Le Rosé du Prince de Danemark (NV)

This Rosé made from Auxerrois (Malbec) with the classification of a Vin de pays du Lot, had a very elegant and soft bouquet of strawberry, herbs and touches of mint. On the palate it was quite fresh and juicy, nicely balanced and finished quite dry. Supple and soft in a way which reminds me of an Anjou but doesn't have an Anjou finish. Thus so far my favourite Rosé bar an Anjou, and has a refinement and diplomacy which Henrik would approve of. An elegant aperatif.
50+4+13+17+7= 91/100

Historically, this wine is made by Jean-Baptiste de Monpezat, the brother of Count André de Monpezat who became Prince Henrik of Denmark by marriage. Jean-Baptiste de Monpezat is one of the handful of wine growers who contributed to the transition of Cahors wine to Appellation Contrôlée status in 1971. Henrik is also owner of Château de Caïx in Cahors, which I believe make a Rosé as well.

I wonder if "our Mary" enjoys a glass after a hard days riding.

Dunsborough Hills Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2005

This SBS blend from Witchcliffe WA had a very pale straw colour. The bouquet posessed initial aromas of passionfruit flowers and gooseberry with grassy characters. The palate continues to deliver the strong varietal character, with grassy, herbaceous and relatively rich gooseberry flavours. Relatively light in structure, with a clean dry finish. Decent length. A well crafted white, maybe with the SB a little too dominant. Perhaps a little overpriced for what I paid ($20), but can be had for around $15 which is good value.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

De Bortoli Sacred Hill Semillon Chardonnay 2005

This $5 blend was quite tropical and fruity on the bouquet, with melon, pinapple, peach, lemon and a touch of spice. On the palate it held together with a crisp acidity and a little creaminess. A little sweet and grabbing on the finish, and fairly short but this is not so bad for such a cheap wine, and would do well served fairly chilled at a greasy picnic or bbq.
50+4+12+13+6 = 85/100

Sieur de Camandieu Syrah 2004

Friday night and this was drunk with the standard roast chicken and vegetables. It was medium bodied with some ripe raspberry bouquet. Not a very complex flavour but with an earthyness on the palate. Decent grip on the back palate.

84/100

Salomon Undhof Gruner Veltliner 2002

This was a friday night pre-dinner drink with some cheddar and camembert cheese. Pale golden in colour with a subtle stone fruit bouquet. On the palate was more sotone fruit and spicyness and some oily viscousness.

Overall very drinkable.

89/100

Clos Petite Bellane Cotes-du-rhone blanc 2005

A blend of 50% Roussane and 50% Viognier, this wine from Valréas had a demure bouquet of peach, pinapple, dried apricots, wet stone and spice. On the palate it was quite chewy and robust, bordering sometimes on becoming volitile, perhaps due to the 13.5% alcohol. Apricots and honey were dominant, and the wine finished very dry, almost with a bitter almond quality, lending it a Spanish feel. Overall not a bad wine, but could have been finer on the palate. A little overpriced at $18.
50+4+12+14+7 = 87/100

http://www.clos-petite-bellane.com/

Borie De Maurel Esprit d'Automne Minervois 2005

This red from Minervois, is a blend of Carignan and Syrah, and is the entry level red for Borie De Maurel. On the bouquet initially was a deep puree of berries and spices, which opened gradually to reveal pepper, vanilla, caramel and cumin. Palate wise it was silky soft, all the way through, with a lovely soft silky-powdery mouth- feel. Towards the end it changed and became dark and broody, with smoke and spices, and very dry and savoury. This wine was superb for an entry level wine, with a great balance between complexity and simplicity. It was a pleasure to drink, and a great bargain at around $15. For me this has to be the red of the year so far, and cannot wait to try more wines from this producer.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Producer profile (Winedoctor)

Chateau Tour de Mirambeau Bordeaux Blanc 2005

This Sauvignon Blanc sourced from vineyards in the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, held a soft but generous bouquet of pineapple, mint, grapefruit with hints of grass and a smidgeon of passionfruit. On the palate it was quite supple, with fruit and grass, tight oak and a very dry finish. Lacked a little dimension, but overall a nice treatment of SB, making a nice summer white.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Sieur De Camandieu Viognier 2004

