Villa Puccini Toscana IGT 2004

This wine from Tuscany was a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, and opened to quite a nice array of red cherries, licorice, leather and some caramel notes. The palate was a little less interesting, with acidity becoming a little sharp. Tannins were in check and the wine generally balanced, but it did lack finesse and softness, which I have experienced with Toscana before. I do love Toscana but this one is just a little too edgey.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

Voyager Estate Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007

On special, I decided to give this wine a go, which I am sure I've never tried. Opened to quite a floral and herbaceous bouquet, with some nice citrus, tropical fruits, grassy notes and a little smokiness. On the palate it was quite crisp and dry, balanced and some nice clean minerality. Overall this was quite a nice SSB, not the finest I have had but would please most white wine drinkers.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

De Bortoli Campanella Syrah Dolcetto 2007

Deb grabbed this wine on impulse a few weeks ago, and we chilled it well as per its intructions. Opened to a rich and sweet bouquet of plums, raspberries, a little pepper and some floral notes. On the palate it was quite rich, sweet but not too sickly. I am not a fan of sweet reds but this wine chilled works very well at the end of a meal. Reminds me a little of say a ruby port, and they are rare so this is a nice substitute. Nice and cheap at $9.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Carrick Pinot Noir 2004

Grabbed what I hoped would be a tasty example of an Otago pinot, as Mark is starting to develop a fondness for the variety. Opened to a big and hot bouquet of cherries, strawberry, leaf mulch, spice and a little spice and earth. On the palate initially it was quite hot, with a lot of alcohol present, but after decanting for a little while it did settle to show quite an interesting, yet undeveloped palate. We were a little disappointed with this wine, as it seemed to lack depth and finesse. Would be interesting to try after a longer decant, or perhaps another vintage altogether. A bit overpriced at $60.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Nautilus Pinot Gris 2005

Dinner with my good friend Mark, we got this wine from Malborough on his recent recommendation. Opened to a slightly sweetish bouquet of pears, tropical fruits and gingery spice. On the palate it was quite refined, with a slippery nectarine puree mouthfeel over some nice minerality. Acidity was balanced and the wine finished soft and dry. Overall quite a good example of the style, although I would have perhaps liked it a little drier.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Collin Bourisset Les Burdines Mâcon Villages 2005

I think I have had the 2003 vintage of this wine a couple of years ago, but don't remember much about it, other than being a nice and cheap burgundy. Anyway this 2005 vintage opened to a reasonable bouquet of nectarine, peach, butter, mint and a little mineral and oak. On the palate it was quite lean in body, but well balanced. Had sort of a faux richness to it, but it did finished decently dry. Overall not the finest Mâcon I've tried, but still a reasonable cheap burgundy and a nice easy aperitif.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Portone Valpolicella 2005

Had to try this, after my fondness for their Soave. Opened to quite a fruity bouquet of cherries, spice and some plums. On the palate it was a bit grapey, with acidity running a little fast. But it did manage to blow off a little and settle, and did mananged to work better with some food. Not a great example of the style, but still it was cheap at $9.00. I think their Soave is far better value, and not a patch on other valpolicella's Ive had.
50+4+12+15+7 = 88/100

Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2007

After enjoying the 2006 quite a bit, we picked up the 2007 vintage, which had a new Burgundy bottle with new and fairly sexy labelling. Opened to classic NZ SB bouquet of passionfruit, gooseberry, grass, citruss, guava and some nice vanilla and spice. The palate was just as good as the last vintage, even a little better, with crisp fruits, some nice mineral, and a very dry and long finish. Some complexity with secondary and maybe tertiary flavours of asparagus and cheese (?). Really a potent and relatively punchy NZ SB. Overall a gutsy and powerful example.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Vineyard Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2007

After our lovely riesling, we went out for some dinner, and I grabbed this SSB quickly for our seafood meal (Ca Ru Xeoang I think). Opened to quite a fresh tropical bouquet of cirtus, passionfruit, gooseberry, sherbert and a little spice. On the palate again it was quite youthful and relatively light. Acidity was crisp, and well balanced but somehow this wine lacked a little complexity and depth, especially compared to the 2006 vintage we had about 6 months ago. But apart from that still quite a fine and tasty wine.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Trimbach Reserve Riesling 2004

Having tried the standard riesling a few days ago, decided to give their reserve offering a try. Opened to quite a soft, yet complex bouquet of citruss, petrol, grass, white fruits, sweet spice and minerals. On the palate it was quite fine, with clean fruit over some very nice slightly chalky minerality, as well as a touch of creaminess. Balance was superb, and finished relatively long and dry. Really a lovely aperitif, and quite refined although a touch austere.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006

