Château du Cèdre "Le Prestige" 2005

It's been a little while since we last had this wine, which was the 2002 vintage. On the bouquet were aromas of deep blackberries and plums with some oak and spice. On the palate it seemed more fruit driven than the last vintage, but the big tannins were still there, just a little overshadowed by the fruit. Overall a touch rougher than the 2002, but I think with some time it should settle and refine more. Still, a great French red.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Prophet's Rock Pinot Noir 2006

From reading the label, this wine is from the same makers as Rocky Point Pinot, which gave me impetus to try this. After a decent decant, the bouquet showed a lovely array of sweet-sour morello cherry, oak, pepper, sap and some herbal notes. On the palate some nice sour cherry fruits, with sappy notes. Balanced body, ripe silky tannins and cheeky finished made this quite a respectable Otago Pinot. A little pricey at $50 but still very nice. Would cellar well.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Mitchelton Print Shiraz 2002

I purchased this Shiraz, as it was the last one on the shelf and was reduced by $10 to $40. Contained in a hugely weighted burgundy bottle under cork, it opened to reveal a heady array of plums, cherries, licorice, chocolate, vanilla and leather. On the palate again it was heady, with some alcohol showing. Good tannins and balanced acidity didn't dissuade me from determining that this was one big boofy, ballsy fruit bomb. A shame, as Australian Shiraz can be very intelligent and refined (eg. Maurice O'Shea Shiraz). Still, nice label.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Villa Terlina Gradale Babera D'Asti DOC 2004

Something Italian for Debs and dinner. Made from 100% Barbera, Opened to aromas of plum, redberries, oak, chocolate, vanilla and some herbs. On the palate it was lean in body, with fruit well integrated into some very soft and svelt savoury tannins. Good length and soft dry finish made this a very user friendly Italian wine, leaning more towards the savory spectrum. Quite lovely.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Domaine Métrat La Roilette Fleurie 2006

In the city, I managed to pick up this Beaujolais, which I do enjoy quite a lot. Made from 100% Gamay, the bouquet showed aromas of sour cherries, red apple, caramel, mint, honey and some earthy notes. On the palate it showed fresh fruits, cheeky but balanced acids and chewy tannins. Nice length and dry finish made this quite a delightful wine. Would suit cheeses very well.
50+4+14+17+7 = 92/100

Obikwa Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

The last variety from my cheap bundle. Opened to quite a pongy bouquet of Cabernet leaf, red berries and spice. On the palate it was quite rich and hot, with grainy acid and furry tannins. Lacked any grace or finesse, but again was just drinkable, and probably would quite suitable for cooking meats. Definitely not as good as their Shiraz.
50+4+11+13+6 = 84/100

Obikwa Shiraz 2007

Another $2.50 bottle, this time a shiraz. Opened to quite a decent bouquet of redberries, cherries, spice and licorice. On the palate it was well balanced, with rich fruit over some nice savory tannins. Body was medium and finish and length very respectable. A much better wine than the Dry White, and very drinkable. Quite the bargain red of the year.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Obikwa Classic Dry White 2008

Needing some cooking wine, I grabbed initially 2 bottles of this SA wine for the price of one, but the assistant suggested I could get 4 mixed bottles for the price of one. I thought what the hell and bought 4, as not to engage her banal sales banter any further. Aromas of bubblegum, citrus, grass and a hint of petrol. On the palate it didn't change much from that, but oddly was quite drinkable, more so at lower temperatures. It did function well in my mushroom pasta at least, and at $2.50 a bottle it was the lowest priced serviceable wine I think I have ever had.
50+4+11+14+7 = 86/100

Viu Manent Malbec Reserve 1999

Some Malbec, this one from Chile. Opened to quite a dry savory bouquet of blackcurrant, smoky oak, coffee and a touch of vanilla. On the palate it was quite lean in body, with some mineral and drying tannins dominating the fruit, but in quite a nice way. Medium in length and quite a drying finish. Quite a lean and dry red which is quite easy drinking. Not bad.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Henschke Keyneton Estate Euphonium 2005

We hadn't had this wine for quite some years, and from faded memory we did enjoy it back then. So decided to give it a try once again. Big bouquet of fruit, with plum, cassis, blackberries, oak, licorice and vanilla. On the palate it was well balanced, with fruit dominating. Tannins were ripe yet a little subdued. Good length and a dry, slightly savoury finish made this quite a rich and generous wine. My only complaint was the fruit was too dominant, and there was a touch of alcohol heat.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Château de Ferrand Baron Bich Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2000

Now for some Bordeaux, this time from a Chateau owned by the Bich family, and named after Baron Marcel Bich, the founder of the Bic pen company. Made from 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the bouquet initially was quite expressive, showing bluberries, vanilla, oak and earth. Gradually it sank back into the palate, which showed berry fruits over some dusty and quite drying tannins. Towards the last glass (about 3hrs out of the bottle) it became more interesting, showing some wonderful blueberry muffin flavours. Overall quite an interesting Bordeaux, which definitely needs about 3 or 4 hours in a decanter.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Leconfield Old Vines Riesling 2005

