Tahbilk Marsanne 2006

For dinner a bottle of the new vintage of this wine. The bouquet was relatively austere, with citruss, green apple, peach and some honey-suckle. The palate too was a bit light, but balanced and nicely rounded. The flavours and mouthfeel were not nearly as intense of the 2005, which was a little dissapointing. Perhaps a little underdeveloped, but I am not sure if it will aquire the intensity of the previous vintage under cellaring - I don't think the structure is there. Overall still a nicely made wine, but if you can go for the 2005.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Pizzazz Sparkling Rose NV

Seeing this wine for $5.99, we decided to give it a go, not expecting too much. Made by Saxonvale Winery in SA, it was pale light fuscia in colour, with a light bouquet of berries, bread, white pepper and cream. The palate was quite thin, but relatively balanced, with good persistant beading and quite a soft dry mouthfeel. Not a lot of complexity here, however this wine was quite drinkable, and would be popular with those who enjoy a break from sweeter styles. A good cheap and attractive sparkling to get out for undemanding and fun drinking.
50+4+11+14+7 = 86/100

Shaw & Smith M3 Vineyard Chardonnay 2005

Another chardonnay from the christmas case, this wine from the Adelaide Hills showed fairly restrained aromas of nectarine, peach, cashews and a little cinnamon. On the palate it was very clean, with citruss and stone fruit tightly integrated into the oak, which was nominal. Focused medium body and dry finish, the length was lacking a little to my mind. Overall a very well balanced wine in the new style, however lacked a little character, and for $40 I can find more interesting Chardonnays.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Domaine Du Gros' Noré Rosé 2005

For Christmas dinner, we started with a white Bordeaux, then to this rosé from la Cadière d'Azur, Bandol, made from 40% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 40% Cinsault. Delicate pale copper in colour, the bouqet was superb, with vibrant berries, flowers, bark, earth and herbs with some sort of menthol hint. On the palate it was superbly balanced, with juicy berries, earth and herbs. The finish was dusty dry, with a long lingering warm finish. Although the wine was 15% alcohol, it was not noticeable, probably only in its length. This was a rosé of superb craft and poise, and has piqued my interest in provençal rosé. I think it may be my new favourite, perhaps championing the Anjou. Not cheap at $40, but absolutely worth it.
50+5+14+17+8 = 94/100

Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir 2003

For Christmas lunch, to go with our roast duck, we drank this NZ pinot from Central Otago. On the bouquet, very pinot, with cherries, strawberries, sap, twigs, leaves, dusty earth and black pepper. On the palate quite racy acidity, but balanced, with sour cherries, sarspirilla, tea and spice. Good length and dry tannic finish. This is pinot, and while it lacked a little softness, it was a lovely pinot of true pinot character. Perhaps a little overpriced at $55, but still worth it.
50+4+14+17+8 = 93/100

Pol Roger NV

Well Merry Christmas! Started off with a bottle of this with some pate, goats cheese and strawberries. Pale gold, the bouquet was citrus dominant, with nectarine, custard apple and a touch of bread. On the palate crisp but superbly balanced acidity, with a creminess and a dry light finish. Lawrence Durrel described Pol as paper thin in "Justine", and he may be right, but this is still a lovely light citrussy Champagne, which refreshes the palate very nicely.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Yering Station ED Pinot Noir Rose 2005

Christmas eve, and we opened this wine, of which I have tried the 2006 vintage previously. Lovely pinot bouquet of berries, mulch, spice and cream. On the palate was a superb balance between crisp fruit and soft cream, finishing dry and long, with a little spice. A little more intensity than the 2006, and perhaps depth as well. Went quite well with our cold roast pork and Normandy salad. Again, superb rose, and the best Australian one I have had to date.
50+4+14+17+8 = 93/100

Yering Station M.V.R 2005

To kick off the holidays, we opened this wine to go with our mini roast pork. Made from 54% Marsanne, 36% Viognier and 10% Roussanne, it had fairly intense bouquet of apples, apricot, lychee and wet stones. On the palate it was again quite intense, with robust acidity and a chewy mouthfeel over a fine minerality. Alcohol heat and acidity did threaten to drive it to volitility, but it did hold itself from doing so. Very long length, and overall balanced and intense. Only lacking to my mind the refinement of a CDR, which I am guessing it is trying to emulate.
50+4+13+16+6 = 89/100

