Tempus Two 2009 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Varieties: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Semillon - Hunter Valley, Sauvignin - Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 11.5%
Bouquet: Hints of bottle age, pineapple and a very ripe lemon
Flavour: Lemon and lime flavours with good length and good acidity. Not overly complex but very good
Points: 84
Notes: Now at 22:00 and 27 degrees, it's a very good wine to deal with the heat. A very good drink especially as it cost $10.45 (~188 Kc). Current vintage release is 2012

Dopff 2009 Pinot Blanc

Variety: Pinot Blanc
Region: Alsace
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Restrained, pear-like aromas
Flavour: Charming hints of bottle age already exist in this wine (sealed under screw cap, no less) with pear, hints of lemon and mineral tones held together with easy acidity.
Points: 85
Notes: This is entry level $13.00 (~233 Kc) Alsatian wine here and is delightful. I tasted the 2008 last year and was a fan. Must get the current release 2010 now. 

Crittenden Estate 2011 Geppetto

Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Region/G.I.: Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Without being overpowering, a nice balance of fruit (gooseberry, passionfruit) with grassy aromas
Flavour: Lovely acidity balancing citrus flavour in the mouth
Points: 84
Notes: From a region I think is over-rated for the Pinot Noirs that it produces, comes this very enjoyable classic white blend. It's a nice change to have something with a bit of subtlety when it comes to Sav Blanc. Through the wine club it was $15.50 (~278 kc)

Brokenwood Wines 2010 The Bentley's Boot Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: North East Victoria, Beechworth
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Sour cherry and herbs, primarily Rosemary
Flavour: Very nice length with gentle tannins rounding out a very pleasant move from sour cherry fruit and herb flavours to a drying finish. Nice acidity and complexity.
Points: 85
Notes: This is a heavier version of Pinot Noir and clearly in the Australian style of bigger fruit. It's enjoyable but I can imagine purists would not be impressed. Online it is is as much as $35 a bottle although this came through a wine club for $15.81 (~280Kc) which is good value at that price

Jean Berteau 2009 Prestige

Region: Cotes du Rhone
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Dense collection or mulberry, raspberry and cherry as well as some brambly notes
Flavour: The red current flavour stands out from an otherwise pleasant wine with a fine balance of fruit and brambly flavours. It drops off a little quick for something with such a heavy start.
Points: 84
Notes: A cold, rainy day brings the desire for red. This is very nice without being exceptional. At $15.57 (~280 Kc) it is reasonably priced

Two Churches 2008 Semillon

Variety: Semillon
Region/G.I.: Barossa, Barossa Valley
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 12.0%
Bouquet: Vibrant lemon with hints of aged notes
Flavour: Decent lemon flavour with the smallest hint of minerality. Quite short and simple.
Points: 81
Notes: At $8.00 (~160 Kc) this is cheaper than I usually buy. I have found since buying it that it is a "home brand" of one of the two mega-grocers in Australia. For $8.00, it's ok but I won't be getting again

Katnook Estate 2010 Founder's Block Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region/G.I.: Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Hard lemon candies, with hints of gooseberry
Flavour: Nice and crisp with good acidity that doesn't dissolve your teeth. Citrus and hints of gooseberry according to the nose. A solid performer.
Points: 83
Notes: $14.50 (~280 Kc) from one of the wine clubs. Not the most extraordinary Sav Blanc but very good

Yalumba 2011 The Y Series Riesling

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I.: Barossa
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 11.5%
Bouquet: Lemon and lime
Flavour: Simple. Good acidity and citrus flavours. A touch of minerality as well.
Points: 83
Notes: At $10 (~180 Kc), there's not much not to like. Another good one in the Y Series. Will be good to always have a couple in the fridge during summer

Word of mouth 2010 Sweet Milli

Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling
Region/G.I.: Central Ranges, Orange
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 8.0%
Bouquet: Tropical, mostly pineapple like aromas with some lemon in the mix
Flavour: Lush, mango/pineapple texture and flavours held together with ample acidity. A hint of mineral extract. Great mouth feel.
Points: 85
Notes: A lovely way to start or end an evening. $15 (~270 Kc) from the cellar door earlier this year

