Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove 2003

On a recommendation I picked up a bottle of this red from Bolgheri. Blended from Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Petit Verdot 5%. Opened to aromas of intense maturing black and red fruits, herbs, tar, rose petals, beetroot, cab leaf, herbs and a touch of amarone. On the palate fruits were dense but not heavy, tannins quite sweet and well balanced acid. Overall quite a complex and seductive wine. Highly recommended.
50+4+14+19+8 = 95/100

Château Lanessan Haut-Médoc 2006

After trying the 1996 vintage a few months ago was keen to try the current 2006 release. Opened to aromas of black currant, cassis, cedar, herbs, prune and some sweet spice. On the palate it was well balanced and broad with pleasant tannins and sweet fruits. Overall much more modern in style than the 1996. Still very nice and should cellar well.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Cape Mentelle Wallcliffe Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2006

Pre dinner we grabbed a bottle of this Bordeux Blanc style from Margaret River. Opened to a fairly packed bouquet of citrus, lychee, melon, grass, gooseberry and smokey notes. The palate was quite concentrated with fruit, with some nice mineral and a touch of oak. Finished crisp and dry. Overall not a bad wine but for me a little forced and a touch dis-integrated.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Chateau Lynch-Moussas 2006

On to dinner and we shared this 5th growth from Pauillac. The bouquet initially showed bright fuzzy raspberry, but settled down to reveal black fruits, cassis, incense, chocolate, spice, cedar and vanilla. On the palate it was quite dense and concentrated with clear fruits over fine mineral and tannins. Very well balanced, pure and solid this was quite a well built Pauillac. Very good.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Chateau de Chantegrive Caroline Blanc 2006

Friday night aperitifs, and we opened this Blanc from Graves. On the bouquet were aromas of lemon and lime, green apple, almonds, florals, mint, butter and vanilla. The palate was well balanced and medium in weight, with quite a dry and delicate mouth feel. Some nice mineral and soft wood notes made this wine very elegant and easy drinking. Lovely.
50=4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Chateau Bernadotte 2006

For dinner a Bordeaux. This Haut-Medoc opened to pleasant aromas of red and black berry fruit, incense, pepper, cream, mineral and a touch of vanilla. The palate was mid-bodied, with good acid and tannins. Fruit well extracted but not overly. Needs a good decant and should develop further with time. Good value.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Hermitage Blanc 2007

Not having a white Hermitage in the past, gave this Chapoutier a try. On the bouquet were aromas of peach, pear, apricot, honeysuckle, butterscotch, almonds and minerals. The palate was quite fine with a slightly fat feel, with soft acid and mineral underneath. Nicely poised this was quite an elegant Marsanne.
50+4+13+17+8 = 92/100

Pio Cesare Barbaresco 2005

A new Pio Cesare in store, and was keen to try as their other wines are quite excellent. Opened to sweet aromas of red cherries, raspberry, peach, amarone, cinnamon, vanilla and some florals. The palate was relatively light in body, but very focused and packed with flavourful fruit, fine integrated tannins and a hint of oak underneath. Alcohol did peak through but was controlled enough not to spoil. Quite an old world Italian styled wine with lots of charm and finesse. Very nice.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Berberana Gran Reserva Carta de Oro Rioja 2001

A cheap Rioja for dinner and a 2001 Gran Reserva. Opened to attractive aromas of raspberries, cherry, licorice, meat juice, mineral and a little spice. The palate was a little thin, but well balanced with nice acidity and decent tannins. Fruit was reasonably extracted and there was some complexity evident. Overall quite a good wine and should have a few more years left in the cellar. Good value at around $20.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100