Te Mata Estate Woodthorpe Chardonnay 2005

Having gone dry since last Saturday, needed a nice white to relax and prepare the liver for Christmas. This Chardonnay from Hawkes Bay NZ, had aromas of nectarine, fig, hazelnuts, spice and cream. On the palate it was crisp and clean, with tight minerality and balance. Good length and a bone dry savoury finish lent this wine intensity yet finesse. This is a great effort for a mid-priced NZ chardonnay ($25) and would shame a lot of Australian chardonnays in the same or higher bracket. Apparently the previous vintage was served at the Queen's recent 80th birthday lunch, which would have pleased the makers no end.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Vin Prix thanks

Well about 10 wines I think done, a great acheivement no doubt for the 7th and last woine toime for 2006, having done Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Rose tastings previously. My thanks to participants, Simon, Heike, Lucas, Marie-Louise, Deborah and me. Special thanks to Simon and Heike for hosting, and special extra thanks to Heike for such an incredible culinary spread, without doubt making it the best woine toimes to date. Wow. Look forward to the next woine toime in the new year. Merry Xmas and happy new year guys!

Chateau Laulerie Montravel Vin Blanc 2004

A wine I forgot to mention, which provided good relief from the Semillon which didn't quite deliver. This 50-50 Sav Blanc Semillon blend from the Bergerac region, of which I have had previously, had a lovely floral bouquet of gooseberries, peach and some tropical fruits notes. The palate is soft and generous, well balanced with good acidity and a soft dry finish. A very nice summer white which would please just about anybody.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Miranda Golden Botrytis 2002

The last wine of a wonderful evening, this botrytis semillon from the Riverina had a bouquet which was rich and complex with aromas of marmalade, apricot, raisin and musk. The palate was thick, sticky and rich, well balanced and long. Made for a great digestive, and went well with Marie's lovely pavlova. A nice end to a great evening.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora 2005

And on to dessert. Aromas of grapefruit, orange, honey and a little spice. On the palate quite well balanced with more orange and musk. Good length, body and finish. Not too cloying and quite fresh for a sticky. Popular with the girls.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

d’Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz 2004

Another red for dinner, this shiraz from Mclaren Vale had big aromas of berries, pepper and spice. The palate was juicy, medium round body, balanced sweet and dry. Good length and finish, a great allround shiraz, with typical Australian assertiveness. Well priced too.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Marques De La Concordia Signa Rioja 2003

Running out of wine for the tasting/party, ran down with the boys to the local and picked up the first (and only) Rioja I could see. Classic bouquet of berries, dutch licorice and spice. On the palate it was fairly light to medium bodied, with great balance and focus. Good length and soft dry finish, this wine was a small hit with our lovely bbq meats, provided so graciously by Heike. I like Rioja, and I think my friends do too.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Maison Louis Latour Domaine De Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2004

And the xmas Vin Prix woine toime continues relentlessly. This Pinot Noir, a Vin de Pays des Coteaux du Verdon, had quite a soft bouquet of cherries, strawberries, mulch and a hint of truffles. On the palate quite light, but well balanced. Not a big pinot, but still quite refined and enjoyable. Light the leitmotif here, and very feminine in a way.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Moet Chandon Brut Rose N.V.

Generously produced by Simon as an interlude between entree and mains, this Champagne held lovely floral aromas of strawberry, biscuit, honey and some nuts lurking. On the palate well balanced, with long beading, great structure and lovely soft dry finish. A straight down the line pink Champagne which is always welcome in my glass. Oh yummy.
50+4+14+17+7 = 92/100

Monte Antico Toscano IGT 2003

Another wine for xmas drinks, this red made form sangiovese had a lovely aroma of cherry, spice, sage, mint and some spice. On the palate a light savouryness, with confident acidity and balance. Good length and finish made this a lovely, superlative Italian red table wine, working very well with food. Quite a surprise, and very good value for around $25. Yum.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Salomon Undhof Pfaffenberg Riesling 2001