This very cheap viognier (around $10) from Languedoc had a bright bouquet of peach and apricot, with a touch of pinapple and some spice. On the palate it was fun and fruity, yet fairly well balanced. As the wine warmed it turned soft and powdery, with musk and cinnamon. Sure it lacked complexity of a Condrieu, but definitely worth drinking at it's price.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva NV

This Cava from Spain, made from Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo grapes, had aromas of citrus, green apple with touches of nuts and bread and flowers. Palate wise it was very dry, yet soft with quite fine beading. More citrus and apple with decent length made for quite pleasant drinking. A great sparkling wine, and quite cheap as well.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Chateau Tour de Mirambeau Bordeaux Rose 2005

This rose made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, had a soft fragrance of raspberry, strawberry and a hint of mint in the background. On the palate it was big and juicy, with good balance and length, finishing quite dry. Quite an elegant and robust rose, and would match well with summer salads and grilled meats.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Clos Petite Bellane Cotes-du-rhone Rose 2005

Lovely soft pink in colour, this rose had a bouquet mostly of berries and currants, with not much else. On the palate it was very juicy, finishing quite dry. Beyond this there wasnt really much else happening and was a little dull. A light rose, suitable for light luncheon dishes.
50+5+11+13+6 = 85/100

Villa Wolf Riesling 2005

From Pfalz Germany, this riesling had a lovely bouquet of green apple, peach, stones, honey and a touch of nuts at the back. On the palate it was quite sweet, with a Mosel feel, but quite smooth, showing a nice minerality and soft acidity. Big fruity apple and peach dominate. It was a little sweet for me, however would pair well with fondue, sausages, apples and cheese. Quite enjoyable but as a dessert wine moreso.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

Chemin des Papes Côtes du Rhône 2004

A cheap as chips GSM (usually sold in cask form), which had a bouquet of soft cherries, which slowly opened up revealing some spice and oak. Very soft on the palate, with more cherries, pepper and spices. Very nice and easy drinking, and quite a bargain at $8.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Michel Laroche Chardonnay 2003

Reasonably cheap, this wine is a Vin de Pays d'Oc with a pale gold colour, and had a very soft bouquet of melon, sweet apple and some nuts. On the palate it was a little sweet, with a round minerality and a decent dry finish. Nice drinking, but perhaps a little sweet. I think their Viognier is a better wine.
50+4+12+14+6 = 86/100

Logan Weemala Gewurztraminer 2005

Another quick buy from my local, this Gewurztraminer had a lovely bouquet of sweet apples, spice leading into lychee, rose petals and musk. On the palate it was well balanced, with more apple and spice with a tight dry finish. A very good example of the style, and compares well in quality with Alsatian Gewurztraminers. Very well made.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

Seppelt Fleur de Lys NV

Craving a cheap sparkling aperitif, grabbed this for around $10. Pale straw in colour, the bouquet was fairly sweet, with candied fruit, nuts and yeast. Palatewise it was quite dry, with decent beading and passable length. Nominal mousse and a little over acidic, but otherwise this was a pretty good cheap sparkler. Went surprisingly well with strawberries, ricotta and crispbread. Nice bottle labling too.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Domaine du Château d'eau Syrah et Cinsault 2003

An unusual find in my local bottle shop, this rose from Moillard made by the same producer as a Pinot I had a few months ago, was rusty-ruby in colour. On the bouquet initially was strawberries, with cherries and soft spice. On the palate it reminded me a little of a Cabernet d'Anjou, but not as refined. It was quite soft, with cherries dominating, and more strawberries with a touch of hay and spice. Quite pleasant drinking.
50+4+12+14+7 = 87/100

Port Phillip Estate Chardonnay 2004

This wine from the Mornington Peninsula, was pale straw-gold, and had a very soft bouquet of melon, pear, candle wax, cream and smoke. On the palate it was fruit driven with pear dominating, and melon, with a flinty and stoney background. The oak was very soft and a touch vague. It finished dry with a decent length. Quite a refined Chardonnay, but I think could be a little cheaper in price or better in quality.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

Metala Cabernet Shiraz 2004

I have been drinking this wine fairly regulary for some time now, and have been impressed with it's bouquet, soft style and price. However trying the new 2004 vintage the wine has degraded somewhat in quality. Initially the bouquet of violets, nougat and spice is evident, but disspates quickly to a strong berry-fruit puree. The palate does the same, and becomes quite sharp and a little volitile. Definitely not of the same quality of the 2003 vintage. Pity, will have to wait for the next vintage I guess.
50+4+11+11+4 = 80/100