paired with venison ragout: mocca, chocolate and autumn forrest @Bob McDonald you were right 🫶 — a year ago

Paul, Martijn and 15 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Peter van den Besselaar 👍Great vintage, great producer, great terroir. Should live for a while as well. Glad you enjoyed it.
Willem Jan Withagen

Willem Jan Withagen Influencer Badge

Nice to know...
So I'll start digging out my remaining bottles.

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 2015

We had this a few days ago and I misplaced my notes. Citrus mineral and intensity I recall. Probably committing infanticide drinking this now but there were good reasons to. Firstly our son and wife plus our daughter home for Christmas from New York and secondly my retirement after 53 years at McDonald Group. — a year ago

Jeroen, Peter and 29 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

Ira Schwartz Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Bob McDonald Congratulations, go and enjoy the next phase of your life!
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Ira Schwartz Thanks Ira. I have been reading your wine reviews for many years now and I look forward to continuing that.
Ira Schwartz

Ira Schwartz Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Bob McDonald Kind words, thanks . I will say, now that you have more time on your hands, I expect more reviews😆

Xanadu Wines

Stevens Road Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

A beauty. What Bob McDonald said about this wine is spot on! — 2 years ago

Bob, Ted and 2 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Thanks Byron This producer is winning many Trophies and Gold Medals in the Australian Show system currently.

Domaine Naturaliste

Morus Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Killer juice! What Bob McDonald said! Very fine. — 2 years ago

Bob, Jan and 7 others liked this