Château L'Escart Cuvée de L'Eden Bordeaux Supérieur 2005

This Bordeux Supérieur from St Loubes, Gironde, is made from Merlot, Cab Sav and Cab Franc showed fresh aromas of red fruits, raspberry, blackberries, oak, smoke and some spice and vanilla. On the palate acids were a little racy, and tannins a touch green, with some decent fruits and minerals underneath. It did seem a little green and possibly could settle somewhat with some cellaring. Overall quite a decent effort.
50+4+12+16+7= 89/100

Telmo Rodriguez Dehesa Gago 2008

An unusual import, this 100% Tempranillo from the Toro region of Spain opened to big aromas of cherries, raspberry, licorice, cola, baked earth and some spice. On the palate it was quite fruit driven, held just in check by firm tannins and a good line of acidity. Did seem a touch green and lacking a little depth, but could develop further with age. Overall quite a generous red, which was quite moreish and would be popular with most drinkers. Nice contemporary packaging too.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Château Paul Mas Clos des Mûres 2007

With a the managers recommendation, I chose this Syrah Grenache Cuvee from AC Coteaux du Languedoc. Contained in a very hefty bottle, it opened slowly to reveal aromas of rich plum, ripe red apple, lavender, herbs, earth, spice and pepper. On the palate initially fruits were dominant, but did settle down to integrate with soft ripe chalky tannins and oak. Finished quite bright and dry. Overall I was quite taken with this wine, which initially seemed a bit of a fruit bomb, but with a good airing settles down to a slightly rustic but controlled red. Very nice.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Pierre Bonnet La Plancheliere Cabernet d'Anjou 2007

Was pleased to find an Anjou rose as they seem to be a bit thin on the ground recently. Opened to a light bouquet of strawberry, cranberry, mint and some cream notes. On the palate it was relatively thin, with good acidity, bright fruits and wet stones. Was quite similar to Cabernet D'Anjou Reserve Des Vignerons but with less complexity. Still quite a simple and enjoyable rose, and good value at $9.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Hubert Brochard Sancerre 2007

Keeping faith in my love for Sancerre wines, I found this quite cheap example. Opened to aromas of citrus, white flowers, flint and herbs. On the palate it was clean, balanced, fresh with some nice minerality. But that's sort of where it ended, making for a rather dull and thin wine. Certainly more effort could have been afforded with such an appellation. Not a good example.
50+4+12+15+6 = 87/100

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico DOCG 2005

Continuing my current interest in Chianti, and Italian red wines in general, I was interested to try another from Ruffino. On the bouquet were aromas of sweet cherries, red berry fruits, rose petals oak and pepper. On the palate it was quite ripe, with a good streak of acidity. Tannins again were fairly ripe and oak quite evident. The palate did seem a touch split, and a little insipid. Overall not an inspiring wine, and could have been crafted with more care. Value wise this loses out to the better made and more approachable Chianti Ruffino.
50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100

Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Was pleased to see the new vintage of this wine, and under an elegant new label. Opened to a wonderful bouquet of citrus, pineapple, muted passion fruit, vanilla, nuts and herbs. On the palate it was highly toned with restrained viscous fruit over clean minerals. Oak was evident but distant and underplayed. Finish was clean and balanced, with a slight savoury edge. Again a beautifully made wine, which at times resembled a funky chardonnay or weighty Sancerre. This one a touch fruitier and sweeter than past vintages but still excellent.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Domäne Wachau Federspiel Terrassen Riesling 2007

Initially after a German Riesling, I did end up settling on this Austrian instead. Opened to reveal aromas of peach, pear, apricot and some florals. The palate was quite clean with more white fruits and lemon notes over some chalk-ish minerals. Well balanced it finished clean and dry. Overall this was quite an elegant wine, but somehow lacked charm or even charisma. Not bad though for $26.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Riserva 2001

