Lillydale Vineyards Yarra Chardonnay 2005

Another new wine for Vintage, this chardonnay from the Yarra Valley sported a prodigious label of 5 gold medals and 4 trophys, so had to see what was going on here. The bouquet was definitely contemporary in style, with grapefruit, citrus, ginger and a fecund flintiness. The palate followed suit with lovely dry grapefruit fruit, minerals and a touch of cashew. Oak was nominal, but present, with a deft but balanced acidity and dry integrated finish. Very contemporary in style, and very well made, this is a great drinking and very good value chardonnay at $18.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Les Nuages Loire Sauvignon Blanc 2005

I was quite excited to see a new French wine, AOC Touraine, Loire, for $12 at Vintage, so had to give it a go. Opened to a quite rich and floral bouquet of blackberry buds and leaf, raspberry, lemon and smoke. On the palate it was fairly light, with light fruit, minerals and quite a dry bitter finish. It held balance, but something was amiss with this SB. The bouquet developed a sweet sickliness about it, and didn't quite gel with the palate. A residual sugar was perceptable and overall this was a bit disconcerting. As much as I would loved it to be my cheap French white aperitif discovery for 2007, well, it simply didn't deliver.
50+4+11+14+6 = 85/100

Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2006

Made by Stella Bella, this wine from the Margaret River had quite sweet aromas citrus, passionfruit, gooseberries and some savoury herbaciousness at the back. On the palate was quite racey acidity, which was well balanced, nice almost creamy fruits and a good dry finish. I was initially suspect about this wine, with its glib labelling and name, but really quite a well made attractive blend.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Bottle Tree Semillon Chardonnay 2005

This white blend produced by John R McLaughlin, Warren NSW seemed to be destined for the UK market, with its eye-catching label and importer note on the back. On the boquet it was very sweet and tropical, with lychees, pineapple, citrus and honey. Again on the palate it was quite sweet, with more tropical fruit and fairly big on acid, and did need extra chilling to mask it. I can see this being reasonably popular with undemanding white drinkers, or those with sweet tastes, but for me just a pure exercise in marketing.
50+4+12+13+6 = 85/100

Yalumba Y Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

My first (I think) red from the Y series range fromYalumba, this Cab Sav had a fairly sharp but promising bouquet of blackberries, plum, mocha, mint and mild spices. On the palate acidity was a little volotile, which was distracting, as underneath the wine seemed to be quite confident and well made. With reasonable tannins and dry finish, the acidity did discredit this wine. Not such a loss at $11 though.
50+4+12+14+6 = 86/100

Bridgewater Mill Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2004

This chardonnay, made by Petaluma with fruit from the Piccadilly Valley had robust aromas of melon, fig, citruss, spice and cream. On the palate it had good character, with a nice fruit and oak balance, soft creamy malelolactic characteristics and a decent dry, almost salty long finish. Overall a confident and well structured mid-priced chardonnay, spot on for $25.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Grant Burge Barossa Vines Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2006

A mid-priced $15 white Deb picked up, the boquet was very tropical, with lychees, pineapple, passionfruit, gooseberry and lemon aromas. Again on the palate quite tropical fruits, with balanced acidity and a soft slightly creamy mouthfeel. The body was fairly light, as was the length, and overall a fairly sweet wine. Definitely made for the sweet Australian palate, thus ensuring a degree of popularity. For my tastes, there are better and more interesting blends around for the same or a lower price. Nice label though.
50+4+12+14+7 = 87/100

Miceli Iolanda Pinot Grigio 2005

This wine from the Mornington Peninsula, had sweet aromas of pear, honeysuckle, herbs and a touch of cream. On the palate it was fresh sweet fruits, with decent balance, grainy acidity and a relatively soft finish. Quite drinkable, although a little sweet and lacking complexity, this would make a fairly popular white. Easy drinking.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Château Villerambert-Julien L'Opèra 2004

I am getting quite fond of wines produced under the Appellation Minervois, so picked up this relatively cheap ($20) blend for dinner. Made from 40% Syrah, 35% Carignan, 20% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, and apparently grown on soils with marble used to construct the Trianon Opera House in Paris, hence its name, the bouquet initially was quite strong with alcohol and fruit, but did settle down to cherry, plum, strawberry, sage, cumin and hints of vanilla on the very last glass. On the palate again initially quite strong, with rich fruit and chewey tannins, but again it settled slowly to a soft elegant balance of fruit and oak, velvety tannins and a lovely dry spicy finish. Decanting certainly recommended, unless you prefer a rather rustic introduction.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

De Bortoli Gulf Station Chardonnay 2005

From the Yarra Valley Vic, this mid-priced chardonnay had relatively soft aromas of melon, spice and a little cream. On the palate it was well balanced, mid to light bodied with clean acidity, but didn't really do that much. Seemed to lack presence, and didn't really have anything distinctive about it. I sort of think the cheaper Windy Peak has more character and flavour. Well made certainly, but just a bit boring.
50+4+12+14+7 = 87/100

