Tatachilla Partners Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2004

From McLaren Vale SA, this red blend was a dark plum colour, with aromas of blackberry, ripe plum, spice and milder herbs and a whiff of chocolate. Initially on the palate it was a little ripe and volitile, with tannins, alcohol and acidity vying for attention, but did soften after some time to become resonably smooth and integrated, so decanting definitely recommended. Although quite generous, nothing really stands out. Medium to rich in body, with a decent dry finish, not bad value at $13.
50+4+11+16+7 = 88/100

Houghtons Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2004

Being quite partial to their cheap white classic blend, decided to give their cheap red a try. With grapes sourced from the Swan Valley, Frankland River, Mt Barker, Pemberton and Margaret River, had big aromas of ripe berries with oak. On the palate it was fairly well balanced, with fairly rich fruit and a dry tannic finish. A bit rough around the edges, but not too bad an effort for a $10 red. Certainly would please those who like a boofy red.
50+4+12+14+7 = 87/100

Yering Station ED Pinot Noir Rose 2006

I had read good things about this wine, so finally got round to getting a bottle. Mid deep copper pink, the bouquet did hold pinot noir characteristics, with strawberry, cherry, and a touch of mallow and mulch. On the palate it was extremely well balanced, with well rounded berry fruit. Soft and creamy mouthfeel, and a wonderfully dry finish. This reminded me somewhat of the Dominic Portet rose, but had more finesse, probably due to it being made from 100% pinot noir. Definitely, to date, my favourite Australian rose and one I will pursue for this summer.
50+4+14+17+7 = 92/100

Chateau La Pagaute 2002

My 2nd wine from Graves, albeit a red and an AOC, the first being a Cru Classe white. Dirty deep copper red, the bouquet held big woody notes, with little fruit, candied bananas and nougat. On the palate it was quite thin but balanced, with sharp acidity and a powdery grippy tannic mouthfeel. A bit of a Chien in a French index, and did become borderline volotile in an Australian ambient summer temperature. I put an ice cube to tame it somewhat, and it became more drinkable. A let down at $15.
50+4+11+14+6 = 85/100

Portone Soave DOC 2005

The new vintage of this simple but elegant Italian table wine. On the bouquet soft aromas of melon, apricot, vanilla and white pepper. On the palate it was superbly light, well balanced and soft with a wonderful slatey structure. Not much complexity or length, but ever so simple and refreshing to drink. A superlative, unpretentious, cheap ($7) Italian table wine which would offend nobody (except perhaps the odd older rube). One of my favourite cheap table whites.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Yering Station Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (Cleanskin)

A cleanskin from Yering Station? Well apparently so, and I was surprised a Cab Sav. On the bouquet it was very spicey, similar to a sangiovese, with pepper, cumin and nutmeg, which was quite interesting. But the interest finished there as the palate was confused. I couldn't tell if it was a sangiovese, a pinot, a merlot, a cab sav, a shiraz? Which one? There was weight there and some body, but the fruit was all over the place over rather ruff tannins and sprinkles of sulphur. To sum up, a Frankenstien of a wine, which may be commendable for creative experimentation, but deplorable as an exercise in commerce. Even at $8 a shocker.
50+4+12+07+4 = 77/100

Logan Orange Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Another wine to cool us, this SB was pale straw with tinges of green. On the bouquet was soft gooseberry, passionfruit, citrus and a little grassyness. On the palate it was quite fresh, soft and balanced with a little creaminess. Decent in length and a soft powdery finish made this quite a lovely SB. A little pricey at $17 but just worth it I think.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Peter Lehmann Rose 2005

Deb picked this 100% Grenache rose from the Barossa. Lovely bright fuschia in colour, the bouquet held bright berries with some rose petals, and candied musk. On the palate it was well balanced, with crisp crunchy acidity and a great savoury dry finish. This was very well made and suited the hot weather very well. Just wish it was a little cheaper.
50+5+12+16+7 = 90/100

