Antica Terra Pinot Noir 2006

On to dinner and I opened this Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. On the bouquet were aromas of violets, cherry, strawberry, anise, sarsaparilla and a touch of earth. The palate was quite rich in fruit with fine grained tannins and a soft acid streak. This was well made pinot, and definitely American in its presence of Sarsaparilla. A well made powerful pinot.
50+4+13+18+7 = 92/100

Maison Louis Latour Chassagne-Montrachet 2005

Our Saturday night aperitif was this white Burgundy from Chassagne-Montrachet. Opened to quite a fine bouquet of peach, pear, ginger, fennel, honey and a touch of butterscotch. The palate was similary fine, yet rich and succulent. Very nicely balanced with fat fruit juice over fine minerals. It did seem a touch faded or still underdeveloped, but made for very easy drinking.
50+4+12+18+7 = 91/100

Bannockburn Geelong Pinot Noir 2007

Being fond of their Chardonnays, was curious to test their Pinot Noir. Opened to aromas of forest, rhubarb, red cherry, cranberry, spice and some oak. The palate was a little lightweight, with bright fruit, slightly green tannins and fresh acidity. Finish was fairly short, but overall not a bad effort. May develop with some age.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100

Roda Reserva 2005

A new vintage of this great Rioja. Opened slowly to show aromas of cherries, plum, licorice, chocolate, coffee beans and earth. Again the palate was superbly balanced and integrated, with dense fruit over superb tannins, everything just slowly opening and developing as it aired. Compared to the 2004 this felt a little more fruit focused. Still a great wine.
50+4+13+18+8 = 93/100

Schloss Gobelsburg Riesling Auslese 2007

After our mains and Chateauneuf, my friend and I ordered this sticky with our desserts. On the bouquet aromas of honey, lavender, grapefruits, mineral and musk. On the palate it was was fresh and citrussy, with clean fruits and mineral. Seemed young but very well resolved. Good length and clean finish this was just what we needed to finish a very good dinner.
50+4+13+17+7 = 91/100

Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee 2007

Out to dinner with a friend, I ordered a bottle of this Chateauneuf for our mains. After a quick decant the nose was quite big and hot, but did settle to reveal rich red and black berries, kirsch, herbs du provence, mint, caramel, vanilla, smoke and olives. On the palate it was powerful, with big sweet juicy fruit, fine tannins and mineral. Quite masculine in character but well controlled this was a remarkable Chateuneuf, from what we were told was a big vintage for Rhone. Excellent and would cellar very well.
50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100

Chateau Malescasse 2006

This Haut-Medoc showed aromas of red fruits, herbs, cassis and spice. On the palate it was quite robust with bold fruits over more bold tannins. In balance and finish dry this is quite an acceptable, masculine style Bordeaux.
50+4+13+16+7 = 90/100