Yalumba The Virgilius Eden Valley Viognier 2004

At last had a chance to try this wine, which has been much lauded over the past years as Australia's top example of viognier. The bouquet was quite big and powerful on opening, but settled down to an elegant array of apricot, peach, lemon verbena, nougat, honey, musk and flashes of grilled nuts. On the palate initially again quite intense, but settled to show chewey fruit over a fine controlled acidity and subtle nutty oak. Finished quite long and dry, with a slight grippy but fading bitterness on the back of the palate. This was a beautifully made wine, showing a great balance between an upper Rhone style and a punchy Australian style. Indeed the finest Viognier I have had from this country. Good value at $40.
50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

Fox Gordon "The Abby" Viognier 2006

From the Barossa Valley, this relatively cheap ($20) limited release Viognier had aromas of quince, apricot, pears and honey suckle. On the palate it was quite well bodied, with rich round fruit, chewey acidity, and a fairly grippy finish. The 14% alcohol was a little evident, yet the wine held itself from tipping into volitility. A pretty good effort for I think their first viognier.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

Brokenwood Cricket Pitch Savignon Blanc Semillon 2005

I vaguely remember trying this wine at the office xmas lunch a month ago, and was fairly impressed. A 50/50 SSB with fruit from NSW and SA, the nose was quite fine with citrus, gooseberry, herbs and a flash of oaky nuttiness. On the palate it was fairly intense fruit, with fine and balanced acidity, a little creaminess and a touch of oak. A good rich mouthfeel made this a very well crafted blend. A quality white blend, which works well with food and would be quite popular.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

De Bortoli Windy Peak Chardonnay 2005

Another low cost chardonnay made from fruit originating in the Murray Valley, King Valley, Yarra Valley and the Bellarine Peninsula had rather sweet fruity aromas of figs, melon, fuzzy peach and some cream. On the palate it had a nice rounded mouthfeel, with melon, fig and a touch of oak. Finished quite dry snipping the fruitiness. A bit of residual sugar, overall it wasn't too bad of a wine. Did quite well with our pork chops. Worth $10 but don't pay much more for it.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Casa de la Viña Tempranillo 2005

With my taste for Rioja growing, gave this Spanish Tempranillo a try. On the nose were bright berry fruits, licorice and some herbs. The palate was quite chewey, with soft tannins and a decent dry finish. Light to medium in body, it lent itself well to food, matching our chorizo pizza quite well. While it lacks the complexity and depth of a Rioja, it was overall quite a nice and cheap Spanish table wine.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Penfolds Rawson's Retreat Chardonnay 2006

I think I have had the 2005 vintage of this wine some months ago, and from memory it wasn't too bad of a wine, so decided to give the new vintage a try. On the bouquet were quite sweet aromas of nectarine, peach, musk and a hint of oak. On the palate it had quite a nice, almost oily mouthfeel, but again the fruit and finish were quite sweet. I guess this would be quite a popular easy-drinking style, but for me, while cheap at around $10, it is just too sweet. Not dissimilar to Jamiesons Run Chardonnay.
50+4+11+15+7 = 87/100

Pillar Box Red 2005

With the last and current vintages of this wine being lauded by Rober Parker in the USA, decided to give it a try. Made by Henry's Drive Vignerons in Padthaway, from a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the bouquet was quite full with pureed berries, plum, chocolate and pepper. On the palate it was very fruity and rich, with a medium to full body. The acid was balanced, as were the tannins which were quite soft and in check, giving a good dry finish. The 15% alcohol was a little evident, but not enough to compromise the wine. I quite liked this red, even if it did lack a little complexity, and it did go well with our big aged-beef steaks. As an export wine it will do/has done very well, particulary in the USA. Very good value at $11.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Portone Valpolicella Doc 2005

After liking a Valpolicella we had recently, picked up this cheaper $9 bottle for our pasta dinner. Very soft floral bouquet of dry spice and cherries. On the palate it was quite light, with morello cherries, some herbs and spice. Soft light tannins and a light dry finish, it did its job well as a light Italian table wine. Very easy drinking.
Light my word de jour.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

De Bortoli Sero Chardonnay Pinot Grigio 2005

Made from fruit from the King Valley, this odd blend initially had aromas of a chardonnay, with pear, smoke and cream, but changed quickly to green apple, pineapples and soft hints of stone and white pepper. On the palate it was relatively full, soft and round, with acidity balanced and quite a nice dry finish. As a blend it did flip between the two varieties, not really fully integrating to become something distinctive. Otherwise it was quite a nice easy drinking white, and pretty good value at $12.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Caves Império Bairrada DOC Vinho Tinto 1999

