Me Matahiwi Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Another wine from the local, this SB from NZ had aromas of muted passionfruit, citrus, grass, vegetables and herbs. On the palate it was quite crisp, with fine and balanced acidity, good length and an edgy savoury finish. Overall a fairly typical NZ SB which lacked a little distinction, but well made and fairly cheap. Elegant labelling.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Me Matahiwi Estate Pinot Noir 2004

This pinot from Wairarapa NZ was down at my local and as I do like NZ pinots, I grabbed it. On the bouquet was a pleasant mix of plum, strawberry, raspberry, hay and some autumnal characters. The palate showed soft and rounded fruit, with some oak and spice. It did gravitate towards sweetness, but did hold itself back. The finish was soft and dry, and length medium. Overall I was quite taken by this pinot, even though it was a relatively light wine, it was quite elegant. A good bargain at $19.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Yalumba Y Series Riesling 2006

From I believe the Eden Valley, this riesling had quite a lovely floral bouquet of lemon, lime, talc and musk. On the palate it had an interesting but balanced cross of oily juciness and powdery minerality. Acid was clean and balanced and the finish was dry but fairly short. Overall a very well made riesling, and what it lacked in length it certainly made up for in the bouquet. Great value at around $10.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Chateau Tour Plantey Graves 2002 Blanc

Picked this up when I was getting my wine for the Woine Toime riesling challenge. Pale yellow with a green tinge and a smokey lime bouquet with a slight minerally smell.

Velvety on the forepalate with a broad refreshing midpalate and when it warmed to a cleansing acidity with a medium length. This would be wonderful with a mildly flavoured fish and is a delight to drink on it's own.

I will have to see if I can pick up another bottle of this at some stage.



98/100
80% Semillion, 20% Sauvignon Blanc

Saltram Pepperjack Chardonnay 2004

This is the second wine I have had from this label, the other being a robust rose some months ago. On the bouquet was a fairly funky nose of melon, fuzzy peach, burnt honey, musk and grilled nuts. On the palate it was well balanced, with clean fruit over moderate oak. Finished quite dry but a little short. Overall quite nice, reminiscent of petit Chablis in style. A good example of the current Chardonnay style, and there are a lot around for $25. Needs a little more distinction I feel.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Robert Channon Merlot 2002

And finally to the last Channon wine. This merlot had a rather limited bouquet of cherries, berries, oak and not much else. Likewise the palate was a little lean, with slightly sharp fruits over (American) oak which was a little foreward. Again the body was relatively light and the finish not that long. I think the 2003 was more expressive and generous. Hopefully future releases will continue to improve.
50+4+11+15+7 = 87/100

Cartwheel Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2005

A wine from Great Southern WA, it had very pale aromas of passionfruit, gooseberry, snowpeas and lemon. On the palate it was very very soft, almost not there, but was very well balanced and relatively light. Not much length or finish. Despite that, this wine was still quite a pleasure to drink and demanded little engagement, which is a relief sometimes. I think overpriced for $14 but would go for it at around $10.
50+4+11+16+7 = 88/100

Peter Lehmann Barossa Riesling 2006

A new vintage of this riesling, of which the 2005 was excellent. Aromas of primarily soft flowers, musk and some apple. On the palate it was well balanced, clean but more fruit was evident. The finish and length were a bit of a dissapointment, but still a nice wine. This was much more delicate and did not have the power and grace of the last vintage. Dont pay more than $10 for it would be my recommendation.
50+4+11+16+7 = 88/100

Robert Channon Cabernet Merlot 2003

The 2nd red from my Channon pack, this Cab Merlot showed moderate aromas of berries, plum, spice, oak, herbs and a little vanilla at the back. On the palate it was relatively thin in body, with decent berry and cherry fruit, soft tannins and a little oak. Very smooth but lacked depth and character. Not a bad wine, and worth it's current half-price of $7, but not worth much more than that.
50+4+12+15+6 = 87/100

