Domaine Vincent Bouzereau Meursault 1Er Cru Les Charmes 2005

Post Christmas and still working through our xmas case, I opened this white Burgundy for our aperitif. The bouquet showed quite focused notes of citrus, acacia, green pair and spice. On the palate it was very linear, with robust acidity, nice minerals and rich but locked juice. Finish was quite long and dry, with a slight heat. Overall I felt this was too young to be drinking now, but structurally I think could cellar for quite some time.

50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Mauro Molino Gallinotto Barolo 2003

Feeling generous I opened another red for Christmas lunch, this one from Barolo. Opened to an array of cherries, raspberry, cranberry, plum, minerals, oak and spices. On the palate it seemed quite lean in body, but did deepen out. Very nice balance of sweet and savoury flavours, finishing very smooth and relatively long. Overall quite a delicious wine which did well with our morrocan lamb. Again our guests were pleased.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Geantet-Pansiot Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Poissenot 1995

Was quite excited to try this Burgundy for our Christmas lunch, so decanted for 4hrs and waited. To my great dissapointment the wine seemed cooked, showing not much more than sour grape juice and really nothing else. But not to worry, I just moved on to a Bordeux. Shame but these things happen.

NO RATING.

Château Armens Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2000

This Bordeaux was our backup for Christmas lunch and thank god it was as the Gevery-Chambertin was un-drinkable. On the bouquet were aromas of cherries, plum, mineral, cedar, coffee and a touch of spice. The palate was mid-bodied and quite soft and rounded, with rich fruit over some plush-ish tannins. Finish was round and long and quite moreish, which did please our guests.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Alphonse Mellot Domaine La Moussière Sancerre 2006

I served this Sauvignon Blanc after our Champagne at our Christmas lunch. The bouquet was quite reserved but did slowly reveal aromas of green apple, slate and flint, lemon and flowers. On the palate it had a very elegant and lean structure, with more lovely minerals with muted fruits underneath. Overall very successful with my guests, and did match our cheeses, particulary the Bouche Blanc goats cheese.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Henry Pelle Clos des Blanchais Menetou-Salon Morogues 2006

Christmas eve and for our aperitif we opened this Sav Blanc from Menetou-Salon. A single vineyard wine, the boquet showed slate, citrus oil, pineapple and some flowers. On the palate it was well textured, fatter than a standard Sancerre but still lean and controlled. Length was good and finish rich and dry. Overall quite an interesting and unique SB.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Château d'Agassac Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2001

Christmas closer and the night before we opened this Haut-Medoc. On the bouquet were aromas of stewed plum, licorice, coffee, minerals and a touch of mint. On the palate it was quite rich and rounded, with some soft tannins and mineral. Finish was quite soft and peppery. Overall a nice well rounded Haut-Medoc.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Denis Pommier Cuvee Vieilles Vignes Chablis 2006

This was one of our christmas Chablis, and was looking forward to it. Opened to aromas of melon, grapefruit, nuts, twig and some slight honeyed notes. On the palate it was quite tight and focused, with tight acidity and slightly bitter fruit. Some nice minerality too, it finished very tight and lean. I feel it may need time to develop and broaden out a little. Still quite good.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Bruno Giacosa Barbera D'Alba 2006

Leading into christmas I picked up this Italian wine from Alba in the Piedmont. Opened to a lovely array of raisons, cedar, cherries, licorice, herbs and floral notes. On the palate it was very well balanced with soft tannins, mineral and savoury herbs. Finished quite long and dry. Very well suited as a table wine or to drink for itself.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Allegrini Valpolicella 2007

As Deb does like this variety, I picked up this Valpolicella as part of our xmas case. Opened to aromas of cherry, raspberry, herbs and a touch of amaretto. On the palate it was well balanced, smooth with a nice savoury finish with some balsamic notes. Overall quite enjoyable red, which would work well with most foods.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Chateau Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac 2001

Continuing our special Christmas dinner, we ordered this 2nd Growth Bordeaux, the last on premises according to our sommelier. The bouquet showed still quite a young, yet complex wine with aromas of blackcurrant, blueberries, cream, vanilla, cedar, leather, mushroom and a touch of pepper. On the palate berry fruit over some lovely minerals, coffee, more oak/cedar and some keen tannins. Very complex and intelligent wine, yet still quite young and developing. Probably needs another 10 years or so but still very enjoyable now. Great length. Complex stuff and certainly worth a 2nd growth Bordeaux. Merry Christmas my darling Prue!
50+4+14+18+9= 95/100

Yves Cuilleron Condrieu La Petite Côte 2006

At a very special Christmas dinner at Becasse with my friend Prue, we innocently ordered a bottle of this Condrieu, on recommendation by our sommelier. On the bouquet were lovely aromas of peach, dried mango, apricot, fennel and minerals. On the palate it showed beautiful acidity, a light oily texture, rich but reserved fruit and long and lingering finish. Overall a delightfully balanced and intelligent Viognier, which made for quite elegant drinking. Quite superb.
50+4+13+18+9=94/100

Bass Phillip Chardonnay 2007

The assistant at the store assured me this was quite a good chardonnay from Bass Phillip, who are known more for their excellent pinot noirs. Opened to a pleasant array of melon, lees, hazelnut and mineral. The palate was finely tuned with taught acidity and again tight fruit. Very Burgundinian in style it seemed a touch youthful, and may develop somewhat with age. Still very elegant.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Henschke Julius Riesling 2007

I wanted to try a Henschke white as I don't remember having one for a very long time. This riesling from the Eden Valley displayed a fairly big and classic bouquet with lime juice, orange sherbert, bitumun, spice and florals. On the palate it showed some powerful and balanced acidity, with good depth and lingering finish. Overall quite impressive riesling which no doubt would cellar well.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Petersons Back Block Shiraz 2005

Again liked the label of this shiraz from the Hunter Valley NSW. Opened to a rather heady bouquet of red and black cherries, pepper, spice, oak and some earthy tones. On the palate it was quite rich, with alcohol just under control. Fruits were quite rich and rounded, finishing quite big. All up quite a well made shiraz, just short of becoming a big fruit bomb.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Petersons Broke Fordwich Semillon 2005

Liked the label of this Semillon so took a gamble. Opened to a nice array of lemon, lime, some tropical fruit, honey and soft wax. On the palate acidity was falling away, leaving quite a soft and easy palate. Decent length and finish. Still quite lovely drinking.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100