destemmed

Barwon Heads January 2010

2010-01-27T10:48:00.008+11:00

When I was growing up, my family used to spend every Christmas holiday in the seaside town of Barwon Heads. Four weeks in a tent in the foreshore camping ground with many hundreds of other families.
Almost 30 years later here I am with my wife and tennage boys. We are staying in a house on the edge of Barwon Heads, the town is different but the same. Many things are familiar, while others are new. The pier and the bridge are still there many shops are the same, the supermarket has a different facade but is the same building. It appears that the place has survived its fame in the TV series Sea Change, without to many permanent scars.
I really enjoyed being back there.

We drank some wine while we were there.

PONDALOWIE PETIT SYRAH 2006
Very deep coloured almost black. A rich and powerful wine from central Victoria. Petit syrah is also known as durif and is famous for the huge tannic NE Victorian versions. This wine is big on flavour and power. The main flavours that come to me are those of ribena initially and continuing with liquor cherry/kirsh like qualities, also a hint of peppermint and clove. I am aware of the alcohol but it is not distracting to my overall enjoyment. A very enjoyable summer holiday wine, so long as the day is relatively cool.

Tasted: January 2010
Source: Cellar door
Price: $25
Drink: Now - 2015
Score: 91

YALUMBA RUNNING WITH BULLS TEMPRANILLO 2008
Dark red, richly scented with cola and raspberry jellies to the fore, the palate was was strong and full typically tempranillo, it improved over the 2 days that it was open, drinking best on the third day. A good value quaffer.

Tasted: January 2010
Source: Rathdowne Cellars
Price: $18
Drink: Now - 2014
Score: 90

Finally!

2009-07-04T20:24:00.009+10:00

My first post since October 2008. Life is busy.
Work takes up an inordinate amount of time.
Preparation for the minutiae of daily stuff.
Shopping,
Meals for the family,
Clothes, gear and food for work and pre work fitness sessions,
The boys afternoon football training and Sunday matches.

Relax a moment, drink some wine, write a note.
Post it.

Not lately!

A new post.
A new blog layout.

BOCHARA PINOT NOIR 2004

I have posted tasting notes for this wine here previously. It is a wine worth revisiting.
This wine was a find and a bargain. First tasted at the cellar door. It is rich and flavoursome and very moreish.
My previous notes are on the money. Liqueur cherry, cinnamon and cloves, quite sweet in a fruit sense. If anything the wine seems to be almost unchanged, undeveloped and a little hedonistic. It possibly lacks a little in structure, but I am willing to forgive this for the pure pleasure of drinking it.

Tasted: July 2009
Source: Cellar door
Price: $20 (2006)
Drink: Now - 2012
Score: 92

I just tried to access the Bochara website and it is not to be found. Hopefully this is not an ill wind in these times.

BOWEN ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

2008-10-25T21:03:00.003+11:00

I am way behind with posts to this site. Is time really that short? I have 37 tasting notes to publish. Hopefully a concerted effort over the next few nights will see me up to date.

Another old wine.
Interestingly this wine and the previous post (Wendouree Shiraz 1992) were purchased just a few months apart. Their prices were almost identical, their quality/enjoyment level similar.

However since that time their brand value has altered drastically. Why is this so?

Still quite deep in colour, garnet purple. The wine shows a very pure rich cassis nose, recognisably Coonawarra. Cassis, liquor, gentle ripe tannins, good length still a developing wine with some improvement ahead if you were inclined to look for it.

Tasted: August '08
Source: Mailing List
Price: $15 (1994)
Drink: Now - 2013
Score: 94

BIRKS WENDOUREE Shiraz 1992

2008-10-25T20:50:00.002+11:00

The first Wendouree Shiraz that I purchased. At the winery back before they were all sold by mail order or allocation.
The wine is a riper. Stll dark and brooding in colour. The nose is redolent of blackberry, plum and hints of mint. The palte is big and powerful, as is the Wendouree way. Blood plum blackberry and liquorice, very easy mature drinking. will hold for some time.

Tasted: August '08
Source: Winery
Price: $16 (1994)
Drink: Anytime in the next 5ish years
Score: 95

MOUNT MARY CABERNETS 1987

2008-09-21T20:21:00.002+10:00

This wine had an aged appearance, understandable for a 21 year old. Wisened and calm a serene wine. Obvious plummy cabernet fruit with meat and earth nuances. A medium bodied palate, very even through the mouth, dark plums, cassis and a warm earthy/herbal edge. Drinking beautifully.