Haselgrove Sovereign Shiraz 2004

Again $6.70 a bottle, this shiraz had a bouquet of concentrated plum fruit, a touch of white pepper and spice supported by subtle vanillin oak aromas. On the palate it was quite rich plum with some oak. While the body was ok, it did finish a little short, and seemed somewhat split. Not bad but not great, and could have been made a bit better.
50+4+12+14+6 = 86/100

Haselgrove Sovereign Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Obtaining this for $6.70, this SSB from fruit sourced in SA had a soft bouquet of tropical fruits, citrus and some sweet soft musk at the back. On the palate it was quite well balanced with perhaps a little runaway acidity, and had citrus and some tropical fruit. The body, weight and length were relatively light, but still it was quite pleasant drinking. A good light summer white which should not be bought for more than $10.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Dalfarras Cabernet Sangiovese 2004

Again $10, this red blend had aromas of blackcurrants, raspberry, spices, and some savoury notes. On the palate it was light to medium in body, with decent weight and length. The acidity was a little volitile and the finish a touch sharp. Not too bad but needs finer crafting.
50+4+11+15+7 = 87/100

Dalfarras Viognier Pinot Gris 2005

Nice and cheap at $10, this white from Victoria, made by the chief winemaker at Tahbilk, had a rather reserved but fine bouquet of pineapple, apricot, citruss, smoke and a touch of honey. On the palate it was a fine mix of dry and chewy viognier, and herbs, citrus and wet stone pinot gris. The acidity did run a little, but otherwise quite a nicely balanced blend, with decent length. A good initial effort, and hope they work on it further.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2005

Picked up 2 bottles of this red for free, as had seen good reviews on the 2004 vintage. On the bouquet was bright deep rich blackberry, plum, chocolate and spice. On the palate it was relatively robust, with good weight and balanced tannins. It did tail off somewhat on the finish, but otherwise not a bad blend. A bit of an old fashioned fruity, boofy Australian red, but likeable and good with a crowd, (and the sheilas).
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Murfatlar Balada Merlot

I had this wine the other day with some mousaka. A very light merlot with fine rasberries and rounded clean flavour. Unlike most merlot's this was without the distraction of the minty flavour I have had with Australian merlot. This was a fine wine very well crafted, not over bearing and very refreshing.

Trying the pinot noir next.

92/100

Cabernet D'Anjou Reserve Des Vignerons 2005

Supplied graciously by Greg for Phil's leaving dinner, a new vintage of our favourite rosé. Beautiful pale-pink, perhaps a little deeper than the last vintage, the bouquet was soft, delicate strawberry, hay, bread and biscuits. On the palate it was again superbly poised, probably with a little more red-fruit expressed than the 2004. Lovely body and finish. So elegant, so good.
50+5+13+17+8 = 93/100

Chapoutier St. Joseph Deschants 2000

For Phils leaving dinner, he brought along this French shiraz from St-Joseph, between Mauves and Tournon. Initially quite light and floral on the noise, with some violets, which gradually opened to dutch liqorice, mint, pear and spice. On the palate it was light to medium in body, well rounded and balanced, with red fruits and a touch of meat. Quite fleshy and decent length. Quite a lovely, soft feminine treatment of shiraz. Probably needs some decanting to fully open.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Yering Station Pinot Noir 2004

Having tried the previous vintage which was quite good, gave the new vintage a go. Again on the bouquet were black cherries, forest, mocha and some spice. On the palate it was soft and rounded, with a nice chewiness. Still a good value and well crafted pinot.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Lustau Solera Reserva Jerez Fino Sherry "Jarana"

A gift from my good friend Greg, this dry Sherry made from Palomino Fino from Spain, had a wonderful bouquet of sweet ripe red apples and roasted nuts, particulary almonds. On the palate it was very austere, with a super dry flinty lighter-fluid dryness, which did linger, with a raspy almond length and crispness. Drier than any fortified I have had to date. This is my kind of sherry. Would be superb in the depths of summer.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Reichsrat von Buhl Riesling 2005

