Roda Rioja Reserva 2003

Was pleased to come across a bottle of this Rioja in El Corte Iglese, Granada. Opened to a big and complex bouquet of plum, blackcurrant, raspberry, licorice, mocca, oak and some vanilla. On the palate it was rich and deep, with ripe fruits, minerals, oak and silky tannins. The wine slowly developed over time in the glass and definitely deserves a big decant. Overall great rioja, and very keen to try others in their range.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Bodegas Peñascal Vino de Aguja Blanco NV

I had initially picked up a half bottle of this NV white wine, which I believe is mixed with mineral water, to form I guess a sort of a wine spritzer. After using a bit in the cooking, I tasted some and was surprised how nice it was to drink. There was a bit of sweetness on the palate but as a drink it was very light and refreshing. We did see a rose version but didn't get around to buying some, but did buy some more of the Blanco which makes for a very cheap and nice aperitif.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Marques de Riscal Limousin 2004

Was please to try this white from Marques de Riscal, as I do love their standard Rioja so much. From Rueda and made from 100% Verdejo, the wine displayed aromas of peach, melon, pear, herbs and vanilla. On the palate it was well balanced, with some nice oak, dried fruits and nice mouthfeel. Good length and depth and finished dry and crisp. Overall a very nice treatment, and would suit shellfish and fish dishes very well.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Fontedei cortijo del conchoso Blanco 2007

At a wine shop in Granada, the proprietor tentatively recommended I try a local Granadan wine. Opened to quite a muddy bouquet of melon, citrus, florals and slight sewerage. The palate was again flat and listless, with lazy sour fruits, slight acid and watery body. Somehow there was again a sewerage component, which may be attributed to the Granadan water used in making the wine. Quite a disturbing lack of quality which is a shame, as I would like to think there are much better wines to be had from Granada.
50+4+9+10+5 = 78/100

GrupoYllera Yllera Crianza 2003

Picked up this 100% Tempranillo from Tierra de Castilla y León in the Albaicin supermarket. Opened to quite a rich and expressive bouquet of cherries, raspberry, spice, chocolate, coffee, mint and vanilla. On the palate it was ripe and rounded, with rich fruit over some soft oak and tannins. Overall quite a juicy and very enjoyable red.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Solar de la Vega 2007

A cheap white from the supermarket in the Albaicin. Opened to quite a fruity bouquet of tropical fruits, musk and some herbs. On the palate it was a little split, with residual sugar showing. Acidity was balanced and finish acceptable. Overall a bit of a fun drinking and not much more. But still we put it away fairly quickly.
50+4+11+16+7 = 88/100

Pazo de Señorans Albariño 2007

Deb picked this white up in a great wine shop in Madrid, close to Plaza Mayor. Opened to quite a fresh bouquet of pear, almonds, flowers, herbs and mineral. The palate mirrored the bouquet with fresh fruit, crisp and balanced acidity and a lovely mineral dry, dry finish. Overall a very fine and enjoyable white, which would definitely work well with most seafood.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Contino Rioja Reserva 2004

Next my first Rioja while in Spain, and picked this bottle up in a merchant near Plaza Mayor. Opened to a big boquet of leather, violets, raspberries, plum, cedar and vanilla. On the palate it showed quite a lean and sinewy texture, which slowly softened over time. Dry yet softening tannins did wrap the fruits nicely, and finish quite long and delicious. Overall slightly old fashioned, but very drinkable and could do with further cellaring.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Campalar DO Cigales Rosado 2007

I think Greg picked up this rose for dinner one night in Madrid. Showed light aromas of red berries, spice, cream and a little herb. Quite soft and smooth on the palate, and finished dry yet a little thin. Overall not a bad rose, and quite cheap as well.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Príncipe De Viana Rosado Garnacha 2007

Our 3rd night in Madrid and had this rose from Navarra with our tapas outdoors. Opened to light and playful aromas of red berries, spices, cream and some nuts. On the palate it was well balanced and easy drinking, with a good soft finish. Quite a good valued example of a Navarran rose.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Mountadam Eden Valley Pinot Noir 2002