Tasted: September '08
Source: Mail Order
Price: $25.85 (1989)
Drink: Now, dont wait!
Score: 92

TAR AND ROSES Shiraz 2007

2008-09-21T20:07:00.001+10:00

Dark in colour, almost black. A big rich nose of blackberry, spice and liquorice. The palate is full and similar to the nose, gentle oak, blackberry fruit, liquorice and mixed spice. Quite a strong tannic finish, structured for the medium to long term.

Tasted: September '08
Source: Dan's
Price: $15
Drink: 2012 - 2018
Score: 90

YARRA YERING UNDERHILL Shiraz 1997

2008-09-20T22:10:00.003+10:00

I've just read the sad news that Bailey Carrodus passed away on Friday. A gentle, friendly, genuine man who offered his wine to all who were interested.

The wine presents a deep garnet colour, the nose is acid with a volatile edge and plummy fruit. THe palate seemed one dimentional at first, plummy fruit, quite soft with some spice hints. Its a good wine, though not quite as rich as expected.

Tasted: September 08
Source: Winery
Price: $38
Drink: Now
Score: 90

New posts - Woops

2008-09-04T20:56:00.004+10:00

I have just completed 7 new posts. They were sitting in draft for up to a month, and so are not at the top of the blog, have a look below,

The new posts are:
Jasper Hill Emily's 1992
Tim Adams Aberfeldy Shiraz 1992
Tyrells Rufus Stone Shiraz 2000
Spring Vale Junior Chardonnay 2007
Serego Alighieri Possesioni Rosso 2005
Tenuta Di Valgiorno 2005
Wynns John Riddoch CS 1988

PONDALOWIE Shiraz Viognier 2004

2008-08-07T21:41:00.002+10:00

This is a big bold fruit driven wine, it is deep in colour and rich on nose and palate. It opened a little disjointed but within an hour or so the wine was showing blackberry, fennel, dark chocolate aroma's and flavours in an enjoyable combination, there was also a pleasant hint of apricot blossom (from viognier?) on nose. Enjoyable wine but not for the long term.

Tasted: August 08
Source: Mailing List
Price: $30
Drink: to 2012
Score: 92

Pondalowie Wines

BOWEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 1991

2008-08-07T21:32:00.002+10:00

The wine is still deep garnet purple in colour, it has very rich pure cassis nose, recognisably Coonawarra, the cassis follows through on the palate. Perhaps slightly one dimensional. Gentle ripe tannins, very good length and with some progression still ahead of it if you were so inclined. A delicious drink.

Drank: August 2008
Source: Mailing list
Price: $15 (1994)
Drink: now - 2013
Score: 94

http://www.bowenestate.com.au/

JASPER HILL EMILYS PADDOCK 1992

2008-08-02T22:14:00.006+10:00

Deep purple in the glass, just begining to brown. Strong, rich nose game, liquorice, blackberry and plum. The palate is big and powerful with liquorice and dark fruits. Nice length softened tannins very good balance. A very enjoyable drink.

Tasted: August 2008
Source: Winery
Price: $25.50
Drink: Now - 2013
Score: 93

Jasper Hill

MAIN RIDGE Chardonnay 2002

2008-08-02T22:14:00.004+10:00

Colour mid gold, nose of lime, grapefruit and passionfruit palate shows passionfruit mealy characters sulpher and some butter hints will be long lived

Tasted: August 2008
Source: Mail order
Price: $40
Drink: 2010 to 2015
Score: 90

www.mre.com.au

TIM ADAMS ABERFELDY Shiraz 1992

2008-08-02T22:12:00.002+10:00

Bright garnet colour, a minty, eucalpyt nose. The palate is strong and full with plenty of life, rich plummy fruit, quite acid with drying tannins.

Tasted: August 2008
Source: Winery
Price: $17
Drink: 2010 - 2015
Score: 91

tim adams wines

TYRELLS RUFOUS STONE HEATHCOTE Shiraz 2000

2008-07-24T21:07:00.002+10:00

A deep, dark wine with a big ripe nose of chocolate and dark fruit. The palate like the nose is big, with blood plum, blackberry and chocolate. Rich and sweet, well integrated oak and very good drinking.

