Bob McDonald

8.9

Trophy Best Red Blend Qantas Wine Show of WA 2014 Trophy Best Older Red. 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot; 4% Petit Verdot. Leafy and savoury more than fruit driven. The second night - didn’t age well overnight. More astringent and bitter than the previous night. Lacks mid palate fruit ripeness. — 20 hours ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

I ended up editing my previous note of 68 weeks ago in drinking my last bottle on 4th May 2025. Blackberry currant and chocolate with a pruney note. A blend of 6 different vintages. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

See previous notes for the 2006 Stonewell. Supple and smooth showing masses of plum and blackberry from old vine Barossa Shiraz. Aniseed/liquorice notes. A certain astringency to finish off. A good but not great Stonewell. I could have left drinking this until its 20th year next year but I don’t think it would be any different. — 7 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Lemon yellow in colour. Stone fruit (peach) and melon notes; medium to full bodied palate - low acid. A delicious Hunter Valley Chardonnay showing its warmer climate origins from the excellent 2014 vintage. A creamy leesy peachy luscious Chardonnay still producing the requisite acid cut. A pity there is not more of this made with a wider distribution. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

I have previous Delectable notes. Crimson, becoming tawny, garnet on the edges. A medium + weight palate and medium + intensity. Sweet red fruits (strawberry). The next night quite a full bodied Pinot. Tannins are a little coarse. 99 points from James Halliday and his Pinot Noir of the year in 2017. I have 2 bottles left - next in a year. — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

A rich crimson in colour. Initially a note of Animale (Barb thought a brief note of cow yard) amongst the dusty cherry, dark fruits, violets and mushroom notes. Great balance between the 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied with smooth supple tannins. The next day: Elegance with length - shows the quality of the fruit IMO. My first Lafleur, I think, and it was excellent as expected. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Rich and mouth filling in the luscious Felton Road style. Only 20% whole bunch letting the quality of the ripe fruit speak. Intense red and black fruits - raspberry to the fore. This is just a “village “ wine in comparison to their illustrious Block 3 and Block 5 but it more than holds its own. Impossible not to enjoy this wine. — 9 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

A lovely tarry note initially amongst the red fruits. On the medium weight palate sweet and savoury red fruits. Love CdP from a good year like this one. 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault and the remaining 5% split between Muscardin, Counoise and Vaccarese. Completely destemmed and fruit driven. Soft pliant tannins. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A pale lemon yellow in colour - quite youthful looking for a 12 year old Chardonnay. Aromatics of white peach - mealy and nutty notes, still with a nice acid cut at the finish. Drinking at its peak. Fuller than some Marg River Chardonnays I’ve had lately like Xanadu and Fraser Gallop. I have had richer Art Series Chardonnays but personally I love the balance in this. — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

95% Sangiovese; 5% Canaiolo. Juicy savoury cherry earthy flavours. Persistent yet supple tannins. Perfect with homemade Pizza. — 9 days ago