Having tried one of their rieslings a while back at a tasting in Annandale, brought this to the xmas wine tasting. Golden green in colour, the bouquet consisted of soft citrus, honey and some smoke. The palate was soft and rounded, with a nice acidity, minerality and creaminess, due to perhaps some maleolatic fermentation. This wine seemed older than its years, very old fashioned in a way, but nevertheless lovely drinking.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Tyrrell's Reserve Belford Semillon 1998

Another gift from my parents, took this to xmas drinks at Simon and Hiekes, with hopes it doing better than the 1999 vintage I had some months ago. Initially again, seemed locked up somewhat, with aromas of lime, lemon, (burnt) toast and lanolin. On the palate it was quite old fashioned and rounded, with tight citruss sourness and minerality. Again I was disapointed with this semillon, and think that no amount of ageing could improve it. Simply overrated.
50+4+11+14+6 = 85/100

Domaine Chandon Vintage Brut 2002

To kick start the Xmas woine toime, we had I think the 2002 vintage, unless it was 2003. Attractive soft nose on this sparkling wine, with notes of citruss, bread and nice candied peel notes at the back. Fine and persistant beading, the palate was quite well balanced, with a crisp dry finish and decent length. A good value and finely made sparkling from makers of obvious expertise.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Peter Lehmann Clancy's Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2003

A gift from my parents, this red blend from the Barossa had initially a big boofy bouquet, with aromas of plums, berries, spice and a touch of mint and chocolate. On the palate it was initially a little volitile, but did settle down to be relatively soft and well balanced. A little thin in body, it did finish reasonably well and had decent length. As a blend it could have been better crafted, perhaps with less or no Merlot, but overall a popular easy drinking red, which does need decanting.
50+4+12+14+6 = 86/100

Domaine des Hauts de Montgenas 1999

Under the AOC Fleurie, and made by Moillard-Grivot, this Cru du Beaujolais from Fleurie seemed by its appearance stewed. Cloudy crimson in colour, the bouquet held strawberry, cherry, earth and honey. The palate was soft cherries, honey and soft tannins. It was well balanced, with a medium to light body and nice soft finish. Perhaps a bit old or rustic for a Beaujolais, but still a delightful and elegant wine.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Brookland Valley Verse 1 Chardonnay 2005

From the Margaret River, this chardonnay had a lovely bouquet of white peach, nectarine, oak and cream. On the palate it was quite tight, with oak a little dominant over the fruit. Not a lot of depth on the palate, and finished a little short, it was still quite interesting, with some saltbush character which reminded me of the Devil's Lair chardonnay sans the depth. May develop with some cellaring, and ok value at $16.
50+4+13+14+7 = 88/100

Primo Estate La Biondina Colombard 2006

The latest vintage of this white blend, the bouquet again was tropical fruit, with passionfruit, melon and citrus. Again quite crisp acidity which was well balanced with a tight minerality. Not as intense or long as the previous vintage, but still a very well made wine. Again a great summer wine.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Howling Wolves Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2006

This white from the Margaret River blended from 55% Semillon and 45% Sauvignon Blanc, had a good aroma of citruss, gooseberries and grass. On the palate it was fairly well balanced, with fresh acidity and a decent finish. Initially the acid was a little high, but the wine did settle a little, finishing soft and well balanced. Not a bad wine, but a little overpriced, which I suspect has more to do with wanky marketing rather than value.
50+4+11+15+7 = 87/100

Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling 2006

Again a similar story to the Clare Valley. Aromas of Lime juice, green apple, white fruit, mineral and smoke. On the palate quite an oily mouthfeel, with racy acidity and some petroleum characteristics. Again not as much length and intensity as the 2005. But superb dry steely finish. Again may be a bit young, but still very well crafted. I think overall 2005 was a better vintage.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Leo Buring Clare Valley Riesling 2006

The new vintage of this riesling, the bouquet was quite reserved, with lemon, lime, peach, and soft musky sherbert. On the palate it was again reserved, with citrus fruits and a powdery dry mouthfeel. Well balanced, the length and finish was much shorter than the 2005. This was essentially the same wine as the 2005, but much less expressive and intense. Still a lovely crafted riesling, and may give a little more after some cellaring.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100