Tasted: July 2008
Source: Dan Murphy
Price: $22
Drink: Now - 2013
Score: 92

Rufous Stone

MAIN RIDGE Chardonnay 1994

2008-07-24T21:06:00.002+10:00

This is a wine that I have always enjoyed. It underwent full malolactic conversion and has carried it very well over the years. This bottle showed very minor affects of oxidation.

The colour in the glass is deep yellow, developed. A very rich nose of peach, nectarine, butterscotch and cream greets the senses. The palate is long and full with stewed nectarines, cream caramel and vanilla hints, a rich style from a cool vineyard in a warmish year, it finishes with a long clean acid finish. Still drinking very well, but near the end.

Tasted: July 2008
Source: Winery
Price: $26 (1995)
Drink: Now
Score: 92

http://www.mre.com.au

TIM ADAMS THE FERGUS 2005

2008-07-22T21:49:00.001+10:00

Deep purple colour, a rich robust nose with raspberry and cinnamon, the palate is big and rich with raspberry strudle spices, liquorice and some warmth from alcohol on the margins of what is desirable to me. Not sure that you would want to cellar this one. Drink in the next couple of years.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Dan Murphy
Price: $20
Drink: Now - 2011
Score: 90

http://www.timadamswines.com.au/mainindex.html

SPRING VALE JUNIOR Chardonnay 2007

2008-07-22T21:48:00.002+10:00

This easy drinking wine had a light straw colour. Its nose revealed lime and grapefruit aroma's with some peach hints, a very clean and fresh palate in the citrus spectrum. A good drink with a light chill on a warmish day.

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Winery
Price: $11
Drink: Now - 2010
Score: 91

Springvale

SEREGO ALIGHIERI POSSESIONI ROSSO 2005

2008-07-22T21:45:00.007+10:00

Made from the Northern Italian variety of corvino. This wine had a deep ruby colour, a bright fresh ripe cherry nose with some dried herbs seeping through. A lovely sweet palate with red and black cherry fruit and a dry finish that could be longer. A quality import for the price, in an easy drinking style.

Tasted: August 2008
Source: Corkscrew Torquay
Price: $23
Drink: Now - 2011
Score: 90

serego alighieri

90

TENUTA DI VALGIORNO PALISTORTI 2004

2008-07-22T21:34:00.006+10:00

Very deep ruby, almost black, the nose showed rich cherry and spice. Deep dark cherry flavours regale the palate, undergrowth, spice and herbs fill the mouth. Chalky drying tannins finish an anjoyable wine, this is excellent with food and has many years of live to come.

Tasted: January 2008
Source: Prince Wine Store
Price: $50
Drink: 2010 - 2018
Score: 93

Tenuta di Valgiorno

WYNNS JOHN RIDDOCH Cabernet Sauvignon 1988

2008-07-22T21:32:00.002+10:00

The wine shows brown hints on the meniscious with a quite deep purple colour through the centre of the glass, the nose is full of blackcurrant, mulberry and cedar with some vegetal hints. A delicious palate with powerful blackcurrant, plum, mulberries and an attractive, complexing level of green pea. A delicious wine.

Tasted: July 2007
Source: ?
Price: $24 (1992)
Drink: Now
Score: 95

Wynns

CHATEAU TAHBILK Shiraz 1998

2008-07-22T21:30:00.001+10:00

A wine that struck the right note, casual but good and flavoursome, while showing a level of refinement. Spicy plum spectrum fruit, some elegance while presenting rich and mouth filling. Drinking beautifully now but will hold for a couple of years in the bottle

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $14
Drink: Now - 2012
Score: 91

Chateau Tahbilk

CHARLES MELTON NINE POPES 1997

2008-07-22T21:25:00.002+10:00

Dull red in colour, showing some age. The wine is very mellow, a cedary nose, with raspberry present. A palate of red fruits, raspberries, cedar and caramel. The wine is drinking at its peak, not for keeping any longer.

Drank: June 2008
Source: Retail
Price: $32
Drink: Now
Score: 91

Charles Melton

MAGLIERI Shiraz 2000

2008-07-22T21:21:00.001+10:00

Dark deep purple colour. Sweet blackberry nose, a palate of blackberry, chocolate and some gentle oak. Drank well, although not with any excitement.

