5/7/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

We've just been discussing how our tastes in Chardonnay have changed over time. There is too much oak in some of the wines we used to love. Not this one though. It has a brightness and freshness that is immensely appealing. There is a bit of citrus that accentuates the stone fruit. It has a nice long finish as well.

5/5/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Still drinking very well. Fully integrated and balanced. Perhaps it has lost a little bite, but holding up very well.

5/4/2023 - Andrew67 wrote:

This bottle at least is past its best by some way. Drink it up, use it for cooking, or pour it down the sink. Or take it to a party and leave it for others to consume lol. I'll probably use my last 2 bottles for cooking.

4/15/2023 - Andrew67 wrote:

Not convinced by this wine. It has the flavour profile of a good hunter shiraz, but lacks the structure I look for. Hmm - will give it a couple more years before I try another bottle.

4/16/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

The balance and structure is there. Plums, dark cherries, barnyard floor, mushrooms provide a savoury core, edging on the funky. Good length. I wonder how this will evolve.

4/9/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

This was another great Margaret River chardonnay, somewhat put in the shade by the Art Series that we had the same evening. Still wonderfully balanced, with the spicy oak providing the backbone.

4/9/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Stunning wine. I just wish I had a dozen more. Still drinking perfectly. The oak provides the backbone, and is beautifully integrated to the fruit. The best Margaret River chardonnays stand there with any in the world.

4/16/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Drinking very well. Still feels young and vibrant.

4/9/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Lovely but too young. Needs more time.

4/13/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Bang on Coppermine Road. Still very young but exactly what you expect from this wine. Give it another 5 years if you can.

4/15/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Another wonderfully balanced and structured Margaret River Chardonnay. It is the delicate use of oak that makes these wines so good, at least for me. Peach, meyer lemon, spicy oak, cream. Lovely.

4/12/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Given my last note, am not sure what has changed - probably me. I enjoyed this. It is not a big wine, but currently it is in a sweet spot of balance. It does lack a distinguishing element, but everything is harmonious. I thought I was moving away from La Pleiade, but this bottle, and a '10 we had a couple of weeks ago, are bringing me back. It has some life as well.

4/14/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

A nice Domaine A. Tight, balanced exactly what you would expect.

4/8/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Good quality Hunter shiraz drinking well, but will clearly improve over the next couple of years.

4/8/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Lovely wine. You need to decant, or at least run it through a fine mesh, there is a load of sediment. Despite the age, the wine has retained a fine structure. There is a ton of leather initially, but then the fruit comes through. Cherry and redcurrant primarily. Then the long finish held together by fine tannins. You have to enjoy aged wine to get this, but if you do the wine is awesome. It is not going to improve any more, but I think it has a couple more years in it.

4/7/2023 - Andrew67 wrote:

Decent enough wine, well made and balanced. It was just nothing stood out. May be it needs time.

4/9/2023 - Andrew67 wrote:

Brought home 08/04/23. Used for cooking

4/7/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Such a lovely wine. Savoury with great fruit power.

4/5/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Good structure and balance between the Shiraz and Cabernet. Would benefit from a couple more years development.

4/7/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

My last bottle and it was great. Absolutely loved this and wish I had a couple more bottles. It has developed so well in bottle. The fruit has evolved nicely without any fading. There is obvious oak that adds structure, and the finish remains long. No need to drink up if you have a bottle or two, but definitely worth saving for a good meal.

4/7/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

I drank this on the same night as my last bottle of the 2012. The 12 was a clear winner, but this wine is still very nice. It just needs another year or so to evolve further. It felt like it would handle some time as well, which is not always true of Hunter Chardonnay in my experience.

4/6/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

I am a huge fan of the Gladstones, and this is another good vintage. I think it needs more time though. The fruit is driving the overall effect, and my preference is for a little more development. Having said that, the fruit is nicely balanced, obviously picked at optimum ripeness. This one is for the long haul.

4/7/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

This bottle was quite youthful. Was expecting a bit more development. Very nice still, just not what I was expecting from a 7yr old Riesling.

4/6/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Drinking well. The fruit and tannins are in balance, nicely mellowed. I'd give this at least another 5 years

4/2/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Lovely riesling with persistent, balanced fruit. The acidity is mellowing and the resultant wine is starting to come into its own. It will still get better.

3/26/2023 - Andrew67 wrote:

Intense fruit, balanced with savoury notes.

3/25/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Beautiful wine. This has evolved so nicely. The length is excellent - just stays on the palate for ever. Honeyed lemon.

3/24/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Fine, structured, balanced. Good length. Drinking well now, but with space to improve.

3/22/2023 - Andrew67 wrote:

Drinking superbly. I was really surprised by the power and intensity. All with structure and balance. Feels like a decade ahead at least.

3/23/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Lovely wine. Showing power with finesse. The fruit is intense, but has evolved into a silky, smooth progression, with fine-grained tannins. It works.

3/23/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

I enjoyed the savoury nature of this wine.

2/25/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Balanced with good fruit and a tannic backbone that supports a long lingering finish.

2/23/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Drinking well. This is not a wine for keeping for the long haul, but it does get better with a few of years under the belt. Yum

2/24/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

As a young riesling this is good. Fresh, bright, good length. Looking forward to seeing this evolve

2/25/2023 - Andrew67 wrote:

A discordant wine. All the elements on their own are fine, but they really don't work together. This is not going to evolve into goodness. It's midweek drinking, but make sure you are sharing with a couple of other people. You won't finish a bottle on your own. And don't keep it - drink now

2/21/2023 - Andrew67 wrote:

Lovely wine, showing some honeyed notes on the palate. Green apple on the nose. Great length and lingering finish.

2/24/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

It took a good couple of hours to open up. After that was lovely.

2/19/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Balanced, good length, beginning to hits its straps. Very enjoyable.

2/19/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Young but with all the regular St Hugo Coonawarra notes. This will be awesome in another 5 years. Drinking well now but if you do like this wine with some age, its worth keeping.

2/17/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Still bright and fresh. No sign of ageing.

2/18/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

The fruit is intense but within a medium body frame. Plum and dark cherry with barnyard floor and some herbal notes. Firm, fine tannins hold the backbone. Good length as well. My partner is not convinced, but for me this is top notch pinot.

2/4/2023 - Andrew67 wrote:

Nearing the end of its life - mine was under cork. I have 1 more bottle that will get drunk as soon as I can find it. A shame because I do like this wine.

2/9/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Love this wine. Fruit and acidity finely balanced together with a long, delicious tail.

2/7/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Delicious. Drinking very nicely now with everything in balance.

2/4/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

I really liked this wine. So balanced for a Barossa shiraz. Everything is hanging together nicely. Looking at my past notes,

2/2/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

What makes this wine good is the structure. Good length with fine tannins that hold it together. As a contrast the fruit lacks a little finesse. The overall package is good though. Don't keep for the long haul - enjoy it the next 2 or 3 years.

2/3/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Last bottle. Still holding up well given the age. It won't last forever, but right now it is drinking very well. There is a level of brightness and life - it survived a night in the fridge for day 2 consumption. Quality (and a screwcap) will always win out.

1/29/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Just lovely. I agree with some other notes that it is fully developed now, but I saw no sign of fading yet. I'd say you could keep it for a while yet - as I intend to with my remaining bottles.

1/29/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Lovely structure and balance. There is cherry and plum as the primary fruit. Fine grained tannins and balanced acidity provide the core for a long finish. Hard to find fault.

1/28/2023 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:

Youthful - where will this end up in a few years? Awesome