A quick buy at the local, this SB from Marlborough opened to the obligatory classic NZ bouquet of passionfruit, gooseberry, minerals, grass and some creamy notes. The palate was quite fine with clean fruits and a nice minerality. Nice length and good dry finish, a wine which holds no surprises but is well made and quite delicious.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Henry Fessy Beaujolais Villages Domain des Paiens 2006

And with our lovely tomato and fennel spaghetti, this Beaujolais of which I have had before, albeit a different vintage and domain. Lovely soft bouquet of sour cherries, sap, raspberry, pepper and spice. The palate was a lovely light array of sour cherries, soft powdery tannins, balanced acid and soft dry finish. Overall quite a sound example of Beaujolais, not the best around but still delightful drinking.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Brookland Valley Verse 1

A quick trip down to the local and and in haste picked up this rose from the Margaret River. Opened to a rather thin bouquet of red berries, celery and sugar. On the palate rather thin, with a relatively split palate of juicy fruits and slightly tart acids. Residual sugar was evident and a fairly acidic and tart finish. Finesse this wine did not posses, and really a fairly slack effort for a $15 rose. Definitely better value exists for the price. Just drinkable.
50+4+11+14+6 - 85/100

La Chablisienne Chablis 2005

Needing some Chablis for our Perch dinner, got this relatively cheap one. Under screw-cap, opened to quite a fresh fruity bouquet of grapefruit, citrus peel, smoke, nuts and some floral notes. On the palate quite fresh fruit, cleansing acid and quite a tight and dry finish. Not a bad example of Chablis and did work quite well with our Perch in cream and Chablis sauce.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Trimbach Reisling 2005

Friday night Opera, and this time we drank this to a 1935 performance of Wagner's Die Walkuere, which sort of suited as this Alsatian wine was quite German in character. Opened to quite an austere bouquet of white pears, green apples and minerals. On the palate it had quite a smooth and soft minerality, with some nice fruit and clean acid, and a little creaminess at times which was a tad odd. Became a little sour as it warmed. Overall a little old fashioned, and while not the most interesting Riesling from Alsace I have tried, still quite refined drinking.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir 2006

Needing a Pinot, I picked this up at our local, remembering the 2005 vintage we had at a Pinot Noir tasting we had last year I think. Opened well to a nice bouquet of cherry, plums, mushroom, mulch and a little spice. On the palate a little thin, but interesting flavours of sap, cherries and some savoury characteristics. Finished a little sour but overall not a bad effort for a Yarra Valley pinot. Needs further development and maybe a decent decant.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Devil's Lair Chardonnay 2006

For her Birthday, Deb insisted on trying the new vintage of this wine, as she enjoyed the 2004 vintage so much. Opened to a pensive bouquet, which went on to reveal a little milk, oatmeal, smoky bacon, grapefruit, nectarine and pears. On the palate it was crystaline, with very clean slightly sweetish juicy fruits over a lovely mineral core. Again (as with the 2005 vintage), this was quite Burgundinian in style, perhaps tighter and finer than the 2005, but unfortunately it did not serve our purposes as it lacked the fabulous character of the 2004 of which we loved so much. But still quite a fine wine.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut Nv

More Champagne, this time for Debs birthday. We did often get this wine about 10 years ago, when it went for about $45 to $50 a bottle, but have not had it for quite some years. Opened well to an attractive bouquet of green apples, caramel, a little yeast and some floral notes. On the palate it was fairly well balanced, with some nice minerality. Beading was a little course and did flatten somewhat, and acidity was a touch nasty as it warmed. It was a shame as we drank a fair bit of this years ago, and would like to make it our signature Champagne, but it unfortunately doesn't quite cut-the-mustard anymore for us. But it did go down well with our lovely oysters.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

Pol Roger Brut 1998

For dinner with an old friend, I splurged a little on this Champagne, as it was on special, but moreso having greatly enjoyed the NV previously from the same house. Opened to quite a fine bouquet of citrus, brioche, cream and some flowers. On the palate it was very smooth, with very fine and persistant beading. Lovely creamy lemon cheesecake aroma and texture at one point, fine and balanced acidity and quite an elegant and cleansing finish. This wine does confirm my penchant for Pol Roger, and although having a little more complexity than the NV, I think the NV is somehow a little better value. Lovely all the same.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100