We had not had this wine for many years, and were sad to see in the discount bin, so grabbed a bottle. Opened to a funky bouquet of cherry, caramel, pine needles, sap and some soft sweet musk. On the palate it was quite well balanced, mid weighted and relatively long. There were some nice flavours happening and finish was soft and dry. All up quite a delightful pinot, and for $26 very good value.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Shaw & Smith M3 Chardonnay 2007

Some nice chardonnay before we head off to Spain. Opened to a very refined bouquet of peach, nectarine, vanilla, cinnamon and cream. On the palate again very refined, with a slight sweet slippery texture, nice minerality and very smooth dry finish. Overall very very refined Chardonnay, but for me lacked a little edge. But still you will not be disappointed.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

De Bortoli Noble One 2006

More generosity, this time from Yana. Quite pale golden in colour, it opened to quite a citrus based boquet, with fresh orange peel dominant. The palate again was clean and a tad underdeveloped, with some nice orange, vanilla and just a touch of amonia emerging. I feel this needs some time in the bottle to develop further. But still a great sticky.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2000

My friend Mark very generously brought this along to our dinner, and was contained in a very smart gift box. The bouquet was quite clean and reserved with no yeast evident, only clean citrus, peach, pear, pez candy and a touch of cream. On the palate again it was quite lean and citrussy, with some nice minerality, good beading and soft dryish finish. Overall quite a reserved style, which seems to be their house style these days.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Chateau Le Crock Saint Estephe 2000

After several hours in the decanter, this Cru Bourgeois Bordeaux showed quite a generous bouquet of sweet red fruits, hay, mushroom, spice and vanilla. On the palate it was quite soft, with good balance and furry tannins. Acidity was there but in check. Quite easy going on the palate and would age well. Shame as I only managed a glass over the evening, but others seemed to be quite taken with it.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur Vosne-Romanée 2005

With good friends over I decided to pop this wine, which was left over from our christmas case. After a good rest in a decanter, the bouquet showed aromas of black and sour cherry, mulch, sap, caramel and light pepper characters. On the palate it was quite bright but well controlled, and did develop slowly over a few glasses. Tannins continued to smooth down showing minerals and oak. Quite a refined villages, and could go a few more years in the bottle. Very nice indeed.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Domaine Michel Bouzereau Meursault 'Les Grands Charrons' 2002

Needing a decent white for our dinner party, the assistant recommended this Burgundy from Mersault. Opened to a generous but refined melange of white pear, stick, grilled hazelnut, nougat, honeycomb and some spice. On the palate it was lean but deep in structure. Very clean fruits over some minerals, with a tight and precise dry finish. This was a very elegant chardonnay, and although lacked a little depth, was truly a clever wine and a winner with all who partook.
50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 2002

I managed to gain 2 bottles of this, my favourite Australian Semillon, for free and drank both over the weekend. Opened to a tight and relatively young bouquet of lemon cheesecake, toast, honey, vanilla and a touch of bitumen. On the palate again young, but with good balance and acids to see it cellar. Nice chalky minerality and soft finish. Probably one of the leanest vintages I have had, but still quality was high and did drink very well. Still the best semillon going around.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Hewitson Private Cellar Tempranillo 2006

Was curious about this wine, an Australian Tempranillo at $60, which seems fairly steep for the variety in this country. But anyway it opened to a very rich and heady bouquet of red berries, licorice, cream, moca and spices. On the palate it was a big and deep wine, but in balance with some lovely soft tannins, acid backbone and some minerals. Really a joy to drink now and certainly built for time. An excellent treatment of the variety.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Bannockburn Chardonnay 2005

We hadn't had this Chardonnay for quite some time, that time being unusually an overripe affair being almost brown in colour with lots of butterscotch and tobacco. But this recent vintage looked quite normal and opened to a complex bouquet of biscuit, nuts, cream, white fruits, spice and some menthol. The palate was quite refined and balanced, with some powerful fruit and oak underneath. Overall an interesting and distinctive chardonnay.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

A Coonawarra Cab Sav for dinner, it showed some very nice and classic aromas of blackberry, cab leaf, oak, chocolate and spice. On the palate it was quite deep and well structured, with black and some red fruits over some tight tannins, oak and spice. Good acidity which would give it some longevity. Very nice Coonawarra Cab sav indeed.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100