Bodegas Palacio Cosme Palacio Rioja 2005

And to the last wine in my Spanish purchase. This Rioja, again from Bodegas Palacio showed light aromas of strawberry, raspberry, cherry and a little spice. On the palate it was quite lightweight for a Rioja, but was well balanced and very easy going. Overall quite a lightweight wine, lacking some depth and structure of better Riojas. Nonetheless it is cheap but definitely not nasty. Around $11.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Viña Mayor Ribera Del Duero Tinto Roble 2005

Another Del Duero, this time showing a bouquet of cherry, plum, leather and oak. Similar story on the palate with some softish tannins in play. Acidity was a little rogue but overall not a bad, cheap Tempranillo. A good decant recommended.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Bodegas Palacio Glorioso Reserva Rioja 2003

Another wine from the Spanish imports, this Rioja displayed aromas of blackberry, raspberry, licorice, caramel and some soft oak. On the palate it was medium bodied, with rich fruit and ripe tannins. Again another reasonably priced Rioja which showed good value, and is very drinkable. Very good.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Bodegas Palacio Glorioso Rioja 2004

This Rioja showed aromas of chocolate, vanilla, blackberries and oak. On the palate it was well balanced, with fruit and oak nicely married and soft tannins framing the wine well. Overall this is very nice Rioja, and at a very reasonable price.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Sitios de Bodega Con Class Vendimia Rueda DO 2007

Another white from the Spanish wines, this white wine is made from 10% Viura, 10% Sauvignon Blanc and 80% Verdejo grapes. On the Bouquet were aromas of citrus, honey, nettles and melon. On the palate it was quite rounded, with soft citrus and melon fruits. Finished quite dry and refreshing. Again another very pleasant Spanish white, which would suit seafood very well.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Ninth Island Pinot Noir 2007

New vintage for this wine, which I think we had the 2006 last December. Opened to a competant and interesting bouquet of cherry, raspberry pastilles, smoke and some spice. On the palate it was quite robust with rough-ish tannins, sour fruits and sour finish. Overall seems a little more interesting than the last vintage. Still good value at under $25.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Damana Ribera Del Duero 2004

Another wine from the Spanish imports, this red made from 100% Tempranillo displayed aromas of cherry, raspberry, licorice, violets and spice. On the palate it was quite fruit laden, with a little alcohol heat showing, but the grainy but soft tannins were attractive and carried the fruit well. It did lean on the sweet side but still quite a nice robust Spanish red.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Sitios de Bodega Con Class Verdejo Rueda DO 2007

Was excited to try some new Spanish imports at Vintage, so grabbed a mixed half case, of which this being one. Made from I believe 100% Verdejo, the bouquet was quite tropical with gooseberry, melon, pineapple, apples and lime. On the palate it was fresh, balanced and juicy, with some sherbert notes. Finished crisp and dry with hints of almonds. Overall this was a very generous, refreshing and well made white wine. A great bargain at around $10.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Beelgara Regional Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Deb innocently brought this home for dinner one evening from the local as was a cold night and I think we were having some stew. The bouquet was big and hot, and beyond that loaded with fruit and not much else. It was a similar story on the palate, just loads of fruit and alcohol loosely intermingling in a lazy way. Overall just a big headache inducing stupid fruit bomb. Why you would want to reserve this is anyones guess.
50+4+10+14+6 = 84/100

Taylors St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

One evening we partook in this flagship Taylors wine from the Clare Valley, which I am sure I have not tried before. Aromas of cherry, cassis, mint, cedar and touch of tobacco. On the palate it was well structured, if perhaps lacking a little depth. Its sweetness was a little pronounced for my taste, but still was quite pleasant drinking. Overall a very well made wine, but lacked the savouryness and depth I like in the variety.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Tahbilk Marsanne 2007

The latest vintage of this Marsanne opened to quite a citrussy bouquet of lemons, oranges and lime with honey suckle and some sherbert notes. On the palate again lots of citrus, with a fairly light body and structure. May need some time in the bottle to soften and round out but still made for very pleasant drinking.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Château de Ferrand Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2001

Another Bordeux to try, this one from St-Hippolyte, east of Saint-Émilion. Opened to quite an expressive bouquet of raisins, prunes, cinnamon, earth and wood. On the palate it was quite refined, with balanced fruits over some slightly greenish but softening tannins, with a nice stoney minerality beneath. Overall quite a competent and generous wine which should cellar further reasonably successfully.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Tahbilk Shiraz 2003

I can't say I have ever had a red from Talbilk, only I think a Riesling and their excellent Marsanne, so was keen to try this. Opened to quite a sweet bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, plum, chocolate and a little spice. On the palate it was quite soft and rich, with more sweet fruits over some ripe and quite soft tannins. Overall quite a nice drop, although probably lacks a bit of structure. But nonetheless quite a generous wine.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling 2007

Good to try the current vintage of this reisling, of which the 2005 was quite excellent. Opened to a rather powerful bouquet of lemon, lime, white fruits, green apples and minerals. On the palate it was quite racy, with good acidity and minerality. It did lack the power of the 2005, but still consistent in its form and quality. Could develop further interest with some time.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Seppelt Grampians Chardonnay 2007

Picked up this Chardonnay, as not having seen it around before. Opened to a bouquet with strong citrus, grapefruit, bubble-gum-ish melon and a touch of alcohol. On the palate it seemed fairly well integrated in structure with citrus fruits dominant, which made it tight on the forepalate, but mid and back palate for me were flabby. Overall not a bad attempt but needs more control.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Chardonnay 2005

For our Friday night aperitif, decided to try this Chardonnay from Taylors. Opened to an array of melon, fig, ginger, grapefruit, cashew and a touch of cream. On the palate it was quite harmonious, tight and dry. Nothing really did stand out to distinguish the wine, and although a well crafted wine, just a tad boring. Would cellar well though.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Kooyong Ferrous Pinot Noir 2003

At a friend's party we opened this pinot, a single vineyard wine from the Mornington Peninsula. On the bouquet were aromas of wild strawberries, sour cherries, meat, sap and some spice notes. On the palate it was very refined, with cherries over some very fine tannins. Seemed a little locked but structurally quite sound and would potentially cellar well. Excellently crafted Australian pinot.
50+4+14+18+7 = 93/100

Leeuwin Estate Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2002

A left over from a recent dinner, this wine made from 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot opened to a soft and expressive bouquet of blackcurrant, blackberries, vanilla and some savoury spice. On the palate were medium weight fruits including plum and more blackberries over some quite fine tannins. Overall quite a well made blend.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Collin-Bourisset Châteauneuf-du-pape Les Millets 2006

Was pleased to see at least one Châteauneuf on the shelf, so grabbed it for our dinner. Made from a blend of 45% Shiraz, 45% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre, it opened to an array of cherries, licorice, leather, stalk and some spice. On the palate it was light to medium bodied, with slightly sharp fruits over some soft and slightly green tannins. Finish was decent but overall found this a little disappointing, especially compared to the last Châteauneuf I had. I am also beginning to realise that Bourisset wines are not of any great quality.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2007

Another cheap Chilean wine from my last case, this pinot opened to a generous bouquet of redcurrants, plums, stawberry and a hint of spice. On the palate it showed sour cherries and spice, but with a relatively thin body and finish. Overall quite a good attempt, and despite its thiness it was more restrained and better crafted than most pinots at under $10.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100