Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

It's been a while since I have had an Art Series Cab Sav, so was looking forward to this one. Opened to aromas of blackberry, plum, cassis, herbs, tobacco, minerals, spice and licorice. The palate was quite deep but restrained, with fruit and tannins nicely harmonised. Length was decent and finish a touch oaky, which I didn't mind. Overall a very stylish wine and worth it's price of around $55.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Dugat-Py Gevrey Chambertin Coeur De Roy 2006

For a special dinner with a departing work colleague, I splashed out on this Burgundy, which was served in some very large stemware. On the nose were aromas of blackberries, cherry, caramel, chocolate, earth and some spice. The palate was very well balanced with soft fruits wrapped in very svelte tannins. Overall quite light in body, but depth was there in an ethereal way. Quite a lovely burgundy, but just a little overpriced. Delicious.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Marques de Caceres Rioja Reserva 2002

We had this wine a few weeks ago at a friends dinner party, and were impressed enough to try again. On the nose were aromas of raspberries, rose petal, tobacco, coffee, mocha, earth and some spices. The palate was well balanced, although acidity seemed a little faded, but tannins and fruits were generous and well integrated. An older fashioned wine in style, but still very good. May not have much time ahead of it. Seemed better at the party??
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Château Haut-Madrac Cru Bourgeois Haut-Medoc 2006

For our Steak au Poivre dinner, I opened another $20 Bordeaux, this time a Haut-Medoc. The bouquet held aromas of blackberries, vanilla, cedar, black pepper and spices. On the palate it was quite suave, with ripe fruits over some lovely tannis. Good mouthfeel and finish. Suited our dinner very well, and did get better with airing. Great value.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Mountadam Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008

Was interested in trying a budget wine from Mountadam. Around $10 this SSB opened to pleasant aromas of passion fruit, snow pea, capsicum, citrus, tropical fruits and melon. On the palate it was a little thin, but well balanced with no problems. After a while I just found this a touch prosaic, even boring. But it is worth $10.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Quartz Reef Pinot Noir 2006

For dinner we opened this Central Otago pinot, as we were having a bit of duck. On the bouquet were some big aromas of cherries, berries, plum, sap and a little spiced peel. On the palate it was quite fleshy with good tannins, balanced acidity and lenghty finish. Only downside was just a touch of alcohol heat peaking through. Otherwise a very good effort for Otago pinot.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Gunderloch Red Stone Riesling 2007

Lately have been quite impressed with a few German rieslings. This wine from Rheinhessen showed lovely aromas of citrus, herbs, honey, nuts and smoke. The palate was off-dry with sweetness very nicely offset by sappy fruit, stony minerality and smoke flavours. A lovely riesling, and good value at $25.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Picardy Pinot Noir 2007

The only wines I have tried from this maker have been their Chardonnays, which are quite good. Interested in trying one of their reds. This pinot opened to a rich bouquet of red cherries, strawberries, some sappy notes and a little sweet spice. The palate was quite generous in fruits, with some ripe tannins and balanced acid. At times it did seem a little sweet but overall quite a stylish pinot. Not bad.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

1. Chateau de Fonsalette Blanc 2005

To start the Rhône tasting, this Cotes du Rhone made from Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Marsanne showed aromas of pineapple, melon, wax, honey, florals and some spice. On the palate quite weighty with nice structure and some stony minerals. Quite popular with everyone and I think the winner for the Blanc section.

2. Clos Petit Bellane Blanc 2005

Next white was a blend of 50% Roussane and 50% Viognier, this wine from Valréas had a demure bouquet of peach, pinapple, dried apricots, wet stone and spice. On the palate it was quite chewy and robust, bordering sometimes on becoming volitile, perhaps due to the 13.5% alcohol. Apricots and honey were dominant, and the wine finished very dry, almost with a bitter almond quality, lending it a Spanish feel. Overall not a bad wine, but could have been finer on the palate.

3. Andre Perret Chery Condrieu 2005

Blanc number 3 was from Condrieu in the Northern Rhone. Wonderful aromas of honey, peach, apricot, anise, fig, dried fruits and spices. The palate was very well structured with intense fruits over stony minerals. Great length and finish made this again quite popular with most. Lovely.

