Hardys Siegersdorf Rhine Riesling 1997

Golden yellow in colour, this riesling from SA had aromas of green apple, citrus, pear and sweet nougat and a touch of smoke. On the palate it was soft and rounded, reminiscent of an aged semillon. It retained good acidity for its age, and held good length and finish. An old fashioned riesling, reminding me also of the 1965 vouvray we had recently.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon 1998

Quite different to the 2000 vintage, the nose was very reserved, with lemon dominating, followed by hints of vanillan, flowers and toasted oak. The palate was waxy, with robust acidity. Lean lanolin, lemon, lime were prominant with honeysuckle. Good length and longish finish. Old world in style this could do better with further cellaring. The 2000 vintage I found was more forthcoming and generous. Not as good value and definitely overpriced.
50+4+11+14+7 = 86/100

Temple Bruer Chenin Blanc 2004

One of the best Chenin Blancs I have had in this country, the bouquet shows green apple, flowers, musk and mineral. Nice balanced palate, with good minerality and a tight dry finish. Very well made, and easy drinking.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Toolangi Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2005

This chardonnay, which is the base product of the range of chardonnays from Toolangi, held a similar bouquet and flavours of the Estate chardonnay, but without the tight focused structure of the Estate. On the nose it showed pear, peach and spice, with a mild creaminess and occaisional nougat. Palate wise it was dry and a little flabby, and perhaps had a bit too much acidity. Lacked weight and finished a little short. Overall not too bad, but a bit of a let down from the Estate, which is miles away in quality.
50+4+11+14+6 = 85/100

Twofold Clare Valley Riesling 2004

From the Clare Valley SA, this riesling was pale green gold, with a bouquet of lime, talc, white pepper, slate and a glint of vegetable, maybe asparagus or cabbage? On the palate it held clean white fruits, with a nice minerality, powdery dry mouthfeel with a warming length and clean finish. This has individuality, attributable to perhaps the terroir, which is to be encouraged. A good mid priced riesling, maybe not the best around, but there is a lot of great cheap riesling in this country at the moment.
50+4+12+15+7= 88/100

Concha Y Toro Casillerro del Diablo Shiraz 2004

Having been impressed by Casillero del Diablo Sav Blanc, and Viognier, I decided to give one of their reds a try. On the nose initially quite pongy, with spice, plum, pepper and oak. It blew off somewhat after a good decanting, but became less interesting. Thin bodied, and not much length, there was nothing about this Chilean shiraz that could qualify it replacing an Australian shiraz, even a cheap one. Far less impressive and value than their whites, and an Australian shiraz for that matter.
50+4+10+10+5 = 80/100

Coldstream Hills Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2005

Dull ruby in colour, on the nose this pinot had raspberry, autumnal leaves, mallow and a touch of earth and truffles. Palate wise more raspberry, oak and a hint of sap. Light body, medium length and well balanced. A good crowd pleasing mid-priced pinot. A touch sweet for me.
50+4+13+14+7 = 88/100

Joseph Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2003

Deep ruby, the nose of this pinot was light, fresh cherries, a touch of strawberry, hint of earth and forest floor, but very faint. Palate wise semi-ripe cherry and oak. Structurally it was very light, almost as light as a rose, with short length and slight in finish. Well made, but not much depth. For the price you could do a lot better with an Australian pinot.
50+4+11+12+6 = 83/100

Moillard Domaine Des Reyssiers Beaujolais-Villages

Pale raspberry in colour with sour cherry, perhaps blackberry on the nose with a certain earthiness. Medium to light weight on the palate, with no great structure, could have done with some more fruit flavour but had a nice drying tannins.

Rating	17/20
Vintage	2004
Alchohol	12.5%

Salento Primitivo IGT Piana Del Sole 2003

Tried out another cheap ($10) Italian red, made from Primitivo (the same as Zinfandel supposedly). Deep black cherry in colour, the bouquet held soft sweet cherries, milk-chocolate, hints of mocha and a touch of smoke. Palate wise it was light, dry and savoury. A great little cheap red, with a fun bouquet and a suitable partner to pasta, pizza or Canellini bean soup in my case.
50+4+13+14+7= 88/100

Voyager Estate Shiraz 2004

A blind buy, this shiraz from the Margaret River WA was deep plum with hints of violet in colour. Initially an enticing nose with dark blackberries and soft spice. On the palate it was divided, with rich sweet fruit, medium tannis and robust acidity all working individually, but not coming together. There is a possibility that these elements will merge, but then again it may never happen. For now it is schizophrenic, fruity and flabby, and not that elegant.
50+4+12+12+5 = 83/100

Mount Langhi Ghiran Billi Billi Creek Shiraz 2003

From the Grampians Victoria, this shiraz was deep crimson, with aromas of raspberry, nougat, earth and truffles. Very smooth tannins held more raspberry, spice, earth and a touch of mocca and caramel. Velvety mouthfeel, rich, warm and lingering. Medium bodied, very similar to a pinot in structure. Beautifully balanced.