Chrismont King Valley Riesling 2005

This riesling from Victoria opened with a rich bouquet of red apples, pineapple, apple skin and a touch of musk. On the palate it was quite fleshy, with red apples dominating. Good but soft acidity, with a little mineral and decent finish. This was certainly distinctive riesling, more on the fruity and sweet side, sort of heading towards a traminer, but still pleasant and interesting. Would work well with mild asian dishes.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Robert Channon Verdelho 2004

Our second wine at dinner, this is another from the Robert Channon pack. The bouquet held soft and rounded fruit salad, melon, spices, toast and vanilla. On the palate it was more rounded than the 2005 vintage, yet acidity was still clean and robust, making for a very fresh clean palate, not dissimilar to a Sav Blanc. Again a superb Verdelho, and again probably Channon makes the best around.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Robert Channon Chardonnay 2006

Again another Channon, this time a Chardonnay barrel fermented in French oak. The bouquet was quite funky, with melon, sweet tropical fruit, peach, butter and cream. On the palate again it was relatively sweet and fruity, but the medium oak did restrain it from being sickly. Mouthfeel was soft and oily, with a slighty chewey acidity and a decent dry finish. Not a bad effort for a chardonnay from QLD, and although bordering on over-sweetness, it managed to carry itself quite well.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Robert Channon Merlot 2003

Another Channon from my gift box, this merlot had quite a lovely bouquet of berries, cherry, black pepper, sage and a little vanilla right at the back. On the palate it was fairly light, but very soft and well balanced. Bright but soft fruit over a hint of oak, and length was a little short but this was again quite a well made wine. It really only lacked a little more body and complexity. Currently half price for $7 which is very good value indeed.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Robert Channon Verdelho 2005

I am NOT a fan of this grape variety, after having tried a few examples in the past which were quite terrible, but as my parents have just generously sent me a selection of wines from this maker in the Granite Belt QLD after their recent visit, I was obliged. On the bouquet was quite a fine and delicious mix of fruit salad, smoke, some herbs and olive or clove oil. The palate again was surprisingly fine, with a lovely minerality, fine acidity, slightly oily mouthfeel and a deft dry finish. Fruit was robust, but curbed by a savoury edge, and there was some residue in the bottle, most likely isinglass. Overall this was a very accomplished wine, even moreso for a Verdelho. Certainly the best Verdelho I have ever had, and according to accounts the best out of QLD and probably this country. I look forward to trying the 2004 vintage.
50+4+14+16+7 = 91/100

Rocky Point Otago Pinot Noir 2004

Our 2nd bottle at dinner on Friday, this NZ Central Otago pinot opened to a classic NZ bouquet of sour cherry, strawberry, sap, earth and herbs. On the palate it was mid-bodied, with a good balance of fruit and oak. Acidity was fine, as were tannins soft, lending it some Burgundinian style. This was a pretty good example of Central Otago pinot, and a slight bargain at $30.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Evans & Tate Gnangara Sauvignon Blanc 2006

This SB from the Margaret River and Geographe, had quite a big floral bouquet of typical passionfruit, citrus, grass and some herbs at the back. On the palate it was quite citrussy, with acidity in balance and a fine minerality. The fruit did stand out, but was held back a little by a nice savoury edge. Good clean dry finish. I was fairly impressed by this SB, and would normally avoid it, but lucky it was a gift.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

In my intermittant search for good Cab Sav, decided to give this a try. Lovely bouquet of plum, berries, cedar, mint, dark chocolate and some herbs. On the palate it was well rounded, with berries and plum over very nice oak and grainy tannins. The finish was quite dry, but soft and long. Overall this was a beautifully structured wine, and would do well with further cellaring. Well worth $35 but I think it can be had cheaper.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Langmeil GWH Viognier 2006

Having liked very much Langmeil's Semillon for some years, thought to try their attempt at Viognier. Nice heady bouquet of apricot, nougat, lemon and spice. On the palate quite robust, and holds its balance. Fine riesling-like acidity and minerality run through the fruit, and finishes quite long and with a savoury dryness. The only detraction was a hint of SO2 lurking somewhere, but overall quite a good attempt. I would say it was worth its price at $17.
50+4+12+17+7= 90/100