
From the cellar - a little too cold on this cold night. More spice than the usual white and black pepper. Dried meat. See previous Delectable notes. An incredible Show Record:- Good Wine Guides Best Shiraz and Wine of the Year in 2011 - 98 points from Nick Stock. Giving more on the 2nd night. Incredible length of flavour - goes on and on. This has always been one of my favourite Australian Red Wines and I have tried to buy it on a regular basis but it has become very expensive (over $200) - no doubt because of its impeccable quality. Northern Rhone in style. Only 400 cases made. — 2 years ago


Lamy’s En Remilly is usually a wine I hold in higher regard, but this bottle was knocked back by a touch of… dare I say… premature oxidation. With Diam 30 and a thick white wax cap (plus a great track record), you can be sure this was again a function of bad cold chain in Malaysia. Sigh. Having said that, it was still a decent showing - loved the mineral saturation the wine displayed from start to finish. The nose was rich and still detailed with aromas of popcorn, wheat grain, iodine, pear, unripe pineapple, lanolin, and a tinge of mint as well as the dreaded oxidative musk. The palate was dense, saline, expectedly taut, and had a lovely texture that seemingly enveloped the tongue. The oxidative honey note was rather distracting in the finish, but a chill did help mask it. Actually superb with confited ocean trout, but I can’t help but feel robbed of the full enjoyment of this wine. — 4 years ago
This won the Trophy for the best White Wine at the Toowoomba Wine Show last weekend and went on to win Champion Wine of the Show. Colour is very pale lemon. Notes of green Apple - skins and flesh, also Lime. The palate has quince and mandarin notes - quite unctuous and fleshy on the palate - low acid and medium plus intensity. Even though the winery is in the Granite Belt/Ballandean the fruit is from Chalmers Vineyard in Mildura in Victoria. The 2020 vintage in Ballandean was probably the most challenging on record with droughts, fires and record low yields. As a result, no Vermentino was harvested at Golden Grove Estate. — 6 years ago
Mid crimson in colour. Notes of plum , raspberry and stalky notes. Ripe and fulsome on the palate Sweet Plums and Rhubarb flavours with earthy notes. Medium palate weight with medium plus intensity. From Australia’s most southerly vineyard in the Huon Valley of Tasmania. Has become somewhat of a cult boutique wine with a prolific record of medals and Trophies on the Australian Show Circuit. — 6 years ago
The 2015 Matthews ‘Columbia Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc is a really good effort from this highly challenging vintage for white wine that saw both heat spikes and a record early August harvest. Gooseberry and shades of green bell pepper with Japanese pear aromatics take shape in the glass. Showing good verve and a soft texture, the wine unveils nice nutty and damp earth tones that combine with the Gravenstein apple, kumquat and nutmeg infused sourdough bread flavors. Now at the five year mark the 2015 ‘Columbia Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc needs to be consumed over the next several years. Kudos to the talented Aryn Morell. Drink 2020-2023- 90 — 6 years ago
2017 La Staffa Verdicchio with pesto pasta & veggies. Pretty much perfection in dinner right there. This was a little shy on the nose, but is opening up beautifully. This is a nuanced, beautiful wine that I’m fighting a battle not to to drink too quickly as I want to savor & enjoy it. The record finds Damien Jurado delivering some of his finest work. He tells great stories in his songs, but the arrangements are irresistible that accompany his brilliant words. Hope everyone’s Saturday is ending as nicely as ours. — 7 years ago
Tasteful and delicious — 4 years ago
A bit disjointed. Heaps of oak then a bunch of acid on the finish. Missing the heart and soul of the wine. Had the ‘13 criot barard montrachet and I would rate that in the top 5 wines of my life. Maybe it needs more time? Madi LOVED it for the record. With schnitzel and gravy. — 3 years ago
Nose has tart strawberry, ripe black cherry, blackberry, dried soil with peat and faint creamy oak notes.
Palate has ripe blackberry, ripe cherry, dried garden soil, thawed strawberries, light cedar influence, decent finish but we're underwhelmed overall. Maybe closing up now, revisit in 3-5Y, 2025-27.
Cork pulled, slow oxidation for 3H.
Solid pairing to toasted Israeli couscous, za'atar and lightly fried eggs from the backyard egg factory. For us, eggs are always a great pair to Bourgogne Rouge, they balance wonderfully.
(Also, for the record, no photo trickery on the food pic, our Australorp eggs are indeed that orange; Good diet equals good eggs.) — 4 years ago