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $18
Drink: Now - 2014
Score: 88

Maglieri Wines

SOTTIMANO FAUSONI Barbaresco 1998

2008-07-22T21:19:00.002+10:00

A bright red wine, shows some age in its colour, On the nose there were red fruits, cherry & rose aromas. The palate is full in the mouth with good mouthfeel, the fruit is slightly reticent, dark cherries, rose and leather, some game characters, complex. Good length the wine finishes with strong grippy tannins and acid. Still looking quite young.

Tasted: July 2008
Source: City Wine Shop
Price: $69
Drink: 2013 -2020
Score: 92

ORLANDO ST HUGO Cabernet Sauvignon 1998

2008-07-22T21:18:00.001+10:00

Deep purple with red highlights, strong cabernet nose, blackcurrants! Palate shows juicy blackcurrant, mulberry and a meaty character that I associate with Coonawarra. The wine was a little closed when the cork was pulled. It opened up with more richness the following day. could keep for another 10 years.

Tasted: July 2008
Source: Dan Murphy
Price: $30
Drink: 2010 - 2018
Score: 91

http://www.orlandowines.com/_agev.php?ret=%2Fdefault.php%3F

BINDI Pinot Noir 1997

2008-07-22T21:16:00.001+10:00

Dark red, the wine shows aromas of fresh strawberries and raspberries with some farmyard hints. Fresh and juicy on the palate, raspberry and sour red cherry, some brambly complexity. The wine could be richer and more mouthfilling. Very similar to my note from 2 years ago. Drink!

Tasted: July 2008
Source: Winery
Price: $30
Drink: Now
Score: 90

PENFOLDS BIN 51 Riesling 2007

2008-07-10T19:39:00.006+10:00

A gentle straw colour gleams from the glass. Citrus aroma's jump from the glass. Limes and a hint of grapefruit, the palate is full of lime flavour, with lemon quite full, minerally acid to finish. A very pleasant wine that will improve over the 3-5 years.

Tasted: July2008
Source: Mail Order
Price: $25
Drink: Now - 2013
Score: 91

http://www.penfolds.com/

PIKES PREMIO Sangiovese 1997

2008-07-10T19:18:00.006+10:00

A deep red colour despite age, the nose is showing fresh berry aroma's. Raspberry, loganberry and a little complexing leather and cedar on palate. The front palate is rich and sweet and the wine finishes with chalky tannins and acid. Very good food wine, drink up.

Tasted: July 2008
Source: Langtons Auctions
Price: $19
Drink: Now
Score: 90

http://www.pikeswines.com.au/

A.P. BIRKS WENDOUREE CELLARS Shiraz Mataro 1998

2008-07-07T21:08:00.003+10:00

Very deep complexion, rich nose showing blackberry, blueberry, cedar and some perfumed aroma's. The palate is big and full, with very good length. Blackberry, blueberry flavours, perfumed with robust tannins and rich complexity. Very long lived.

Tasted: July 2008
Source: Mailing List
Price: $32 (2000)
Drink: 2012 -2020
Score: 94

WYNNS JOHN RIDDOCH Cabernet Sauvignon 1988

2008-07-07T21:06:00.004+10:00

An old wine. It opened with a cork in very good condition, a relief. Hints of brown on the meniscious but quite deep purple in the midst of the glass, the nose shows lovely blackcurrant, mulberry and cedar also some vegetal hints, strong blackcurrant, plum, mulberry palate with just a hint of complexing green pea, delicious. Certainly one of the best wines that we have consumed this year.

Tasted: July 2008
Source: Unknown
Price: $24 (1992)
Drink: Now
Score: 95

http://www.wynns.com.au/

PROVIDENCE Pinot Noir 2004

2008-07-04T12:54:00.008+10:00

Another wine from our March trip to Tassie. Providence is an interesting vineyard to visit, it operates like an agent for a large number of other Tasmanian wine companies. You can taste a range of Providence wines and when it comes time to make a purchase you can choose from a range of about 50 others, many hard to get wineries included. The callar door is manned by the owners and they are very knowledgable about the wines on sale, and about the tasmanian Industry as a whole.

This wine was quite a light bright ruby colour, the nose speaks of pinot noir, strawberries and red cherries some leesy yeasty aromas, the palate is in the strawberry and sour cherry spectrum sappy with good length. Quite full in the mouth and will improve over 3-4 years.