With my interest in Italian reds still active, I was keen to try this Montepulciano. Opened to lovely aromas of red berries, morello cherries, violets, vanilla, licorice, cedar and some savory herbal notes. On the palate it was awash with plums and cherries over softening tannins. Finish was quite dry and savoury. Overall a lovely generous wine with good structure and style. Very nice and a bargain at around $34.
50+4+14+17+8 = 93/100

Peregrine Pinot Gris 2007

Fancied a pinot gris and went for this wine from Central Otago. Good expressive boquet of pear, peach, quince, mango, florals and some spice. On the palate it showed a weighty texture of rich fruits and minerals, with a touch of sweetness. Finished quite dry and long. Overall quite a generous and well proportioned pinot gris, which would suit some asian dishes or even goats cheese and dried fruits. Quite user friendly too.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 2005

Never having tried Hardy's flagship white, and being reduced by 30% it was time to do just that. On the boquet were aromas of peach, pear, melon, some cream, spice and a touch of oak. The palate was quite fine, with equal measures of wax, citrus, cream, oil, fruit and a touch of oak. Good length and decent finish. All up nothing really piqued my intrest with this well balanced (maybe too well balanced) wine. Unfortuanately I found it a little boring.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Chateau Lamothe Vincent 2007

To open our Bordeux tasting we started with a Blanc Bordeaux from Montignac. Opened to aromas of peach, lemon, wax, apricot and minerals. On the palate it was quite linear and focused, with waxy lemon citrus flavours dominant. Very clean, focused, rounded and slightly austere, this was my favourite among the white Bordeauxs. Overall quite an attractive and elegant white wine. A good start.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Chateau De Sours Bordeaux Rose 2007

Number 2 in the line up, this rose of which I have had a previous vintage, is made from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and opened to aromas of red berry fruits, bubblegum, strawberries, cream and a touch of mint. On the palate it was quite fresh, with clean fruits, balanced and refreshing acidity and a soft and dry finish. Overall still quite a delightful rose, even though we drank it cold in the winter air.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Chateau Tour de Mirambeau Bordeaux Blanc 2005

Wine 3, this time a blanc, of which I have reviewed previously. Its was still the same wine as my earlier review, which was as follows: This Sauvignon Blanc sourced from vineyards in the Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux, held a soft but generous bouquet of pineapple, mint, grapefruit with hints of grass and a smidgeon of passionfruit. On the palate it was quite supple, with fruit and grass, tight oak and a very dry finish. Lacked a little dimension, but overall a nice treatment of SB, making a nice summer white. Voted the most popular white wine.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Tahbilk Cabernet Franc 2008

The first and only non-French wine to be tasted, number 4 opened to an attractive array of raspberry, mulberry, tobacco, mint, vanilla and some dusty leaf characters. On the palate it was quite weighty with rich fruit, soft furry tannins and quite a drying and savory finish. This was very nice out of the bottle, and while it was quite fruit driven, it didn't become overly so. Good structure and weight. Very pleasurable and good value.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Chateau D'Aurilhac Haut Medoc 2005 - WINNER

Number 5, and the first Bordeaux Rouge proper. On the nose were weighty aromas of cassis, mint, herbs, balsamic and oak. On the palate it was quite meaty and masculine, with fleshy fruits giving way to grippy and drying tannins, which really open the palate up for more. Overall this was quite a notable wine with all tasters, and at around $40 a very good value Bordeaux. For the red component this was the winner.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Chateau Margaux Pavillion Rouge 2001

Wine number 6, and the 2nd wine of Chateau Margaux. On the bouquet were evolving notes of black cherries, cassis, tar, cola, toffee, currants, oak and some licorice. On the palate it was superbly supple and smooth, almost feminine. Underneath it hinted at a good structure. Finished very smooth and balanced. Overall a truly elegant, if somewhat restrained wine. Quite excellent I thought.
50+4+14+18+7 = 93/100

