Chateau Chauvin 2003

I think I am getting close to finishing my Bordeaux run, as summer approaches. This particular wine originates from Saint-Emilion, adjacent to the vineyards of Cheval Blanc. Opened to aromas of blackberries, compote, violets, licorice, graphite, smoke and vanillan. On the palate it was very well balanced, mid weighted and solid, etheral almost with some nice minerals underneath. Tannins worked softly in the background, never intruding. Overall this is a lovely wine, quite feminine in its style and quite beautiful.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Bannockburn Geelong Chardonnay 2005

Its been some time since I had a Chardonnay from this maker, and from memory it was quite a ripe bottle. But keen to try it out again. Aromas of nuts, vanilla, custard, butterscotch, marzipan, oak and some spice. On the palate it was quite balanced with sweet fruit tight over oak, good body and tight dry finish. Stylistically this leans towards a sweet and oaky style, but I quite like such a style from time to time, even more so these days when a lot of Australian Chardonnays follow the Burgundian style, which is a decision becoming dangerously boring.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino 2003

My interest in Italian reds continue. This wine made from Sangiovese showed aromas of cherries, raspberries, licorice, oak, some earth and leaf. On the palate fruit was quite extracted, tannins keen and some nice minerals underneath. Structurally it was sound, although at times it did become broad, but mostly focused. Quite a serious red, a bit backward and could do with further cellaring. A touch pricey.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Mountadam Eden Valley Riesling 2007

The first time for a Riesling from Mountadam, it opened to aromas of lime, lemon, florals, sherbet and some spice. On the palate it was balanced with solid juice, focused acid and good weight and length. Quite a delicious and well crafted reisling.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Poggiotondo Toscana Rosso 2006

Some cheapish Italian red for dinner, this wine opened to aromas of cherries, blueberries, rose petals, amarone, spice and musk. The palate was initially thin and racy, but did settle into a medium bodied wine with bright fruits over some decent tannins. Overall a well made table wine.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Telmo Rodriguez Almuvedre 2008

A new vintage of the Spanish wine I had a few weeks ago. Again the bouquet was awash with berries, cherries, coffee, warm earth and spices. The palate was a little younger and a tad hot but just in check. Again nice generous fruit and tannins make this a very pleasing wine, although may need a year or two to settle further.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Les Pagodes de Cos 2001

Strawberries and Bordeux, this one being the 2nd wine from Château Cos d'Estournel. Opened to aromas of strawberries, blackberries, leather, cedar, vanilla, smoke, tar and a touch of spice. The palate seemed structuraly sound, with dry tannins, good acidity and decent weight. Quite a solid and reliable wine, which drank well, yet somehow was a touch dull.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Chateau Joanin-Bécot 2003

After dinner we partook in this Bordeaux from Côtes de Castillon. Initially it showed quite pronounced aromas of fruit cake, chocolate and sweet sherry. On the palate again initially quite sweet and sherry like, almost hot, but tannins did kick in to settle and dry the wine, and with the help of some strawberries, it became quite smooth, dry and creamy towards the end of the bottle. Not deep in structure but taught enough with good decanting. Very fruit focused but still pleasant.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Tamellini Soave DOC 2007

Friday finally, and for our aperitifs we partook in this Soave of Veneto. The bouquet was pleasantly perfumed with aromas of soft flowers, talc, musk, vanilla, apple and sherbet notes. The palate was again soft, but balanced with a bitter almond finish. Overall quite delicate and simple, but not weak. Very nice.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Château Poujeaux 2003

For dinner I opened this Bordeaux, from Moulis-en-Médoc. Initially the nose was closed, but did slowly open to show black currant, coffee, game, rose petals, oak and some spices. On the palate it was quite smooth and integrated, and at times airy, with very soft tannins and slightly faded fruits. Overall quite pleasant but somehow lacked or hid any weight it may have had. Still I did enjoy drinking this wine.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Chateau Phélan-Ségur St Estèphe 2003

Apparently one of the better vintages from this Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in St Estèphe. Opened to some nice aromatics of berries, raisins, meat, smoke, rose petals and some green foliage. The palate showed a good rounded fruit extract, with softening tannins, balanced acidity and a slightly faded structure, lending at times a somewhat airy mouth feel. Overall quite a delightful wine, but not sure if it has a lot of time left.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Lo Zoccolaio Dolcetto d'Alba DOCG Vigna dij Sagrin 2007

Exploring more Italian reds I choose this wine from the commune of Barolo. Opened to aromas of red berries, plum, violets and a touch of spice. The palate was relatively thin, with fresh acid and greenish tannins. The palate weight didn't increase which was a little dissapointing, and it did finish thin and dry. Overall a little too thin and underdeveloped.
50+4+12+16+6 = 88/100

Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico 2006

Some Chianti for our Chicken Chianti dinner. Opened to quite a bright bouquet of blackberries, raspberries, amarone, oak and some spice. On the palate acidity was pronounced, with juicy red fruits over some softish tannins and minerals. Finish was lean and dry, and a touch chewy. Overall not a bad wine, and may settle further with some cellaring.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Santa Margherita Prosecco Colli Trevigiani IGT

Being fond of their Pinot Grigios, I decided to try one of their Prosecco wines. The bouquet was quite light with florals, sherbet, citrus and some sweet musk. On the palate the beading was quite light and reasonably persistent. It seemed well balanced and quite dry with just a little sweetness. Quite a fresh and fun light wine which is easy drinking.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Pierre Naigeon Clos Pierre Chardonnay 2007

Another wine from French winemaker Pierre Naigeon, this time a chardonnay from the Yarra Valley Victoria. Opened to show aromas of melon, citrus, nuts and some barrel notes. The palate was relatively simple but very well balanced with a well poised finish. A very well made basic chardonnay, leaning towards a French style.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Réserve de la Comtesse 2001

After our Mosel I opened this Bordeaux, the 2nd wine of Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. Initially quite bright and perfumed, the bouquet showed cassis, plum, milk chocolate, violets, currants, sandalwood and some pepper. The palate possessed some lovely soft tannins, which were initially quite dry but did soften, and coated the front and mid palate very nicely. At some stages the fruit did drop away, but overall did hold up enough. Really quite an elegant and feminine wine, and while lacking a bit of depth and structure, it was very nice drinking.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Egon Müller Scharzhof Riesling 2007

Was pleased to find an entry level Egon Müller Mosel, which we had before dinner. Quite pale in colour, the nose showed very clean and pure citrus, peach, pear, minerals and a little musk. The palate was too very clean and precise, with a good dose of acidity, nice minerals and mildly off-dry finish. A very nice Mosel which should improve with further cellaring.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100