Finca El Puig Priorat 2002

Unusual to see a Priorat at Vintage Cellars, so had to give it a go. Made from a blend of Grenache, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, the bouquet showed a refined array of rich red and black fruits, herbs, minerals, marzipan and balsamic. On the palate fruits were integrated into some very soft and fine tannins over quite a pronounced mineral backbone. Body was light to medium, and finished soft and balanced. Overall quite a refined and interesting wine, and a very nice intro to Priorat for me.
50+4+12+18+7 = 91/100

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Mis En Cave 2004

I picked up two bottles of this Champagne as it was reduced, plus having never tried it. On the bouquet it displayed lemon and orange peel, bread, musk and some biscuit notes. The palate showed strong consistent fine beading, with citrus characteristics dominant. Length was decent and finish quite dry and refined. Overall a nice balanced wine, and very good value at $50.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Chateau du Donjon Rose Minervois 2006

Some rose in winter? Not the greatest match but decided to get some nonetheless. Made from Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, the bouquet was fairly timid, but held a nice array of red berry fruit, musk and a touch of spice. On the palate it was nicely balanced, with a little sweetness on the fruit, and a touch of cream, but curbed by a soft dry finish. Quite a pleasant wine and aperitif.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Domaine de Villeneuve Chateauneuf du Pape 2005

My interest in Chateauneuf continues, and was keen to try another. Opened to quite a big bouquet of red berries, maraschino cherry, earth and some spice. On the palate it was hot, with alcohol just pushing through. Fruits were rich and tannins quite solid, but it was still well integrated. Overall I just found this wine too big, hot and masculine, and although it may settle somewhat with time, I know I am not a fan of this particular house style.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Agrapart & Fils Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV

On high recommendation from the store assistant, we acquired a bottle of this Champagne from Avize. The bouquet was quite refined and floral, with pear, honey, nougat and cream. On the palate it was again smooth and creamy, with fine but soft beading, balanced acidity and quite a soft and dry finish. Overall a very seductive and well crafted Champagne. Good value at $80. The artwork on the label however is quite awful.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Avril Clos des Papes Châteauneuf du Pape 2002

Another fine wine needed, I spotted several Châteauneufs, but the friendly assistant recommended this one, as it was reduced in price due to the poor 2002 vintage. After a couple of hours in the decanter, the wine showed a lovely fragrant array of ripe red-fruits, cinnamon, earth, slight game, minerals and florals. On the palate it was initially a touch sharp and thin, but did settle quickly into a wonderful melange of red fruits, caramel, vanilla integrated into some very svelt tannins. Overall this was an excellent wine for such a poor vintage. Beautifully structured, seductive drinking.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Toolangi Reserve Chardonnay 2005

Needing some good stuff for a relaxed Friday evening, I splurged $80 on Toolangi's flagship Chardonnay. Opened to a soft but focused bouquet of stone fruits, quince, fig, honey, oatmeal, hazelnuts and a touch of stem ginger. On the palate it was very fine and balanced, with fruits being quite powerful but very reserved. Finished quite tight, long and focused. Overall an extremely elegant expression of the variety, although I think it was perhaps a little overpriced. Marvelous.
50+4+14+17+8 = 93/100

Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 2005

Reduced, decided to try the 2005 vintage of this wine, as the 2007 was very nice indeed. Opened to delicate aromas of orange, lime, apple, florals and a little petroleum. On the palate again it was quite delicate, with soft citrus fruits over some fine minerality. Lacked the power and length of the 2007, but overall quite a fine and delicate riesling.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Zenato Valpolicella Doc Classico Superiore 2005

Produced from vineyards in the commune of Sant’Ambrogio, from 85% corvina, 10% rondinella, and 5% sangiovese, this wine opened with aromas of berries, sweet musk, violets and marzipan. On the palate it was mid bodied, with fairly rich fruits over some quite dry and savoury tannins. Finish was quite persistant and drying. Quite an attractive wine, although just a touch sweet for me.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2005

It has been quite some years since I have had this Chardonnay, so was keen to see if still held up. On the bouquet it showed lemon, orange, grapefruit, orange blossom and a hint of butter. On the palate it was quite fine, with citrus and nougat flavours over some nice minerality. Finish was quite tight and dry, and fairly persistant. Again quite a fine chardonnay which still has it for me.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Having had their shiraz, we decided to try their Cab Sav. On the bouquet were aromas of blackberries, blueberry, sweet musk, aniseed and a little oak. On the palate fruits were meduim in body and well integrated with some light oak and acid. Tannins were soft and finish quite decent. Overall quite a nice Cab Sav.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Domain Phillip Jones Classic Pinot Noir 2001

Another wine from Bass Phillip, this time quite an aged pinot from fruit sourced in the Mornington Peninsula. The bouquet held an array of sour cherry, strawberry, sweet musk, honey, minerals and some earthy notes. On the palate quite rich berry fruits, with a little rustic earth and sap underneath. Quite a lot of length in the finish, and I did feel the acidity a little overdone. Overall a relatively complex and finely crafted wine, with a rustic feel. Not sure it would cellar that much further.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Maison Champy Bourgogne Chardonnay 2005

A recent vintage of this relatively cheap white Burgundy, the bouquet showed aromas of grapefruit, melon, ginger, nuts, cream and spice. On the palate a little leaner than previous vintages, but with quite a focused structure and tight dry finish. Would definitely develop somewhat in the bottle but still quite fresh and pleasant drinking now.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100