This is my kind of shiraz. A bargain at around $20. Wonderful.
50+4+12+17+8 = 91/100

Meeting Place Viognier 2005

I am a bit weary of cheap Australian Viognier but decided to give it a chance again. Yellow-green gold, the bouquet opened up to ripe apricots, musk and a touch of spice. It also held a bit of white fruit, which reminded me a bit of a riesling. Palate wise it had chewey apricot and peach on top of a subtle minerality. Good body with robust acidity which didn't become volotile or unpalatable. Good warming length on the throat. Overall this was good value ($10) , drinkable and enjoyable viognier. Try with fresh pate.
50+4+12+15+7= 88/100

Seppelt Victorian Range Shiraz 2004

Deep plum black colour, on the bouquet was plum and blackberry, with soft spiced oak and a touch of pepper and nougat. Palate wise it had good body, with semi sweet berries and plums balanced with mild tannis and a touch of spice. Good mouthfeel, and decent length. Overall well balanced but maybe too much so. A melange, with nothing really distinctive emerging.
50+4+12+14+6 = 86/100

Yalumba Y Series Unwooded Chardonnay 2005

With some time passed after trying the Y series Viognier some time ago which was a bit shocking, I decided to have a go at another in the Y series. And I do like the style of their bottle labeling.

Bright golden straw with green hues. The nose shows tropical aromas with grapefruit, musk and melon. On the palate rich melon and peach are accompanied by a mild creamy texture, with reasonably balanced acidity and a dry finish. Not too bad overall, could do with a bit more weight palate wise.
50+4+12+13+6= 85/100

Hétszőlő Tokaji Furmint 2003

This white wine made from Furmint, was from the Tokaj-Hegyalja region in Hungary. Pale wheat-gold in colour, it had a strong herbaceaous aroma, not dissimilar to dry vermouth, with hints of sharp green-apple and unripe pear as it warmed. On the palate it had strong crisp acidity, with white unripened fruit under dry herbs. The length and mouthfeel were similar to an austere riesling or moselle, and finished dry and warm. Overall this wine lacked a little finesse, however it was a good robust dry white, which would suite Hungarian spiced meat dishes and cheeses.
50+4+11+15+6= 86/100

La Vieille Ferme AOC Cotes Du Ventoux Rouge 2004

From the southern slopes of Mont Ventoux, this wine was deep cherry red, and had a spicey nose with subdued notes of cherry. Palate wise it was well rounded, mild tannins and rather low key fruit. Decent length and a dry finish. A mild savoury red with nothing that distinguishing about it. A little dull.
50+4+10+12+6 = 82/100

Toolangi Estate Chardonnay 2002

In the clearance bin at half price, this chardonnay from the Yarra Valley was pale straw in colour, with a tight, soft creamy oak bouquet with white pear and hints of cinnamon. On the palate it showed restrained vanillan oak, which was well integrated into soft white fruits, being pear and white peach. A delicate minerality was evident, lending it a Burgundy style. Very elegant drinking and a bargain as well.
50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

Last night, another bottle was dug up from the bin and chilled. What a wine. Beautiful pear, apple bouquet. On the palate an amazing creamy oaky intergration, silky smooth in the mouth to then give a chrisp refreshing zing on the back palate. One of the highlight wines, certainly a great chardonnay, up there with the Faultline for just elegence and well structured.

19.2 / 20

Phil.

Sorrenberg Gamay 2004

I've wanted to try some Australian Gamay since reading the book Clochemerle set in Beaujolais and drinking the Louis Jardot and Georges Duboeuf.

So having searched one of the few producers of Gamay in Australia was Sorrenberg. Mixed with 10% pinot noir, the colour was light with perhaps a slight grainy texture. The bouquet had only small amounts of fruit with a slight pinot earthiness.

