Bob McDonald

WSET Level 3 Pass with Distinction.

4847 wines • 323 followers • 223 following

Leeuwin Estate

Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2019

9.5

Pale lemon in colour - crystal clear. Probably drinking this a little young even at 7 years of age. Initial funky notes amongst the nutty notes. At 7 years the oak is assimilating with the peach. Great intensity as you come to expect from the Art Series. At least another 5 plus years in the cellar would not be a problem. — 5 days ago

Jeroen, Tom and 21 others liked this

@Kapyrick Wine My first of 3. Will be interesting to see how the remaining 2 bottles develop over the next few years.

They will be fantastic. The true test will be your tolerance for aged chardonnay. Leeuwin is a great producer, and the Art Series wines are fantastic. I have only enjoyed at a 10 year max, because I was worried they would go bad, but they would have been good longer at my tolerance . Enjoy!!!!!!!!

@Kapyrick Wine I have been drinking this Cuvée for many years now and we often have tastings to judge the best Australian Chardonnay. Giaconda and Bindi Quartz block are also in the mix. A few months ago I had my last 2013 Art Series and it was stellar.

Domaine Faiveley (Joseph Faiveley)

Joseph Faiveley Vosne-Romanée Pinot Noir 2019

9.1

Brief notes. Ripe enough for one to confuse this as a new world Pinot Noir from this warmer vintage. Dark fruits on nose and palate. Supple tannins. — a month ago

Ray, Tom and 15 others liked this

Le Chiuse

Rosso di Montalcino Sangiovese 2022

9.2

Dried red cherry and balsamic notes with a touch of sage. An excellent Rosso. One of the remarkable features is the location of the vineyard which once fed the Biondi Santi Riservas and is alongside the current Biondi Santi according to former Delectable poster Eric Guido. — a month ago

Tom, Jamie and 15 others liked this

@Jamie Lauder Yes Jamie, I have a 2010 Brunello Riserva and regular Brunello from 15, 19 and 22 - all waiting for the right time.

Bob,….you are the best.

You are thinking long game with those Brunello from great vintages.
I have a feeling we will be talking about those in a couple of years.
I can’t wait.
🥂🥂

@Jamie Lauder 👌

Henschke

Cyril Henschke Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1986

9.5

Bob had this 21 days ago

with Jim and Doug

Bob, Paul and 23 others liked this

@Bob McDonald, thanks, any thought/comments, when it’s CONVENIENT for you, will be most appreciated!! Safe travels!

Sounds delicious

@Doug Powers Certainly the producer and vintage are excellent.

Tolpuddle Vineyard

Tasmania Chardonnay 2021

9.4

Mid Lemon in colour. On the nose, flinty and funky - nutty (cashew) nuances. Great tension on the palate. Decanter Magazine named this wine as their 2022 White Wine of the Year. Drink the next in a year if I can keep my hands off it. — a month ago

Jeroen, Ray and 17 others liked this

We had this too recently amidst a lot of high end burgs, but in terms of qpr this was my wine of the evening

I agree. It would’ve been.

Grosset

Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2016

9.7

Fresh and pristine even at 10 years of age. Arguably Australia’s best Riesling - certainly in the top 3. Aromatics of lime juice with a tiny hint of TDN (paraffin in this case) and a hint of honey. Overall ultra pure with M+ intensity and a touch of peach on the palate. This could be confidentally cellared for another 5 years for added complexity. Dry Riesling doesn’t get much better than this. — a month ago

Tom, Tom and 17 others liked this

@Bob McDonald no gasoline on the nose? Have some older ones I need to pull.

Wow

La Cerbaiola di Salvioni Giulio

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

9.5

A top quality Brunello - rich and succulent - ripe red cherry, savoury spices, touch of mint - many influences. A classy aromatic Brunello from a good vintage with many years to go. My first of the 2013s. It will be interesting to see how the other bottles develop over the next 5 to 10 years. — a month ago

Jeroen, Tom and 13 others liked this

Nice!!

Ceccherini Cristiano

💥

Philippe Chavy

Les Pucelles Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Chardonnay 2014

9.3

Brief notes. A better experience than my tasting in January 2026, although it was pretty good - I just wasn’t impressed with the QPR. This ticked all the boxes expected for a Premier Cru White Burgundy. Citric more than stone fruit. Everything in balance including the oak. From the excellent white burgundy vintage of 2014. — a month ago

"Odedi", Serge and 14 others liked this

Isole e Olena

Cepparello Estate Bottled Toscana Sangiovese 2016

9.2

See previous note in November 2024. Same notes still apply. Rich cherry and spice. Previous note said drink the last one in mid 2026, so I was close and the previous notes still apply. Morrell said that 2016 is “without a doubt, the finest vintage for Chianti Classico.” Excellent. — a month ago

Ira, Tom and 16 others liked this

Seppelt

St Peters Grampians Shiraz 2008

9.4

Deep crimson with a bluish tinge. Medium to full bodied - palate of cherries, liquorice and spice finishing with fine sandy tannins. I love Shiraz from the Grampians district - home to one of my favourites - Mt. Langhi Ghiran. The first of 2 bottles - next in 2030. — a month ago

Jamie, Scott@Mister and 16 others liked this

@Bob McDonald, as usual, thanks for the education, I had no idea they were doing wine from the Grampians!

@Doug Powers 👍