Josef Chromy 2010 Pinot Gris

Variety: Pinot Gris
Region/G.I.: Tasmania
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Nothing in the bouquet
Flavour: Nothing but sourness. Suspect this bottle is a bad one.
Points: X
Notes: From a recent mixed case of whites. Given I have tasted these wines before with my only complaint for some of the whites being a touch too much sugar, this one has to be a bad bottle. I only had one bottle to taste but will look to taste this again

Fermoy Estate 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Margaret River
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Grassy and lemon aromas
Flavour: Medium length with tangy, lemony acidity. Some mineral in the mix as well. Much more than the nose indicates
Points: 84
Notes: A good alternative to the standard gooseberry juice on offer. $14.61 (~263 Kc). A good summer wine 

Dalfarras 2007 Pinot Gris Viognier

General: I tasted this over 3 years ago and liked it so much I bought a couple of bottles. It was the minerality which was appealing last time, although I was distracted and tasted some of the reds in the range, naming this one though as special
Varieties: Pinot Gris, Viognier
Region/G.I.: Central Victoria, Goulburn Valley, Nagambie Lakes
Alcohol: 13.0%
Vintage: 2007
Bouquet: Pear, lime and some lemon. Hints of bottle-nose reflecting age
Flavour: Full bodied with acidity still in existence holding it all together. Pear and lime follow the nose. Nice touch of mineral extract. Seriously good stuff.
Points: 85
Notes: This is a $11.00 (~188 kc) bottle from the mass liqour shops here. I've had this a couple years. A wonderful wine. Will grab a few more. Interesting that it is from Central Victoria, an area I have not tasted much

Znovin Znojmo 2006 Chardonnay

This was the second wine of the inaugural Wednesday Wine Night. I have just realised that it was tasted recently by K here.

I agree with the tasting notes. Our group preferred the first wine tasted but this Chardonnay was a very enjoyable, restrained style of Chardonnay which was a novelty for our palates. 

Vino Mikulov 2007 Sommelier Club Welschriesling

General: This was our first wine at the inaugural "Wednesday Wine Night" that I hosted at my flat this week. They will be held every few weeks so if in the neighbourhood, you're always welcome

Variety: Welschriesling (aka Ryzlink Vlassky in Czech)
Region: Morava wine region of Czech Republic, Mikulov sub-region, from the Valticka vineyard
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol: 11.0%
Bouquet: Lots of aged-bottle tones in the bouquet without being over-oxidated and hints of white flowers
Flavour: Classy and elegant. Feint citrus tones are carried by solid mineral flavours giving a balanced, slightly sour finish. Soft on the palate but delivering flavour in spades
Points: 86
Notes: Brought to Australia by my good friend K. and we didn't manage to try this in his visit. As I was not sure of his return to Oz, I decided to share this with a couple of friends who appreciate wine. This was the favourite of the night. Thanks K!

Visionario by Alessandro Gallici 2010

Varieties: Obtained from here,  Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc, and 5% each of Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Malvasia
Region/G.I./IGT: Venezie
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Complex aromas where I detected lime, lemon and a hints of drying grass
Flavour: Similarly complex. Medium bodied with great length. There is a cleansing pear and candied lemon in the mix with wonderful minerality. Very well balanced.
Points: 85
Notes: At $13.82 (~250 Kc), this is a keeper. Luckily I have another one and foreign wines are popular with the various wine clubs

First Creek 2010 Winemaker's Reserve Pinot Noir

Note: I tasted this before seeing the comments from the last post!

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: Tasmania
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Restrained. Raspberry and brambley aromas
Flavour: Underwhelming. Sure, the flavour profile followed  that of the nose and there was reasonable acidity as well. Overall, though, it was rather dull and the reason I tend to steer away from Pinots....
Points: 81
Notes: This was a present and I'm shocked to see that its cellar door price is $45.00 (>810 kc). If I compare to the Yarra View I had earlier in the year, it is hard to believe that this one sells for $45.

