Maison Champy Chambolle-Musigny Les Bussières 2005

Still hot, I was keen to try this Burgundy from Chambolle-Musigny. Opened to show fine aromas of raspberries, cherries, blackcurrant, licorice, sweet musk and a little forest floor. The palate was quite powerful, but balanced with rich berry fruits over solid but refined tannins. Length was good and finish quite soft and rich, with a slight peppery edge. This was quite a masculine/feminine wine and very enjoyable.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Serge Dagueneau Pouilly-Fumé 2007

On a very hot and close evening, we opened this Sauvignon Blanc to cool down. On the bouquet were aromas of gooseberry, blackcurrant, white flowers and a touch of nuts. The palate was dry, well balanced and quite minerally, with nice soft balance and dry finish. Overall a very elegant wine, but was a little inexpressive and a touch boring.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Lucien Muzard Santenay Champs Claude 2005

Some red burgundy for dinner, and this one being from Santenay, west of Chassange-Montrachet. On the nose were lovely aromas of red cherries, raspberries, tomato leaf, sap, cola and soft spice. The palate was superbly balanced with soft velvet tannins, bright-ish acid and fruits. Length was decent and finish soft. All up a wonderful, silky, feminine wine which was joy to drink, and well worth $50.
50+4+14+17+8 = 93/100

Pascal Cotat La Grande Cote Sancerre 2007

After some Champagne, I opened this Sancerre which is all we had left to drink in the house. On the bouquet were aromas of lime, chalk, lemon, hints of lavendar and gooseberry, yellow flowers, honey, stalks and more. The palate was superbly integrated, with cool soft fruits over powdery minerals, contradicted by a soft waxy texture. Overall this was stunning Sancerre, very elegent and slightly bemusing. Very different to the other Cotat I have tried some time back. Highly recommended.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Domaine Du Gros' Noré Rosé 2007

For Deborahs birthday we opened a bottle of this rose from Bandol, of which we had the 2005 some time ago. On the bouquet it was quite complex with aromas of red currant, strawberry, menthol, garrigue, stones, earth, musk, orange peel and rose petals. On the palate it was superbly balanced, with soft almost creamy juicy fruit, rich but light and wonderfully dry finish. A little less masculine than the 2005, this showed how great rose can be. Excellent.
50+5+13+17+8 = 93/100

Dugat-Py Gevrey Chambertin Coeur De Roy 2006

For a special dinner with a departing work colleague, I splashed out on this Burgundy, which was served in some very large stemware. On the nose were aromas of blackberries, cherry, caramel, chocolate, earth and some spice. The palate was very well balanced with soft fruits wrapped in very svelte tannins. Overall quite light in body, but depth was there in an ethereal way. Quite a lovely burgundy, but just a little overpriced. Delicious.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Marques de Caceres Rioja Reserva 2002

We had this wine a few weeks ago at a friends dinner party, and were impressed enough to try again. On the nose were aromas of raspberries, rose petal, tobacco, coffee, mocha, earth and some spices. The palate was well balanced, although acidity seemed a little faded, but tannins and fruits were generous and well integrated. An older fashioned wine in style, but still very good. May not have much time ahead of it. Seemed better at the party??
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Château Haut-Madrac Cru Bourgeois Haut-Medoc 2006

For our Steak au Poivre dinner, I opened another $20 Bordeaux, this time a Haut-Medoc. The bouquet held aromas of blackberries, vanilla, cedar, black pepper and spices. On the palate it was quite suave, with ripe fruits over some lovely tannis. Good mouthfeel and finish. Suited our dinner very well, and did get better with airing. Great value.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Mountadam Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008

Was interested in trying a budget wine from Mountadam. Around $10 this SSB opened to pleasant aromas of passion fruit, snow pea, capsicum, citrus, tropical fruits and melon. On the palate it was a little thin, but well balanced with no problems. After a while I just found this a touch prosaic, even boring. But it is worth $10.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Quartz Reef Pinot Noir 2006