Château Haut-Beausejour Saint-Estephe 2004

The 7th and 2nd last wine in our tasting. Made from a Blend of 52% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Côt, it opened initially to minimal aromas but after an hour or so opened up to show red and black berries, earth, cedar and some spices. On the palate initially quite thin and raspy, but with aeration it firmed up to show muscular fruit, a good dose of oak, chewey savoury tannins and a nice drying finish. This was an interesting wine for me, with good structure. Just needs time in the decanter or cellar to express.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Chateau Brane-Cantenac 2005

The last wine in our Bordeaux tasting, and being a 2nd growth GCC. After a good 3 hours of decanting, the bouquet showed a fairly pure array of cassis, cherry nougat, pepper, oak and some spice. The palate was again quite pure, lots of deep fruit and well restrained. Structurally it was fruit centred, with oak barely evident, and at times a little vague. Overall quite pleasurable despite its youth, but structurally lacking in tannins. A bit too fruit centred for me.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Ruffino Aziano Chianti Classico DOCG 2006

After enjoying another Ruffino Chianti, was keen to try this Classico. Opened to a sweet bouquet of morello cherries, red fruits, violets, rose petals and soft spice. The palate was quite concentrated, with reductive fruit over soft but dry tannins. Sweetness was well balanced with savoury notes and some oak. All in all quite a nice effort, but somehow feel the basic Chianti shows more value. Decanting recommended.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Carpineto Chianti Castaldo 2006

Something Italian and cheap, well cheapish. This wine around $14 opened to aromas of cherry, rose petals, amaretto and some minerals. On the palate it was initially quite thin and sharp, however over an hour or so in the decanter, it did soften somewhat to show a respectable balance and savoury but light finish. Overall not bad but certainly not the best Chianti at this price. Ruffino is a much better wine. Nice label though.
50+4+12+16+6 = 88/100

Domaine Pontifical Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006

Was keen to try this quite cheap Chateauneuf, in the hope of finding a bargain. On the nose it slowly opened to reveal raspberries, cherry, herbs, earth and some sweet musk. The palate also slowly developed to show quite rich and almost confected fruits, dry tannins and some oak. Structurally it was disappointing and almost split, with alcohol appearing from time to time, showing brandy or cognac flavours, making it rather insipid. Overall this was Chateauneuf, but in a lazy and cheap way. Shame as the price was quite attractive at $42.
50+4+12+14+6 = 86/100

Telmo Rodriguez Basa Rueda Blanco 2007

Having had a previous vintage of this wine, was keen to try the latest. On the bouquet were some nice aromas of apples, pear, citrus, flowers, vanilla and musk. On the palate it was quite refined, with nice fruit over minerals. Finish was smooth, dry and well balanced. Compared to the 2005 I had a while back it seems a lot lighter and almost feminine. Still lovely drinking.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Brokenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot 2006

With our Bordeaux tasting approaching, I was curious to try an Australian style. Opened to aromas of cassis, blackberry, tobacco, cab leaf, twig, olive and cedar. On the palate it was well balanced, with some sweet fruit over savoury tannins. Alcohol was just under control, and structurally it was a little weak, but overall quite a well made and generous blend. Would suit steak or lamb dishes.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Chateau la Coustarelle 2004

It's been a while since I had a Cahors, the last being a Chateau du Cedre, which were quite decent and interesting wines. Anyway this particular wine is a blend of 90% Malbec and 10% Tannat, and opened to a fairly locked bouquet, but did slowly reveal subdued aromas of blueberry, cream, vanilla and feint pepper. On the palate it was quite dense, with creamy pureed fruit over modest tannins. Structurally it was relatively loose, almost unfocused at times, however it did develop quite slowly. Overall quite an interesting example, but unlike the Chateau du Cedre it lacked structure. Recommend a big decant and slow consumption.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Domaine Rieflé Côte de Rouffach Riesling 2005

Time for something Alsatian, this riesling from their "Festive Pleasures" range showed aromas of lemon, minerals, petrol and white flowers. On the palate it was quite racy with robust acidity, more minerals and citrus dominant. Finished quite dry and very clean. Overall quite a focused and linear riesling, which would suit fish or shellfish with cream sauces.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100