Shingleback 2007 Cellar Door Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Soft chewey licorice, raspberry paste
Flavour: Full bodied with great length. Licorice and olive and dried herbs (rosemary, thyme). Held together very nicely.
Points: 86
Notes: About $16.00 (~285 kc) from a wine club. Very enjoyable

Wine by Brad 2008 Cabernet Merlot

Varieties: (split found on another blog - Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (45%), Petit Verdot (5%)
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Margaret River
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 13.8%
Bouquet: Tobacco leaf, mulberries, clove
Flavour: Medium to heavy bodied. The flavours move seamlessly from from the gentle, complex flavours according to the nose, now with a touch of mint through to the extended tannins. Everything in balance and a very nice drink
Points: 85
Notes: At a cost of $15.00 (~270 Kc), this is very good value. I have an 09 floating around somewhere I need to now find

Temple Bruer 2006 Shiraz Malbec

Varieties: Shiraz (64%), Malbec (36%)
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, Langhorne Creek
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Equal measure of wet animal and plum/sour cherries
Flavour: More towards liquorice and tar with good acidity and gentle tannins. Well balanced complexity
Points: 84
Notes: An organic and vegan friendly wine that I bought a couple of years ago for about $16.00 (~288 Kc). Very enjoyable and happy to drink again

Daisy & The Tambourine Man 2009 Shiraz Cabernet

Varieties: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Barossa, Barossa Valley
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Blackcurrant, some cedary aromas and a touch of menthol
Flavour: Medium to heavy body with lovely length. Nice tannins.Flavour is slightly too cedary for me, which overpowers other tastes
Points: 82
Notes: A solid wine. Just under $9.00 (~150 Kc) from a recent mixed case

landsdale 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region/G.I.:  South West Australia, Great Southern, Mount Barker

Vintage: 2010

Alcohol: 14%

Bouquet: Almost without any expression. A small hint of red currant

Flavour: Acidic and foul tasting. Suspect bottle taint (in spite of screw cap seal)

Points: XX not drinkable

Notes: I picked this up a year ago from a wine club. Almost as bad as the Westend we had during the visit! Such a pity after the last bottle from the same region

Forest Hill Vineyard 2009 Night Eyes Cabernet Merlot

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Great Southern, Mount Barker
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Thick blackcurrant and plum juice with a hint of mint
Flavour: Fantastic length. Full bodied with luscious fruit according to the nose, followed by long, drying tannins. Balanced and harmonious
Points: 86
Notes: The price point for this is $17.00 but I picked it up in a special case of 15 for just less than $9.00 (~150 Kc). An excellent wine.

Songlines Estate 2009 bylines Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: Tasmania
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Wet forest floor and pine nettle, with red currant in the background. 
Flavour: Fruitier than the nose would suggest. My biggest problem with this is that it is very light. Possibly marginally better than the 2008 that I tasted here recently but hard to say
Points: 81
Notes:  $15.74 (~$280). I tasted much better Pinot Noir in my recent visit to Tasmania. It is noteworthy that the company does not advertise Pinot on its website. 

Watershed 2009 Senses Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Margaret River
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Meaty and leathery with undertones of stewed fruit (prunes, plums).
Flavour: Fully bodied with great length The initial fruit at the start is met with equally good tannins. A good drying finish. For me, an untypical Shiraz but excellent.
Points: 86
Notes: In a special mixed case it came in under $9.00 (~Kc 180), although its regular price is usually double that. Very good!

Sister's Run 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

This week's Friday night tipple:

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Barossa, Barossa Valley (Bethlehem Block vineyard in Gomersal)
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Dense blackcurrant conserve/paste/povidla(?). Possibly liquorice as well
Flavour: Medium to full bodied. A rush of fruit at the start followed by some wood and drying tannins. Straightforward and well balanced
Points: 85
Notes: Its cellar door price is about $18.00 but I bought this for less than $10.00 (180 Kc) in a 15 mixed bottle case. It seems the wine glut continues. A good drop. Will drink the second bottle sooner rather than later.