Tasted: July 2008
Source: Providence Cellar Door
Price: $25
Drink: 2010 - 2012
Score: 89

http://www.providence-vineyards.com.au/

CORIOLE Nebbiolo 2002

2008-07-04T12:45:00.003+10:00

The wine showed quite dark red in colour, the nose was endowed with red and black cherry fruit, perfumed. On the palate dark cherries, leather and liquorice with a finish that is savoury and dry with mouth puckering tannins. Drank beautifully while there was food at hand. Will live for some time.

Drank: July 2008
Source: Dan Murphy
Price: $27
Drink: 2013-2016
Score: 90

http://www.coriole.com/

BINDI Pinot Noir 1996

2008-06-26T20:22:00.002+10:00

This is the second bottle of this wine that we have consumed this year. We bought a dozen in 2000. Initially they were atypical for pinot, exhibiting spice and pepper characters more reminicient of Southern Victorian shiraz. This bottle and the previous have put a lie to those impressions. This wine has really come into its own.

In the glass it is deep in colour, the nose is showing a little aged complexity with black cherries and spice. On the palate it is similar cherries spice and some feral characters, with crisp acid and some sappiness, it is drinking as well as it ever has. Drink up!

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Mailing List
Price: $27 (2000)
Drink: Now - 2010
Score: 93

ST IMRE Pinot Noir 2006

2008-06-26T19:29:00.004+10:00

Deep colour, ruby purple, a little green on the nose with some dark fruit in the black cherry spectrum. The palatedisplayed more black cherry with hints of asparagas and a savoury finish.

From vines planted in 1999 3rd vintage not a bad wine.

A vineyard and winery with promise. The most southerly in Australia.

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $33
Drink: 2009 - 2011
Score: 89

MAIN RIDGE Pinot Noir 1998

2008-06-25T22:00:00.008+10:00

A sappy pinot nose showing raspberry and red cherry aromas. Lovely deep red in colour. On the palate the wine had lovely mouthfeel, full, silky and satisfying sweet red fruits.

Some sour cherry tones to finish, this wine is drinking beautifully.

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Winery
Price: $32.50 (2001)
Drink: Now to 2013
Score: 93

http://www.mre.com.au/

CAPE MENTELLE Shiraz 1998

2008-06-25T21:47:00.006+10:00

Still showing a very deep colour ,aging gently. The nose has strong meaty aroma's, initially reminding me of bolognese sauce, spice and the perfume of violets are also present. The palate is initially savoury with sweet blackberry and dark plum fruit revealing themselves with a little time, again violets and hints of spice also come through. The wine is delicious and will live for many years.

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Mailing List
Price: $26 (2001)
Drink: Now till 2018
Score: 94

http://www.capementelle.com.au/

MAIN RIDGE Chardonnay 1992

2008-06-09T10:45:00.005+10:00

Deep yellow, almost gold, showing its age. Very rich peach, cashews, cream and pineapple fruit aromas. The palate delivers a rich full wine peach/pinapple nutty and creamy. Very clean finish quite delicious.

If you still have any of this you should drink it. It is still very good but there is sure to be variation between bottles of this age.

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $20 (1993)
Drink: Now
Score: 92

http://www.mre.com.au/

RYMILL Shiraz 2001

2008-06-09T10:32:00.006+10:00

Give this wine some air to drink it at its best.

Drank over 2 nights the wine opened with strong cedar aromas and flavours which had favourably disipated the following evening.

Crimson purple colour, the cedar nose had disipated to blackberries and spice, the palate reflects the nose with blackberry, plum, liquorice, salt, spice, very enjoyable. It was a good match for the pea and ham soup that graced our table.

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $25
Drink: 2012 - 2022
Score: 93

http://www.rymill.com.au/

BALGOWNIE ESTATE Shiraz 2004

2008-06-05T21:59:00.009+10:00

Bendigo grapes, deep colour purple/black. Plum pudding, spice, coffee on nose. The palate is lovely and soft in the mouth, very gentle and drinkable blackberry, spice, very gemtle tannins. The wine has a long life ahead of it if you can leave it alone.

Tasted: April 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $25
Drink: 2012 - 2022
Score: 93

http://www.balgownieestate.com.au/

BALGOWNIE ESTATE Pinot Noir 2005

2008-06-05T21:59:00.007+10:00

This wine is made from Balgownie's Bendigo plantings. These are almost 40 years old.

