Michel Laroche Petit Chablis 2006

Some Chablis for our aperitifs, this one from Michel Laroche, a fifth generation wine maker from Chablis. Opened to a mild bouquet of lemon, mint, camomile and a touch of ginger. On the palate it was well balanced with juicy sourish fruits dominant, with some light minerals underneath. Finish was reasonably long and dry. Overall a fairly mediocre Petit Chablis, and at $35 I think a bit overpriced.
50+4+12+16+6 = 88/100

Leo Buring Leonay DWL17 High Eden Valley Riesling 2008

On to dinner and I picked this Riesling, as I hadn't had a bottle for quite a while. The bouquet was dominated by zesty citrus, green apple and pineapple notes, with slight secondary aromas of mandarin and sherbert. The palate was very fresh, with C02 evident, racy acidity and lots of crunchy green apple and citrus fruit and minerals. The finish was quite lengthy and dry. I think this wine is too young for drinking just now, but in a few years will settle to become very interesting I think.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2008

At the pub we ordered a bottle of this SB with our dips and bread. On the bouquet it showed some muted tropical fruits, such as pears and pineapple, a little grass as well. On the palate it was quite clean and crisp, with good balance on all counts. Finished quite dry and soft. Overall very well made but somehow lacked character. A little too discrete and shy for me.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Michele Castellani Valpolicella Classico Superiore I Castei Costamaran Ripasso 2004

With our pizza dinner I opened a bottle of this Valpolicella which pleased Deborah. Initially the wine was rude and a touch volatile, but did slowly settle down and showed aromas of stewed plum, morello cherries, leather, almonds, vanilla and some soft game notes. The palate was quite rich and deep, with some nice soft fruits over quite smooth and dense tannins. The wine did keep refining down and showed considerable finesse towards our final glasses. Overall a very nice, denser style of Valpolicella. Decanting definitely recommended.
50+44+13+17+8 = 92/100

Chemin des Papes Côtes du Rhône 2007

I hadn't had this wine for some time, about 3 years ago I think, so was eager to try the latest vintage. Opened to a nice boquet of spicy red cherries and oak. On the palate it was mid to light in body, with cherry fruit over some quite pronounced and rustic tannins. Finished quite dry and tight. Overall a straight forward and moreish CDR, which is a bargain at under $10.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Carpineto Dogajolo Toscano IGT 2007

Grabbed this from Liquorland near my new workplace, who seem to stock a number of cheap imports. Made from 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, it opened to aromas of black cherries, blackberries, raspberry, coffee, hay, cedar and spice. The palate was firm and mid-bodied with some nice controlled oak, and spicy savoury fruit characters. Slightly ruff tannins and a good dry finish made this wine quite enjoyable and good with food.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100