My contribution for a massive Grenache theme wine tasting (being as socially distanced as possible). This was alongside Cayuse God Only Knows, a 2011 No Girls Grenache, SQN Female, Saxum Terry Hogue, Lillian Grenache, 06 and 07 Beaucastel, and others.
Broken record, I know, but these wines are insanely delicious and so well crafted. Very much in the “love it or hate it” style, as typical with Cayuse wines. Much more spice and herbal lift here compared to the 2011. Stemmy, black peppercorn dusted rhubarb, olive, and smoked cherry jerky aromatics. Vibrant, almost nervy, on the palate with beautiful acidity. On the palate, it’s a back and forth between saline, iron driven savory notes and underripe fleshy red fruits. Compared to their Syrah, this is always a bit lighter and more bright. Seems to be drinking at peak. — 6 years ago



For the record ... Excellent! — 6 years ago
Macchia – Delicious Barbera 2023
Lodi, California – USA 🇺🇸
Overview
Barbera may be native to Italy, but in Lodi it thrives in the warm days and cool nights, producing generous, fruit-driven wines. Macchia has built a reputation for crafting some of the most expressive New World Barberas, with a track record of winning international medals (including Gold at the International Barbera Competition in Italy for earlier vintages). This 2023 vintage keeps that pedigree alive with a vibrant, approachable style.
Aromas & Flavors
Explodes with blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry layered with chocolate, spice, and hints of licorice. There’s an intensity of fruit without losing freshness, showing why Barbera adapts so beautifully outside its homeland.
Mouthfeel
Juicy, full of energy, with supple tannins and balancing acidity. Medium-plus body with a long, fruit-forward finish dusted with cocoa and spice.
Food Pairing
Pairs effortlessly with rich tomato pasta, grilled lamb chops, or a hearty sausage pizza. Also excellent with strong cheeses that complement its ripe fruit core.
The Verdict
Macchia delivers again with a Barbera that’s as delicious as its name. The 2023 vintage stands out as a casual yet compelling New World take on an Old World classic—backed by a winery whose style already carries international pedigree.
✨ Personal highlight: This wine style has pedigree from past events, but the 2023 is very much its own statement. It’s “delicious” in every sense and shows how consistent Macchia has been across vintages. Cheers! — 9 months ago
A CVed bother with no record! It’s still in excellent condition. Nice nose of autumnal leaves and ripe berries with good texture and finish. Yum. — 4 years ago
2014 vintage. This estate is extremely reliable and while it has a long track record of excellence, it has been shining even more under the reign of Olivier Bernard. Definitely among the best wines of the vintage, it features a complex nose with black fruits (blackberries, black cherries, cassis), intertwined with spices, a subtle smokiness and some floral hints. While it may not be as profound as the incredible 2015 and 2016 Domaine de Chevalier, this is an excellent wine in its own right and seriously good value at this quality level. Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) dominates the blend, combined with 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Layers of dark fruit, fresh acidity, combined with classic Pessac-Léognan spiciness and a ripe tannic backbone. Terrific length too. Highly recommended. Abv. 13,5%. — 4 years ago
Bright yellow in colour. Aromas of white flowers, toast, flint and kerosene. Traces of lime on the palate with a soapy texture - acid is largely resolved. This is why one ages dry Australian Riesling. Magnificent. The lime juice backbone when it was young is still there. 2002 in the Eden Valley was one of the coolest on record meaning long hang time and it has produced this exquisite long living Riesling. Luckily I have one left. — 5 years ago
Amazing! So many complex and delicious flavors! — 6 years ago
The 2015 vintage set a record for perfect 100 Point wines from Wine Enthusiast, and around half of those were from Saint Émilion. At $40/bottle buy this one!
Not as layered or deep as the best Bordeaux’s, this is earthy and smooth with a satisfying finish that just leaves you wanting a bit more. Again, at $40, I think the “bit more” would likely cost you 3-4 multiples at least. — 6 years ago
Pinotman /// Andreas
Well here is the thing - I tasted this along side the worlds record holder in speed tasting - so voila - I have no notes. This was an oddball white from Lake Garda with a unique flavor profile so it was up my alley. — 3 months ago