Castello di Gabbiano Pinot Grigio 2007

Back home and at my local saw this Italian Pinot Grigio in the fridge. Opened to quite a fresh and fruity bouquet of green pear, spices, florals and a touch of honey. On the palate it was quite light, but balanced acidity, generous fruit and a crisp dry finish. Overall a light and pleasing wine which would do well with seafood, cream dishes or just as an aperitif.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Brands Laira Patron Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Home from our wonderful holiday, I went out to dinner with my good friend Mark, and got this as he is a big fan of classic Coonawarra Cab Savs. Opened to a big bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, cedar, coffee, chocolate, earth and some vanilla. On the palate it was quite big and deep, with loads of berry fruits over some nicely controlled oak and fine almost stringy tannins. It did soften down over dinner, but really deserves more time in the bottle or a big decant to reveal its complexity.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Les Tourelles de Longueville Paulliac 2003

To follow our Burgundy, I asked for a Bordeaux and Master recommended a Paulliac. Under cork, it opened to an attractive bouquet of berries, raspberry compote, cherry, spice and a tiny portion of oak. On the palate it was very well rounded and smooth, with some nice minerals and polished tannins. The finish was soft and lingering. Probably needs more time to develop but very refined and enjoyable none the less.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Domaine Arlaud Morey-St-Denis 2004

After dinner we proceeded to a wine bar close by in Jiyugaoka. the bar Master suggested first off we try this burgundy, which opened to quite a tight but opening bouquet of berries and bramble, forest floor, mushroom and spice. On the palate it was tight initially, but did open slowly to show some lovely fruit-tannin interaction, and had a lovely mineral streak. Finished tight, smooth and dry. Not a bad start.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Louis Latour Chardonnay d'Ardèche 2006

A thai dinner in Jiyugaoka with Brent and Deb, we drank 2 bottles of this Chardonnay from Ardèche. On the bouquet were aromas of melon, peach, honey, nuts, cream and mint. The palate was very tight and focused, with rich dried fruits and a lovely tight and dry finish. Overall this was excellent chardonnay, and shall be seeking it out again.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc Pessac-Léognan 2004

One of the whites we took to Brent's house in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo. Opened to a refined boquet of lemon pith, florals, cream, wax, twig and soft oak. On the palate it was very round yet taut, with good weight and a lovely dry mineral finish. Quite a notch up on a previous vintage I had quite some time ago. Very nice.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Livio Felluga Terre Alte Rosazzo Bianco 2003

The night before my birthday, and we ordered this wine at dinner in Milan. From Colli Orientali del Friuli and made from a blend of Tocai Friulano, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon Blanc the wine held a very fine bouquet of white fruits, tropical notes, citrus, almonds, florals and some spicy oak. On the palate it was superbly balanced, tight and long, with superb mouthfeel and wonderfully soft and dry finish. I think this has to be one of the best Italian white wines I have ever tasted. Superb.
50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

S.E.R.V.E. Vinul Cavalerului Riesling Sec 2007

Dinner at the Stag Inn in Sighisoara, we got a bottle of this riesling from Ceptura. Opened to a nice bouquet of apricots, citrus, peach and minerals. On the palate it was fairly well bodied, with clean fruits over some more minerals. Overall not a bad example, but did lack a little depth and character.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2000

On the same night in Arad, back at our hotel decided to open this Rioja as a nightcap. Made from 87% Tempranillo and 13% Mazuelo the bouquet revealed aromas of ripe berries, spice, leather, oak, nuts, mushroom and earth. The palate was initially leathery and sinewy but did settle over time to show a deep, integrated and balanced palate. Tannins did settle and finish was very dry. This was quite a serious and old fashioned Rioja, and only wished I had the means to decant it properly.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Cotnari Grasa de Cotnari 2005

First wine at dinner on our first night in Arad, Romania. A demi dulce wine from Moldavia, it showed aromas of sweet pears, honey, almonds and some florals. On the palate again relatively rich fruits with some sweetness, but not too much. Finished soft and slightly dry. Overall not a bad semi-sweet wine, which was quite easy drinking.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Conde de Caralt Brut Cava NV

First Cava in Spain, picked this up at the supermarket near the Ramblas de Raval. Opened to a very generous bouquet of peach, sherbert, honey, toast and musk. On the palate beading was long and smooth, with clean fruits, balanced acidity and soft easy finish. Good length and flavour. One of the best Cava's I have had to date.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

L'Olivera Blanc de Seré 2006

At dinner in Barcelona, we managed to partake in 2 bottles of this white wine from the Costers del Segre region. Made from a blend of macabeo, parellada and chardonnay, it showed a very pleasant bouquet of citrus, apple, grapefruit and a little herbs. On the palate it was very well balanced, with relatively deep palate and superb morish dry soft finish. Matched our fantastic black cuttlefish paella perfectly.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Pazo Barrantes Albariño 2006

One of the wines to accompany our seafood misto in Barcelona, this white from Rías Baixas opened to aromas of dried herbs, flowers, apple and a little spice. On the palate it was well balanced but did lack tautness. Finished a little flabby but dry. Quite acceptable but not memorable.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Senorio de Sarria 'Vinedo No. 5' Rosado 2007

A rose we got in Barcelona, this one from Valdizarbe, Navarra. Opened to a lively bouquet of strawberries, raspberries, floral notes and a little cream. On the palate more berry flavours, crisp acidity and dry smooth finish. All up quite an enjoyable and well made rose.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

El Coto Rioja Blanco 2007

Not having the white version of this Rioja we were keen to try it, and grabbed a bottle in the supermarket in Barcelona. Opened to some nice aromas of white fruits, peach, floral notes and herbs. On the palate it was was well balanced but a tad flabby in structure. Length was decent and finish soft and a little lingering. Overall quite a nice dry white, but just a bit lazy.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100