4. Paul Jaboulet Aine Cotes Du Rhone Parallele 45 2006

The first of the 11 reds. Opened to aromas of cherry, blackberry, licorice and spice. On the palate it was fairly light and forward, with more juicy sourish fruits over dryish tannins. Length was a little short but finish was satisfying enough. Overall not a bad Cotes du Rhone but certainly have had better.

5. Cuilleron Gaillard Villard Cotes du Rhone Les Cranilles 2005

Next this Grenache-Shiraz opened to black fruits, with some florals, smokey oak and white pepper. The palate was quite decent with powdery tannins, vibrant fruits and smokey finish. Not a bad wine and quite enjoyable.

6. E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde 2003

The next wine showed a slight departure and displayed aromas of cassis, kirsch, milk chocolate, espresso, bacon fat, licorice, black olives, fig and sweet musk notes. The palate was quite feminine with sweet fruits over some soft smokey oak and furry tannins. This was quite fine and a good counterpoint to the proceedings. Lovely and girly.

7. Tardieu-Laurent Les Becs Fins Cotes du Rhone 2007

Wine number seven, and back to something more masculine. Showed aromas of plum, blackberries, fruitcake, sweet musk, spice. The palate was firm and juicy, with good oak integration and chewy tannins. Quite a modern and forward Cotes du Rhone. Nice.

8. M.Chapoutier "Les Granits" Saint-Joseph 1995

Next something old. Opened to a complex bouquet of blackberries, compote, pepper, oak, a hint of roast meat and savoury spice. The palate was nicely integrated, with deep fruit over fading oak, ripe tannins and a streak of mineral. The palate did keep developing with more air. Did pique peoples interest. Very good.

9. Domaine les Hautes Cances Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne Vieilles Vignes 2004

Up next this wine, made from 66% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 24% Mourvedre showed a rustic bouquet of cherry, blackberry, licorice, violet, hay, manure (barnyard) and some spice. On the palate it was very well balanced, with a nice savoury edge on the finish. For me this did stand out, even being as rustic as it was. Very charming.

10. E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 2005

Leaving the rustic and back to something bourgeois. Fresh aromas of blackberries, sweet cherries, florals, leather, mineral and a touch of spice. The palate showed bright fruits, silky tannins and soft oak. Nice structure and good finish. Quite elegant.

11. E.Guigal Cotes du Rhone 2005

Wine 11, this one made from a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mouvedre. Opened to black fruits, cherry, bramble, tar, spice and oak. The palate is simple but well balanced and generous enough with chewey tannins and some tar notes. Nothing extraordinary here but solid and well made.

12. M. Chapoutier Côtes-du-Rhône Belleruche 2007

Wine 12, this blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah showed aromas of blackberry, morello cherries, licorice, tar, earth and some oak. The palate was medium-bodied with nice tannins and juicy fruits. Overall quite nice and generous.

13. Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005

Nearing the finish line, this Chateauneuf showed a complex yet slightly locked bouquet of blackberries, cherries, compote, licorice, kirsch, espresso, herbs and spice. The palate was superfine and tightly integrated into a solid fruit-tannin-oak ball. Deep structurally, this did seem too young and needs a fair amount of cellaring. Very promising though.

14. 11. E.Guigal Cotes du Rhone 2005

The last wine of the tasting, and most people got a touch of deja vu. Yes it was the same wine as 11, so see 11.

So all up a wonderful afternoon of wine. My thanks to everybody who came with a bottle, and special thanks to Simon and Heike for hosting.

See you next time.

Château Haut-Cabut 2006

Was pleased to see some new Bordeaux imports around $20 at DMs, this one being a Premières-Côtes-de-Blay. Opened to an attractive bouquet of red berries, mocha, spice and a touch of mint. On the palate it was absolutely fine, with good balance and decent structure. Tannins were soft, wood was understated and finish quite pleasant. Very good value Bordeaux.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Henri Bourgeois Les Baronnes Sancerre 2007

Needing a fine aperitif I grabbed a bottle of this Sancerre, one which I haven't seen or tried before. On the bouquet were aromas of citrus, asparagus, grass, herbs, sweet musk and rosewater. On the palate it was very refined, with some lovely controlled citrus fruits over chalky minerals. Well toned and soft finish made this quite an excellent Sancerre.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100