Not having a wine from Portugal before, tried this red wine from Bairrada (DOC). The bouquet was initially fairly light, and reminiscent of an Italian Valpolicella with morello cherries, herbs and spices. On the palate it was quite rustic and chewey, initially bitter but softening somewhat to sour cherries, citruss peel and some herbs. Not that refined but balanced, and seemed to work much better with food. Not a stand-alone drinking wine, moreso functions as a rustic-peasant table wine.
50+4+12+14+7 = 87/100

Torres de Casta Rosado 2005

This rose from Spain, made from a mix of grenacha and cariñena, had a vibrant ruby pink colour. On the boquet were strawberrys, cherries, herbs and faint nuts. On the palate was a nice chewey acidy, with vibrant fruits and herbs, and was very dry in its finish. A more fruitier style of wine, but well made and good with food. Not bad value at around $15.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

De Bortoli Windy Peak Sangiovese 2005

My old friend Mark gave good praise for this wine so decided to try it. Opened to soft aromas of cherry, strawberry and herbs (oregeno?). On the palate it seemed initially fairly light, but built as it opened up, and by the last glass it had noticeably gained weight and complexity. Good rounded fruit around softish tannins, it was very well balanced and finished quite dry and savoury. A light decant may be a good idea, as it really comes up on the last glass. Overall a very accomplished expression of the variety, not that far from medium bodied Italian examples. Very good value at $12, a little less so at $15 for what I paid. I hope the price doesn't rise further with its reputation.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Toolangi Estate Chardonnay 2004

Finally found this wine again, albeit a new vintage. On the bouquet soft aromas of nectarine, pear, peach, cashew and vanilla. The palate was again quite tight, yet relaxed somewhat, with more focus on the fruit. Lovely integrated fruit / oak structure, with a mild creaminess and minerality. Quite a long lingering finish. This is still a superb chardonnay, although I think a little less focused and softer than the fantastic 2002 vintage. Still, it's a pleasure to have again.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Howard Park Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

I was quite looking forward to having a really good Australian Cab Sav, and went with this one from WA as had heard good reviews about it. The bouquet initially was quite boofy, with tangy bananna aromas, so decanted it, and it did settle down to show berries, currants, chocolate, mocha and some earthiness. On the palate was a big tangy acidity, which for me ruined the experience. I did hope it would abate, but it never really went away, which was dissapointing as there was some nice things happening below it. I ended up abandoning drinking the rest (although Deb was happy to polish it off, citing it was more of a bbq wine) and consoled my self to opening another bottle of NZ Chardonnay. Overall, while I know many people just love big boofy fruity acidic reds, I think they are just stupid and crude. I think a good balsamic has more class. A waste of $35.
50+4+12+12+6 = 84/100

Vigne Nuove Di Musella Valpolicella Superiore 2004

And for dinner, this Italian un-oaked Valpolicella from Verona. Aromas of morello cherries, strawberries, spice and vanilla. The palate was very soft and light, with a superb mix of cherries and herbs over very fine tannins. Not a lot of length, but great mouthfeel and finish. A very lovely and light table wine, which I think would please those who like the feminine touch in a wine.
50+4+14+16+7 = 91/100

Blind River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006

This SB using fruit from the Awatere Valley, had a big relatively sweet bouquet of gooseberries, passionfruit, grass and musk. On the palate it had a crisp but balanced acidity, minerals and quite a dry finish, with a very nice mouthfeel. This is a very well crafted NZ SB, and would be quite popular with most people, as the bouquet would suggest, but for me its the restraint and balance displayed on the palate which makes this really lovely wine.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Château de Villegeorge Haut-Médoc 2002

And finally to our last wine for 2006. This Bordeaux (which Phil has previously tried) made from 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot had aromas of deep rich plum, blueberries, mint, mocha and went on to some terroir notes with sap/twigs, crushed ants and a little earth. On the palate again rich plum and berry puree around silky but evident tannins and oak - (a decant is recommended). Medium bodied and very nicely structured, it finished soft and had good length. I thought this was a superb wine, and has got me interested in Cab Sav again, which I intend to explore a bit more in 2007.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Lucien Crochet Le Chêne Marchand Sancerre 2004

After our Champagne, we opened this single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from Bué. Initially the bouquet was elusive, but as it warmed showed aromas of green apples, underipe pineapple, wax, twigs, stone and honeysuckle. On the palate it was quite round and soft, with superb clean and balanced acidity over a slatey backbone. Very nice flinty finish. Very old world French in style, this is a very elegant Sancerre, more fruit driven than others I have had, but lovely. A good idea not to chill this one too much.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial NV

We opened this Champagne to start our quiet NY eve, which I've not had for some years. The bouquet was more reserved than I remember, with soft notes of limes, flowers and some nuts. The palate was very clean and balanced, with good beading, and was rather delicate and fruit driven. Good length and soft dry finish made this very elegant drinking, and is definitely not the same wine as it was several years ago, which from memory was far more floral, boofy and sweet, and a little unbalanced. It has improved quite a lot.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100