With big recommendations from the boys at Annadale Cellars, I gave this a try tonight. Initially it started well, with a balanced bouquet of lemon, lime, pineapple, musk and minerals. On the palate it was dry, with very crisp and balanced acidity, nice weight and mouthfeel and a good finish. However on subsequent glasses, a sulphurous aroma was evident, which became disconcerting. Some have likened such an aroma to verbena, but I can't confirm such a smell. It did recover somewhat, which redeemed the wine, but not enough. Without the sulphur/verbena(?) aroma, this wine would have been a really good value German riesling for me.
50+4+12+16+5 = 87/100

Pirineos Merlot Cabernet Rosé 2004

50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, this Rosé from Somontano Spain had a lively bouquet of Strawberries, peach, watermelon, candied fruits and soft spice and a olive-oily balsam. On the palate it was quite crunchy and chewy, with fresh acidity. Nice balance, good length and soft dry finish made this an enjoyable Mediterranean Rosé. Quite delicious.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

The Ned Sauvigon Blanc 2005

With her Melbourne Cup winnings, Deb picked up a bottle of this SB from the Waihopai River, Malborough NZ for dinner. The bouquet held fresh gooseberry, grass and tropical fruits. On the palate it was crystal clean, almost riesling like, with crisp acidity and a powdery minerality. It held its balance as it warmed, and finished intense and dry, but soft. Again typical SB from Malborough, and crafted very well.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Hardys Oomoo Shiraz 2005

Reduced, Deb picked up a bottle of this shiraz, which we had heard decent things about. Deep red-black, the nose was quite dark and rich, with plum, black cherry, earth, mocha, spice and roasted coffee. On the palate it was quite rich, with dark broody fruit, earth and spice. It was fairly well balanced with tannins holding the rich fruit. Decent body and length, this was pretty good value at around $13, and could see it being a popular cheap red with the older baby-boomer generation, where big flavours count.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Jamiesons Run Chardonnay 2005

From the Limestone Coast area of South Australia, the nose was a little shy, but showed ripe pear and peach, melon, some spice and a touch of oak. On the palate it was quite soft and round, with a slippery mouthfeel, medium body and a soft dry finish. The fruit did border on being a little too sweet for my tastes, but was balanced enough to make quite a fine mid-weight and most likely popular chardonnay. Good value at $11.
50+4+11+16+7 = 88/100

Devil's Lair Chardonnay 2004

Needing a special Chardonnay for Deb's birthday, gave this Margaret River one a try, as I have seen it recieve good reviews. Relative light pale gold, the bouquet was amazing, including milk, oatmeal, smoke, cinnamon, pear, toffee and strangely salt-bush. The palate was superbly balanced, with lovely oak and fruit integration. Supple and rich mouthfeel without being syrupy or oily. Tight yet rounded in body, it finished with a long and savoury, almost salty dry finish. This was a fantastic wine, and probably my favourite Australian Chardonnay to date with the Toolangi Estate. Well worth $36.
50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

Logan Apple Tree Flat Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Needing a cheap white for cooking, Deb picked this up for around $10. On the bouquet citrus was dominant, mostly lemon, with a touch of grass. On the palate it was relatively light in body, but had decent length, and a crisp dry savoury finish. Overall not a bad cheap SSB.
50+4+11+15+6 = 86/100

Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2005

Having had the previous vintage, which was a bit of a slap in the face, decided to try the 2005. Bouquet wise it was quite ok, with apricot, musk, lemon and a little herbaceousness. On the palate it was quite chewy and robust, with a little volotility, not as much as the last but still there. Good to see it improving, but it does have to achieve more finesse, which I am sure Yalumba is capable of.
50+4+12+14+6 = 86/100