However on the palate the tannic grip was significant without any of the complexity of either a pinot, nor the fruityness and smoothness of the traditional Beaujolais style. For the cost of this wine I'm very disappointed in it, seemed a wine pulled in too many directions. I pleased to see the appearance of this grape and hope that it will find better expression in Australia

15.5 / 20.
Very poor value for money

Château du Cèdre "Le Prestige" 2002

I had been curious about this wine from Cahors, in the SW of France, so gave it a go. A blend of Malbec and Tannat, colourwise it was deep purple-black. On the nose black berries and plum, with soft spicy oak and pepper. Palate wise soft creamy blackberry and plum, completely integrated by wonderful silky tannins. Robust yet delicate in the mouth with very nice length and grippy finish. Towards the end it darkened, with rich licorice and vanilla. Great structure to this wine, and could cellar another 10 years. It did remind me of a Shiraz Malbec by Temple Bruer, which was a great wine, although a little less complex than this. Overall wonderful, confirming how much I like Malbec.
50+5+13+17+8 = 93/100

Michel Laroche Viognier 2002

A Vin de Pays D'Oc from Beziers, Languedoc, this Viognier had a lovely bouquet of soft pineapple, peach, softened spiced apricot and wet stone. On the palate it was tight and minerally, with tropical fruits, and a supple grippy finish. It reminded me of the finesse of a Condrieu, without the complexity. Overall this is a great cheap Viognier. If only we could craft cheap Viogniers like this in Australia.
50+4+14+14+8= 90/100

Ravensworth Sangiovese 2005

From Murrumbateman, NSW, this was mid to dark crimson colour, on the nose rich cherry, cumin spices, violet, charcoal and brazil nut. On the palate rich savoury cherry again, a little sweet, yet held back by robust tannins with good grip. Good length and dry finish. Overall a decent savoury wine which could do with a little less fruit, but a good eating wine.
50+4+13+12+7 = 87/100

Pepperton Estate Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2003

Pale gold in colour, the bouquet showed melon, peach and vanillian, with occasional hints of cashew and white pepper. On the palate it was relatively lean and tight with big oak grip, which was reasonably integrated. Probably a little too much oak which overpowered the fruit. Could do with some ageing which may alleviate the oak. Overall not bad, good for pork or chicken I would say.
50+4+12+12+7 = 85/100

Christopher Scott Cabernet Shiraz 2004

A blind buy, this cab shiraz from WA had a wonderful deep purple-black colour. Opened to a lively nose, big on morello cherries, plums and soft hints of (American) oak. On the palate the fruit continued, but with a shocking abundance. A small amount of tannins resided there, but not enough to reign in the big, sweet, sticky almost sickly palate. If you are a fan of big sweet reds, (or a child) then I recommend this, but if neither then steer clear of this naive wine.

50+5+11+9+5= 80/100

Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2001

Old World in style, the bouquet posessed big lemon citrus and lanolin, followed by soft toasted oak, grass and herbal aromas. On the palate relatively creamy yet quite dry, with white fruit and robust acidity. Good length and finish. Already 5 years old, it could develop greater complexity for another 5. Drinking it now it would suit some battered dory or flathead, with chips of course.
50+4+13+14+7 = 88/100

4th Wine Tasting Results - Pinot Noir

Well another woine toime tasting complete. Participants were:

Philip
Deborah
Brett
Simon
Heike
Lucas
Marie-Louise

And the wines in order, with initial votes:



1. Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley 2005
Light Ruby red colour, on first tasting seemed fruity and thin, but on subsequent tasting the bouquet held gamey meat, mushrooms and black pepper. On the palate cherry, cherry stones, medium to mild tannin and a hint of mocha. 0 votes.

2. Kooyong Massale Mornington Penisula 2005
Again ruby colour, with pepper, chocolate, tabacco and cherry on the bouquet. Palate wise cherries, minerally and soft tannin. Structurally sound and would develop with age. 1 vote.

3. Cassegrain Limited Release Tumbarumba 2005
Medium ruby colour, with cherry, strawberry and mint on the bouquet. Soft tannins and well balanced with good length. Very nice out of the bottle. 2 votes.

4. Scotchmans Hill Geelong 2004
Dark red colour, with a promising earthy and mint bouquet. However volatile tannins on palate, and sharp acidity. 0 votes.

5. Paringa Estate PE Early Release Mornington Penisula 2005
Dark ruby, with cherry stone, rasberry and earth bouquet. Strong tannins on palate, good structure. Would benifit with ageing. 1 vote.

6. Killara Park Estate Yarra Valley 2003
Medium ruby colour. On the bouquet big meat and game with hints of blue cheese. Medium tannins with a touch of mocha. Good length. 0 votes.

7. Yering Station Reserve 2003
Dark red colour. Bouquet of chocolate, black pepper and earth. Palate wise held velvety tannins, soft chocolate and cherry. Very well structured. Good length. 3 votes.

My thanks to everybody for coming, and hope you are all feeling better today.

Domaine du Château d'eau Pinot Noir 2001

A Vin du Pays from Moillard, this Pinot had a dirty cherry brick colour. On the bouquet strawberry, raspberry, cedar and soft earth, with a glint of mocha at the back. Palate wise dry cherry and plums, very thin and relatively short on length, similar to a Beaujolais. Overall light and elegant.
50+4+12+14+7 = 87/100