Jacob's Creek Riesling 2007

A cheap white was needed and this did the trick. On the bouquet a nice array of limes, flowers and citrus. On the palate it was quite juicy, with good balance, length and some clean mineral notes. Overall a very well made riesling and certainly a bargain at around $9. Definitely worth a case at such a price.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Zenato Amarone Della Valpolicella DOC Classico 2003

I took a gamble on this wine, knowing nothing but that Deb and I are quite fond of Valpolicella. Opened to quite a rich and ripe bouquet of raisins, cherry, herbs, tealeaf and some confected notes. On the palate it was quite syrupy for a valpolicella, with plenty of alcohol present (16%), but not in a hot way. Sort of halfway between a table wine and a port or sweet sherry. Deb was quite impressed and did enjoy it more than I can say I did. An interesting wine but a little sweet and heady for me. Not quite a food wine, and a bit rich at $99.
50+4+12+18+7 = 91/100

Warburn Estate Gossips Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2007

A new vintage of this very cheap wine which can be had for $5 in some stores. Opened to a lean but respectable bouquet of citrus, lemon, gooseberry and some florals. On the palate again it was quite lean, but well balanced acidity and really no faults. Quite easy drinking, and really a great bargain. My thanks to my parents for sending me a bottle.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon 1998

Very much looking forward to this wine, which I am sure I have had a couple of years ago. On the bouquet a complex array of lime, lemon curd, wax, toast, smoke and some sweet musk. On the palate acidity was quite robust, but balanced, with lovely soft citrus and sherbert tones. Finished long and lingering. This is superb semillon, and would benefit probably with another 5 years in the bottle. Matched our Sea Bass fillets perfectly.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Scotchmans Hill Swan Bay Pinot Noir 2006

Some Pinot for dinner, and a relatively cheap one at that. Opened to quite a pleasant bouquet of plum, cherry, strawberry, spice and a touch of spice. On the palate it was a little thin in body, but with balanced acidity and decent tannins. Overall not a bad pinot for $20, but does lack weight and character.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Nautilus Marlborough Pinot Noir 2006

Needing a bit of pinot noir, tried this one for the first time from Marlborough. Opened to quite a soft and reserved bouquet of dark and sour cherry, plum, spice and a touch of sap. On the palate it was quite light in body, but very well balanced with dark fruits over quite subtle tannins. Finish was again subtle and smooth. Overall this was quite a decent pinot, and although I think it lacks a little dimension, it is very drinkable. A touch overpriced at $45.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Premier Cru Montmains 2005

The 2nd last bottle from our xmas case, this chablis from Montmains opened to a fine bouquet of citrus, white peach and pears, grilled nuts, sweet musk and florals. On the palate there was a very delicate balance of fruits over minerals, with some grapefruit on the finish, which was quite reasonable in length. Overall quite a young wine, but drinking beautifully now and probably better with a few years. A superb aperitif.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Telmo Rodriguez Basa Rueda Blanco 2005

Out for a lovely dinner with my work colleges, Court and I took a risk and grabbed a bottle of this Spanish white, made from a blend of Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc and Viura grapes. On the bouquet, slight hints of lime, apple, flowers and some herbs. The palate initially was quite dry and acidic, and almost volitile, but did settle and subsequently became quite soft and accommodating on the palate. Nice acidity, decent length and generous finish. A lovely partner to our conversation and good finish to our meals. Good value at $20.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Gagnard-Delagrange Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot 2002

We had planned to drink this Burgundy on Christmas day, however we had flu so let it rest some more, or until last night at least. Opened to quite a locked bouquet, which slowly revealed aromas of grapefruit, hazelnuts, cream, honeycomb, apricot, spice, nougat and some sap notes. On the palate it was very dry, with clean juice, minerals and some tight but subtle oak. Relatively austere but elegant in its structure and may probably do with some further years in the bottle. Overall quite an interesting introduction to the region for me, and feel I could definitely explore Chassagne-Montrachet wines much further, albeit at some expense.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Delas St Esprit Cotes du Rhone 2005

And for dinner we tried this CDR, which we decanted for about an hour. On the bouquet were quite soft florals, raspberry, licorice, herbs and some earthy notes. On the palate it was light to medium in body, with very nice and soft fruits and tannins. Nicely balanced and delicate finish this was quite an enjoyable wine, even though it did lack a little dimension or character. But quite lovely really and probably one of the softest CDR's from my memory.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2005

I had read good reviews of this chardonnay from the Margaret River, so was looking forward to giving it a try. Opened to quite a sofisticated and complex bouquet of grapefruit, nuts, nutmeg, ginger, apricot, musk and cream. On the palate it was highly integrated and balanced, with medium body and superb soft-tight finish. The level of integration of its characters was remarkable and made for a very elegant, robust and skillfully made wine. Overall a top chardonnay and well worth $40.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Domaine de Saint-Antoine Rosé 2006

From the Costières de Nîmes appellation, this syrah-grenache rose opened to a pretty and fruity bouquet of raspberry, strawberry, herbs and a little spice and cream. On the palate it was quite well balanced, with juicy fruits, fresh acidity and a reasonable dry finish. Overall quite a respectable rose from the region, but I am sure there are better to be had.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100