Pierre Naigeon Clos Pierre Viognier 2008

Another Naigeon, this time the Viognier. Opened to a pleasant bouquet of apricot, pineapple, guava, soft rubber and some mineral. The palate was quite well balanced, with a little residual sugar, clean mineral and fruit. Overall this was quite well controlled, fresh and easy. Very nice.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

E. Guigal Gigondas 2004

Haven't had a Gigondas for some time, so decided to give this Guigal a go. On the bouquet were aromas of cherry, strawberry, chocolate, tar, black pepper, licorice, asparagus and mineral. The palate was well balanced with good tannins, but a little thin. Overall a good nose but really does need some more weight.
50+4+13+16+6 = 89/100

Louis Jadot Côte de Nuits-Villages Le Vaucrain 2007

This Burgundy from the Nuits St. George area opened to aromas of cherries, strawberry, raspberries, spice, leather and minerals. The palate showed more red fruit with a big streak of acid and minerals. It seemed underdeveloped, with acid quite pronounced. Structurally it was ok, but overall lacked dimension and finesse. Not a great wine.
50+4+12+16+7 = 89/100

Pio Cesare Barbera d'Alba 2007

A new Italian wine at DM's and was curious to try. Opened to a rich and a little heady bouquet of ripe cherries, amaretto, vanilla, cola, tar and oak. On the palate it showed bright acidity, over more cherry fruits and showed licorice and rhubarb notes. Structurally it seemed old fashioned, and certainly could do with further cellaring. Overall this was quite moreish and impressive. Good value at around $35.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Chateau Rausan-Ségla 1989

Out at dinner with a friend, I ordered a Baron Pichon but was told all were gone. Instead the waiter suggested this Margaux. The bouquet was quite intense with blackberry, cassis, licorice, oak, cream, nuts and earth. On the palate it was superbly balanced, with good tannins, nice acidity and long length. It seemed it was still developing, and possibly could go another 10 years. Quite lovely and matched our lamb and beef dishes very well.
50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

Diamond Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2004

Some Yarra Valley pinot, this one opened to quite a sherbetish bouquet of cherries, raspberry, strawberry with some herbs and forest floor. On the palate it was initially fairly thin and sharp, but did settle with air with fruit and tannins integrating. Depth was a little lacking, but the bouquet and front palate were enough to carry it through. Quite a well made and feminine style of wine.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Selbach Riesling Kabinett 2006

Another Mosel, this one from Zeltingen. On the bouquet it was quite generous with green apple, honey, flowers and some talc notes. The palate echoed this with clean acidity, sweet apple fruits and mineral. It did show some residual sugar but overall not a bad Mosel.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Marc Brédif Vouvray 2006

I haven't had a Vouvray for some time, and a Bredif seemed a good start. The bouquet showed tropical fruits with quince, pineapple, gunpowder and minerals. The palate was well structured and quite integrated, with softening acidity, steely minerals and clean fruit. Not severe in any way, this Vouvray will probably have a limited life so drink now.
50+4+13+17+7= 91/100

Pierre Naigeon Chambolle-Musigny 2006

A fan of this region decided to give this Chambolle-Musigny a go. Opened to a feminine bouquet of sweet cherries, raspberry, sap, licorice and musk-stick. On the palate it seemed green and young, with un-ripe tannins and slightly sour fruit and a good streak of acid. There was a hint of alcohol coming through which wasn't unpleasant. Overall a decent wine but seems to need more time to develop, soften down and gain some finesse.
50+4+14+15+7 = 90/100

Dönnhoff Riesling Qualitätswein 2007

More German Riesling, this one from Nahe. Showed lovely aromas of apples, flowers, sweet musk, talc and sherbet. On the palate it had good acidity, with chalky mineral and fleshy apple. It did lack a little in weight but structurally it was very sound and very drinkable. Well worth $45.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Chateau Saint-Christoly 2005

This Cru Bourgeois from Medoc opened to some attractive aromas of cherries, berries, blackberry, spice, sweet musk and oak. The palate was generous, balanced and smooth. Good weight and length made this modern style Bordeaux very good value, and would please most palates.
50+4+12+17+7 = 90/100

Château Lanessan Haut-Médoc 1996

Friday night and opened this 14 year old Claret from Cussac-Fort-Medoc. The bouquet initially showed a hint of brett, but after an hour or so the wine opened up and showed sweet prunes, pencil, plum, blackberry, caramel and earth. The palate seemed a little bitter at first, but did soften and sweeten slowly to show some fading fruits, earth and oak. Somewhat difficult, this wine is in the minority style wise. Certainly not sexy but sort of old, frail, dignified and charming. May not have much more time so give it a good airing and drink now.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Clos Floridene Graves 2005

A mid-priced Bordeaux, this wine showed aromas of blueberries, cassis, violets, mint and some oak and spice. The palate is nicely balanced, with ripe fruits over ripe tannins, a touch of mineral and dry finish. Quite a well made and delicious Graves, and a solid value Bordeaux worth cellaring.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

La Perla del Priorat Noster 2005

Something new in store, this Priorat made from a blend of 55% Grenache and 45% Carignan opened to aromas of cherries, raspberries, tar, cola, licorice, violets and smokey oak. The palate was rustic in character, but not crude with grainy tannins and decent acid. All up quite a generous and well made wine, which would suit roasted meats or a BBQ.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Picardy Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2007

Being quite fond of their Chardonnay, was interested in trying this relatively new red from Picardy. Opened to a rich boquet of plums, blackberries, meat, herbs, licorice and cedar. On the palate again it was rich and generous, but not in a heavy way, with good balance and soft tannins. Overall quite fine effort, and certainly a wine I will try again.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Quinta do Ameal Loureiro Vinho Verde 2007

A new white at the store, this wine from Ponte De Lima showed simple aromas of citrus, peach, tropical fruits and flowers. On the palate it was balanced with fresh fruit over some smokey oak and a mineral. Fairly straight forward crisp white. Nice.

50+4+13+15+7 = 89/100