Deep ruby in colour, full rich black cherry nose very pure. The palate reflects the nose with dark cherry flavours gently sweet and full. Velvety flow through the mouth. Delicious drink. Drink 2012

Tasted: April 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price:$25
Drink: 2010 - 2016
Score: 92

http://www.balgownieestate.com.au/

ASHBROOK Cabernet Merlot 1997

2008-06-05T21:57:00.008+10:00

Deep ruby/black, appears quite youthful, blackcurrant & plum green hints. Definitive cabernet palate, sweet blackcurrant, some dusty tannins very good with pasta dishes.

Tasted: April 2008
Source: Langtons auctions
Price: $22.80
Drink: Drinking at best up to 2011
Score: 89

42° S Pinot Noir

2008-06-05T21:56:00.007+10:00

We spent 3 weeks in Tasmania in March. A beautiful, rugged and yet refined part of the world. We spent our time between the pleasures of food, wine, sight seeing and bushwalking. A terrific holiday.

This is the first tasting note from the trip, I have a number to follow.

This wine was made by Andrew Hood. Deep ruby colour, black cherry and forest floor nose. Black fruit, cherries, plums and forest floor on the palate. Good length chalky tannins.

Tasted: March 2008
Source: Grape, Hobart
Price: $32
Drink: to 2010
Score: 92

BALGOWNIE Pinot Noir 2006

2008-06-05T21:45:00.003+10:00

Bright red in colour, raspberry and strawberry fruit nose, on the palate raspberry, sappy palate, fresh and zippy a god drink, not a long term keeper, drink over the next year.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $17
Drink: 2008 - 2009
Score: 89

http://www.balgownieestate.com.au/

BALGOWNIE ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon 1989

2008-06-05T21:23:00.004+10:00

Made by Stuart Anderson. This wine is from a vintage that was very marginal in Southern Victoria. The more tempurate Bendigo region was more successful.

Quite youthful in appearance, deep crimson with just a little brown showing. Lovely plummy nose. Full plummy, blueberry fruit quite elegant with aged complexity, solid tannins and good length. 12.5% alcohol (weren't they all once!). Will hold for some time, 5 - 7 years.

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Winery
Price:
Drink: now - 2014
Score: 92

BOCHARA Pinot Noir 2004

2008-06-03T11:20:00.005+10:00

We picked this wine up at the winery when travelling home following a weekend in Coonawarra. It turned out to be a highlight.

The wine is a deep crimson. It aroma's are reminicient Haigh's liquor cherry chocolates, The palate is all blackcherries and kirsch with hints of exotic spices, full, rich and velvety in the bigger style of pinot noir.

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Cellar door
Price: $20 (2006)
Drink: Now - 2012
Score: 93
http://www.bocharawine.com.au/

MITCHELL Riesling 1998

2008-06-02T21:22:00.007+10:00

The wine has a yellow colour. Toasty lemon lime on the nose and palate, showing development and beginning to dry out, but still drinking well. If you have it drink it.

Tasted: April 2008
Source: Unknown
Price: $12
Drink: Now
Score: 91
http://www.mitchellwines.com/

MOUNT PLEASANT PHILLIP Shiraz 2005

2008-06-02T20:55:00.004+10:00

I bought this wine after reading a number of very positive reviews. We rarely drink Hunter Valley wines at our place, but that may need to change in the future. This wine is great value at its sub $20 price.

Deep garnet in the glass. The nose shows dark plummy fruit, mineraly characters and some gently vanillan, the palate is full with plummy fruit, vanilla and cinnamon/clove spices. It finishes very clean and dry, with a delicious savouriness that cries out for food.

Tasted: June 2008
Source: Dan Murphy
Price: $17
Drink: 2010 - 2016
Score: 91
http://www.mcwilliams.com.au

TAR & ROSES Tempranillo 2006

2008-05-29T21:58:00.005+10:00

The wine is a deep ruby/purple colour. Rich nose, cola, raspberry jubes on nose, rich red fruits raspberries creme caramel and sour cherries. The wine finishes with mouth puckering tannin and acid, palate has good length. Really needs to be cellared for three to five years.
Tried again 24 hours after opening. This will age very well, the palate has developed and filled out. Flavours of cola, sarsparilla and black cherry come through strongly. Very good.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Cloudwine
Price: $25
Drink: 2011 - 2016
Score: 92

MOUNT MARY Cabernets 1987

2008-05-29T21:12:00.006+10:00

The 1987 vintage was very cool in the Yarra Valley.