After enjoying their Cab Sav, was curious to try their riesling. Opened to a very floral bouquet of lemon, orange, white peach, sherbet, musk and spice. On the palate it was well bodied, with soft but powerful fruits over some nice clean acid and mineral. Finished soft and long. Overall quite an excellent example of Australian riesling. Very good value at around $25.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Rongopai Hawke's Bay Merlot Cabernet 2006

Meaning apparently 'Good Taste', this Cab Merlot from NZ opened to quite an attractive bouquet of ripe plums, blackcurrant, oak and some coffee and spice. On the palate fruits were ripe, over some more ripe tannins. It was quite well balanced and finished soft and dryish. Overall a very suave and approachable red. Would do well with lamb I think.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2006

For dinner we picked up this Shiraz from McLaren Vale. Opened to a generous and rich bouquet of blackberry, chocolate, mocha, coconut and some nice oak. On the palate again quite rich in fruit, but in check and quite balanced. Tannins were very soft, with a savoury edge. Overall a big-style red, but with control and finesse. Good value at $40.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Domaine Henry Pelle Menetou-Salon Morogues 2006

This is the third wine we have tried from Henry Pelle, the others being a baseline Menetou-Salon and a Sancerre. Opened to an expressive bouquet of lemon, gooseberry, grass, stalk, honey and some mineral. On the palate it was well toned, with relatively intense fruit over some nice acid and minerals. Finished quite soft and dry. All up quite a delightful wine, not too dissimilar to a mid priced Sancerre.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Maison Champy Pernand-Vergelesses Clos de Bully 2005

A new Burgundy to try, this time from Pernand-Vergelesses, north of Aloxe-Corton. Opened to some nice aromas of red berries, caramel, spice, mushroom and a little oak. On the palate it was relatively lean, with a good structure and decent softening tannins. Some nice minerality and acidity made for quite a straightforward burgundy, which was pleasant enough. Lacked a little dimension.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Château Franc-Pérat Premiere Cotes de Bordeaux 2005

A new French import at Vintage, decided to give a try. Opened to quite a lush fruit bouquet, with cassis, plum, raspberry, strawberry, mint, cab leaf and a little twig. On the palate again lush fruits with some oak evident. Tannins were ripe and soft and finish again so. A nice approachable and fairly cheap Bordeaux.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Omaka Springs Falveys Pinot Noir 2005

Purchased on recommendation from the assistant, I got this wine for Saturday night dinner. From Malborough, it opened to a rather attractive bouquet of cherries, boysenberry, spice and a little earth and sap underneath. On the palate fruit was generous and integrated with some oak. Tannins were ripe and soft, length quite long and finish nicely rounded. Overall more a fruit driven pinot, but still very well made.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Concha Y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2007

We got the latest vintage of this SB, of which we have tried the 2004, 2005 and 2006 vintages which were consistent in quality and value. Now a little more expensive at around $14, it opened to an array of gooseberries, citrus, some grass and green capsicum. On the palate it was quite dry and focused, with good balance and some nice powdery minerality. Finish was crisp and dry, and quite tight. Overall I think marginally better than the previous vintage. Very nice wine.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Château Balac Cru Bourgeois Cuvée Prestige Haut-Medoc 2003

Asking the assistant which of the 3 stocked Haut-Medocs they recommended, they suggested this wine. After an hour or so of decanting, the bouquet showed red and black berry fruit, cedar, cab-leaf, earth and some mineral. The palate was fairly restrained, with oak a little dominant, fruit somewhat underdeveloped and tannins fairly drying. I felt this wine did possess some interest and complexity, but was too young and unsettled. Overall not a bad Haut-Medoc, but have had certainly much better.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Peregrine Saddleback Pinot Noir 2007

Always keen to try NZ pinot, an moreover from Central Otago. This wine made with fruit sourced from the Gibbston and Cromwell basin, showed aromas of cherries, violets, spice and some sap/twig notes. The palate was quite full and rounded, with more cherry fruit, plum over some quite attractive tannins. Finish was reasonably lengthy. Not the best I have tried from the region, but a nice, balanced example.
50+4+13+17+7 = 90/100

Glorioso Gran Reserva Rioja 1999

After trying their normal and reserva, thought I would try their Gran Reserva. After some decanting the bouquet was still relatively locked, showing soft blackberries, raspberry, vanilla and a little spice. On the palate it was fairly unfocused, with muddy fruit over some lack-luster tannins. The finish was uninspired making for a pretty boring wine. Definitely not as generous as the Reserva and the base wine. Overall quite disappointing and overpriced at $50.
50+4+12+15+6 = 87/100

Ceravolo Sangiovese 2006

For a mid-week pasta, the shop assistant recommended this Sangiovese from the Adelaide Plains. On the bouquet a pleasant array of cherry, raspberry, violets and a little spice. The palate was mid-bodied with some very nice fruit and soft tannins. Finish was savoury and dry. Overall quite a good example, and made for a very food friendly wine.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Portone Pinot Grigio Pink 2006

Always keen to try wines from Portone, as they are usually quite a bargain. A light pink blush in colour, the bouquet showed strawberries, redcurrant, fizzy peach and some citrus. On the palate it was very fresh, with some nice fruit, balanced acidity and soft dry finish. Not a lot of depth or complexity but nonetheless very drinkable. Again another very good value wine at around $10.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100