For dinner we opened this Central Otago pinot, as we were having a bit of duck. On the bouquet were some big aromas of cherries, berries, plum, sap and a little spiced peel. On the palate it was quite fleshy with good tannins, balanced acidity and lenghty finish. Only downside was just a touch of alcohol heat peaking through. Otherwise a very good effort for Otago pinot.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Gunderloch Red Stone Riesling 2007

Lately have been quite impressed with a few German rieslings. This wine from Rheinhessen showed lovely aromas of citrus, herbs, honey, nuts and smoke. The palate was off-dry with sweetness very nicely offset by sappy fruit, stony minerality and smoke flavours. A lovely riesling, and good value at $25.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Picardy Pinot Noir 2007

The only wines I have tried from this maker have been their Chardonnays, which are quite good. Interested in trying one of their reds. This pinot opened to a rich bouquet of red cherries, strawberries, some sappy notes and a little sweet spice. The palate was quite generous in fruits, with some ripe tannins and balanced acid. At times it did seem a little sweet but overall quite a stylish pinot. Not bad.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Château Haut-Cabut 2006

Was pleased to see some new Bordeaux imports around $20 at DMs, this one being a Premières-Côtes-de-Blay. Opened to an attractive bouquet of red berries, mocha, spice and a touch of mint. On the palate it was absolutely fine, with good balance and decent structure. Tannins were soft, wood was understated and finish quite pleasant. Very good value Bordeaux.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Henri Bourgeois Les Baronnes Sancerre 2007

Needing a fine aperitif I grabbed a bottle of this Sancerre, one which I haven't seen or tried before. On the bouquet were aromas of citrus, asparagus, grass, herbs, sweet musk and rosewater. On the palate it was very refined, with some lovely controlled citrus fruits over chalky minerals. Well toned and soft finish made this quite an excellent Sancerre.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Weingut Stadt Krems Kremstal DAC Reserve Kögl Riesling 2007

Out for a good bit of riesling, I picked up this Austrian wine which I am sure I have not tried before. Opened to a lovely clean bouquet of apricot, peach, honey, slate, flint and a touch of lemon. On the palate it showed lovely minerals, with clean fruits with honey. Weight was light to mid and nicely toned, with a soft dry finish. Quite a lovely riesling.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Toolangi Estate Chardonnay 2006

Was pleased to see this wine in store, as I rember the 2002 vintage being outstanding. Opened to aromas of melon, cashews, herbs, citrus, cream, nougat and a little ginger and spice. On the palate it was well balanced with fruits and oak tightly integrated. Finish was lengthy and dry. Again a very classy chardonnay, and although not up there with the 2002, still wonderful drinking.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Comoara Pivnitei Tamaioasa Romaneasca 1996 dulce

Pale golden in colour with a honey syrup lime bouquet. A smooth viscous feel in the mouth with honey, pineapple a tinge of grass like a Riesling. With a strong vein of acid to cleanse the palate, this wine could have been aged for at least another ten years and still be a brilliant wine. This reminded me of a younger Moulin Touchais

Hopefully I will have the time to do some more wine blogging.

Château Tour du Haut-Moulin 2001

Some Claret for dinner, this time a Haut-Médoc made from 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot. Opened to lingering aromas of black berry, raspberry, strawberry, coffee, earth and cedar. On the palate it was well balanced with soft ripe tannins, nice minerals and a longish finish. Quite an old fashioned Claret in style, but very nice drinking.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Toscar Monastrell 2006

A red from Alicante, this Monastrell showed rustic aromas of plums, cherries, animal musk, ham, earth and a little spice. The palate was again rustic and generous, with lots of fruit, herbs, pepper and ripe tannins. Nice length and finish, this was enjoyable.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Livio Felluga Friulano DOC 2007

Out at dinner I ordered 1 bottle of this white wine made from Friulano (formerly Tocai), remembering a great white (Terre Alte) from Felluga I did have in Milan last year. Opened to soft aromas of citrus, flowers, almonds, peach, some tropicals and white pepper. On the palate it was very well balanced, with good weight, minerals and a slight salty dryness. Overall quite an elegant wine, which did impress.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100