This wine transends the difficulties that were presented by the vintage.
A developed medium brick red in colour, full cassis plum cedar nose with aromas of violetscoming through. A lovely medium bodied palate, very mellow and drinkable, cedar , cassis, hints of plum, a lterrific drink.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Winery
Price: N/A
Drink: Drink now
Score: 92

http://www.mountmary.net/

CAPE MENTELLE Cabernet Sauvignon 1987

2008-05-27T22:21:00.008+10:00

Opened the day before the Mount Mary Quintet. A very different proposition.

Quite purple showing some age, definitive cabernet nose plummy blackcurrant fruit with an herbal green bean edge. The palate is quite rich, with flavours that reflect the nose. The wine finishes clean with gentle drying tannins. It will probably hold for a year or three.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: ?
Price: $18 (1989)
Drink: Now - 2010
Score: 90

http://www.capementelle.com.au/

DIAMOND VALLEY ESTATE Pinot Noir 1991

2008-05-27T22:13:00.004+10:00

A very interesting exercise to drink an Australian pinot noir of this age.
We have a few older pinots. Good brands hopefully the quality and corks are up to the journey.

The wine stood up pretty well, middle red in colour showing some browning from age, brambly red cherry nose developed but still fresh, sweet red fruit and cedar on the front and middle palate sour cherry finish, clean tannins. Its age would surprise.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Winery
Price: $27 (1992)
Drink: Drink
Score: 91

http://www.diamondvalley.com.au/

KILIKANOON PARABLE Shiraz 2005

2008-05-23T22:00:00.004+10:00

Deep purple black in the glass. The aroma jumps out of the glass, rich full of fresh black fruit characters, blackberry, plum pudding, chocolate and charry oak. Very rich. The palate fills the mouth, the fruit delicious, very big and powerful well balanced and integrated with the oak. Not an easy match with food but very enjoyable in its own right.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Syracuse
Price: $13 glass
Drink: 2010 - 2018
Score: 94

http://www.kilikanoon.com.au/

CIELO D'ABRUZZO KASAURA Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2006

2008-05-23T21:55:00.006+10:00

I drank a glass of this wine with lunch at 'Syracuse'. It was very good with a lightly spiced pumpkin broth.

A deep colour was accompanied by a lovely perfumed nose. I found violets and jasmine along with dark fruits. The palate shows full plum and dark cherry fruit with a clean drying acid bite to finish.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: 'Syracuse', Melbourne
Price: $11 glass
Drink: 2008 - 2013
Score: 90

ST HALLETS BLACKWELL Shiraz 2002

2008-05-19T12:54:00.004+10:00

Very deep in colour almost black, no real sign of development. On the palate this opened with quite a vanillan, coffee aroma. This evolved over time into liquorice, coffee and chocolate fruit (if that makes sense). He palate was full and rich, quite a mouthful. A very good wine, although I personnelly prefer a little more subtlety.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Boccacio Cellars
Price: $24 (2004)
Drink: 2008 - 2015
Score: 93

http://www.sthallett.com.au/flashsite/index.html

RYMILL ESTATE Shiraz 1998

2008-05-14T22:17:00.006+10:00

Deep Colour, Cedary Coonawarra nose, Creamy, cedar oak on palate, some fruit hidden beneath the oak, in the dark berry spectrum. The wine does not seem to have improved since last tasted.

Tasted: April 2008
Source: Dan Murphy
Price: $22 (2001)
Drink: Now
Score: 88

http://www.rymill.com.au/

SPRING VALE Pinot Noir 2005

2008-05-14T22:05:00.005+10:00

This wine displays a bright ruby complexion. It has aroma's of liquor cherry and jubey, confectionary notes. Liquor cherry palate, almost medicinal, quite light bodied but has great mouthfeel with chalky drying tannins to finish. It is almost Italian in style, atypical for pinot. Could be cellared to 2013.

Tasted: April 2008
Source: Dan's
Cost: $40
Drink: 2008 - 2013
Score: 93

http://www.springvalewines.com/

VINEA MARSON Sangiovese 2005

2008-05-14T21:49:00.010+10:00

From Mario Marson's Heathcote Winery.

Clear bright red in colour, not deep. Fresh red cherry and marzipan nose, reflected on the palate, raspberry, redcherry, marzipan, quite primary. Smooth palate, very well structured, clean drying acid/tannin balance.
The style of this wine is right in the Chianti groove, with a twist of Australian fruit purity.
Will provide delicious drinking to approximately 2016.

