Jim Barry. 2009 Riesling

General: I tasted this with Thai very early in the year and bought this for our Christmas day. A hit with anyone who tasted it.

Variety: Riesling

Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley (SA)

Alcohol: 12.0%

Bouquet: Amazing. Intense and pure. Lime and lemon.

Flavour: What I remember most is the crisp acidity of this wine. This very well contained the intensity of the citric flavours.

Points: 83

Notes: I think these wines are in the $17-$20 range (300Kc-360Kc) range. Well worth the price and I think even cheaper when in a case buy.

Westend. 2008 Tempranillo

General: Post-Christmas and a cold day. Time to try something a little heavier.

Variety: Tempranillo

Region/G.I.: Southern New South Wales, Hilltops

Alcohol: 14.0%

Bouquet: Liquorice with a hint of vanilla

Flavour: Relatively simple but satisfying. Liquorice and some spice with a dry finish. Tannins were a little strong (to my liking) but a little more time will make this even better

Points: 82

Notes: I think this retails, with the usual discounts in the $15 (240 Kc) range. One of the better Australian grown Tempranillos I have tasted.

Silver Ridge. 2008 Pinot Noir

(photo to be added later)

General: Part of the last haul from Vintage Cellars. I bought this to try some New Zealand Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Marlborough, NZ
Alcohol: 12.6%
Bouquet: Lovely combination of some earthy, savoury aromas with ripe fruit (red berries) also there
Flavour: Well balanced and lengthy. The flavour follows the bouquet. Delicate flavours. This is a more savoury Pinot, satisying with a lot to taste without being in your face.
Points: 84
Notes: Available in a 2 for $20 buy. That is, about 180 Kc a bottle

Colveath. 2008 Merlot

General: One from the wine club. I have not tasted much from this region and this was a perfect introduction. This is produced by Philip Shaw and is a single vineyard wine.

Variety: Merlot

Region/G.I.: Central Ranges/Orange (NSW)

Alcohol: 13.5%

Bouquet: Complex nose. I detected brambles, red currant and a whiff of vanilla. It seemed that every smell had these aromas in a different but pleasing mix

Flavour: Surprisingly lengthy with a lovely smooth finish. Well balanced with the initial fruit gently progressing to the nice dry finish

Points: 83 (but the more I think about it, the more tempted I am to raise it to 84)

Notes: I guess the usual retail price is $20 but in the mixed case I tried, the average priced ended up being $14 (circa 250 Kc).