Tasted: April 2008
Source: Boccacio Cellars
Price: $33
Drink: 2008 - 2016
Score: 94

http://www.vineamarson.com.au/

http://www.vineamarson.com/index.html

BOWEN ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc 1994

2008-05-14T21:31:00.005+10:00

This is a feral, gamey, dirty wine, I say this in a positive way.
Its primary fruit is largely gone but it has been replaced by numerous complex characters.
A feral nose leads into a palate that shows cedar, game and hints of mulberry fruit with a chalky drying tannin structure following, drinks very well with robust food, eg. spagetti bolognese.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Mail Order
Price: $16 in 1996
Score: 90

http://www.bowenestate.com.au/

TOMBOY HILL ROKEWOOD Pinot Noir 2002

2008-05-14T21:17:00.005+10:00

Bright ruby, Cherry and plum nose, pure fruit. Strong sour cherry palate, good length,varietal pinot noir. Some gamey characters developed with time. Should be drunk in the short term.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Mail Order
Price: $37 (2005)
Score: 91

http://www.ballaratwineries.com/tomboyhill.htm

MAIN RIDGE THE ACRE Pinot Noir 2005

2008-05-13T21:47:00.007+10:00

I am a fan of Nat and Rosalie White's wines and this certainly lived up to my expectations.

This is the second pinot noir in the Main Ridge range.

Light, bright red in colour. Aroma's of strawberry and raspberry complemented by game and mushroom nuances. The palate is very long, clean and dry, raspberry, red cherries, game and gentle linear tannins are delicious and refreshing in structure. A terrific wine to drink with food, roast duck or turkey.

Tasted: April 2008
Source: Cellar door
Price: $45 (2007)
Score: 93

http://www.mre.com.au/

HEATHCOTE WINERY 'MAIL COACH' Shiraz 2000

2008-05-13T21:24:00.006+10:00

Deep dark and brooding, the nose initially showed strong vanilla/caramel from American oak. The plummy spicy fruit came to the fore after an hour or so. On the palate plum, cherries, cinnamon, cloves and hints of liquorice and vanilla combine. Full and rich drinking very nicely. Has five to ten years ahead of it.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $16 (2004)
Score:92

http://www.heathcotewinery.com.au/

FOX CREEK RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 1999

2008-05-13T21:03:00.009+10:00

We picked this wine up while on holiday in South Australia a number of years ago. Tasting the range at the cellar door was very pleasant, so pleasant, we nearly didn't make it to the Kangaroo Island ferry terminal in time.

Showing a deep ruby complexion with a little browning, the nose is quite closed, not much happening at all. On the palate there is some plummy ripe cabernet fruit however it lacks the generosity I had expected. Overall a disappointing wine.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $38 (2002)
Points: 88

http://www.foxcreekwines.com/

BREAM CREEK RESERVE Pinot Noir 2005

2008-05-13T20:25:00.009+10:00

Bright garnet in colour, the varietal, pinot nose shows liquor cherry, game and hints of liquorice. The palate is long and silky, starting with dark cherries and kirsch, game and stalky rhubarb like characters follow, finishing with some grippy tannins. The wine will live for 5 years at least. Enjoy with gamey poultry.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $34
Points: 93

http://www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/

BOWEN ESTATE Shiraz 1991

2008-05-06T21:50:00.009+10:00

This is a delicious wine. It shows some signs of its age with slight browning.
It has lovely mulberry, blackberry, plum pudding, cedar and cinnamon spice on the nose and palate it is drinking at its peak, it has a freshness that belies its age.
If you have any its probably a good time to drink it.
Lovely with a roast rack of lamb.

Tasted: May 2008
Source: Mail Order
Price: Irrelevant
Points: 94

http://www.bowenestate.com.au/

My first blog

2008-05-06T21:15:00.003+10:00

This is my first blog.

Now that I am here, doing this, I'm not sure how to start or what to write.

If you are reading this you probably have an interest in wine.
This is a wine blog.

I intend to use this blog to document my experiences in the sensory world of wine.

A large component of this will be tasting notes for individual wines that I have the pleasure to taste or drink. I have about 2 years of notes that I will add, along with most bottles that I encounter along the way.

My notes will be largely based on Australian wine with occasional excursions into the Old World of France, Italy and Spain.