Seville Estate 2010 Pinot Noir

Variety: Seville Estate
Region/G.I.: Port Phillip, Yarra Valley
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: dry earth, a little cedar and hints of red currents
Flavour: Medium body - a heavier style of Pinot than one expects. Lovely complexity with delicate flavours of savoury spice, red current and sour cherry, brambles and a hint of wood, dancing across the tongue.
Points: 88
Notes: This has lived up to the expectation as the wine of the case recently purchased. Through the wine club it was $18.33 (~330 Kc) but is usually about $25. Well worth it. One of the nicest Pinots tasted in a long time.

Forester Estate 2008 Cabernet Merlot

Varieties: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc
Region/G.I.: Great South West, Margaret River
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 13%
Bouquet: Tobacco leaf and cedary aromas with hints of mulberry and clove
Flavour: Great length. A full mouth of fruit to start followed by brambly flavours with fine, tannins to finish. Well rounded and enjoyable. The only surprise is that there is a little more fruit in the initial taste than the nose suggests
Points: 86
Notes: $18.33 (~330 Kc) - a lovely treat early in the week 

Songlines Estate 2008 bylines Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: Tasmania
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Raspberry and red currant and pine nettle
Flavour: Very light. A fruitier style of Pinot which is not overly complex.Too light for my liking.
Points: 80
Notes:  $15.74 (~$280) - quite ok but I've had better Pinot for the same price

Parri Street 2004 Pangkarra Cabernet Sauvignon (Cleanskin)

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 2004
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Blackcurrant and freshly dried earth with a hint of cardamon pods
Flavour: While not as impressive as the nose, it has a good, medium body and generous length of taste. The flavour is slightly more to the fruit in the nose rather than the savoury flavours.
Points: 83
Notes: I picked this up in the last week from a wine club I haven't used before. For the $10.74 (~195 Kc) it's a bargain. No image as this is a cleanskin.  

Wingarra Wine Group 2009 Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Blackcurrant with some cedary, smokey tones
Flavour: Yum. Textbook Cab. Medium body. Fruit and smokey flavours according to the nose followed by drying tannins. Good length and balance.
Points: 85
Notes: About $15 (~280 Kc) through one of the wine clubs.

Tscharke 2005 Only Son

Variety: Tempranillo
Region/G.I.: Barossa, Barossa Valley, Marananga
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol: 14.9%
Bouquet: Cow shed. Wet earth, wet hay and wet wood.
Flavour: Chewey, savoury tobacco, coffee and cloves. Soft tannin still in existence.
Points: 87
Notes: Only a couple of us liked this. The others could not get beyond that beautiful nose. I think at the cellar door it was $25 (~450).

Brangayne of Orange 2007 Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: Central Ranges, Orange
Vintage: 2007 (label for 2010 shown in picture)
Alcohol: 13.9%
Bouquet: Yay for Pinot which is not light fruit juice! A gamey base couple with forest fruit.
Flavour: Good length and well integrated. The flavour profile follows that of the nose.
Points: 86
Notes: This followed a De Bortoli's Gulf Station 2010 Pinot Noir which was rather bland (82 points). Bought at the cellar door last year $22 (~396)

Hentley Farm 2010 The Stray Mongrel

Varieties: Grenache (57%), Shiraz (37%), Zinfandel (6%)
Region: Barossa, Barossa Valley
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 15.0%
Bouquet: Complex. Big.Wet earth, dates and plum and some savoury spice
Flavour: As big as the nose suggests and great length. Held together nicely with some tights tannins.
Points: 88
Notes: One from our trip to the Barossa. The wine which closed the night. $32 (~580 Kc)
  

Mr Frog 2010 Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: Port Phillip, Yarra Valley
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: A light nose with fresh, ripe cherry and just dried wet-earth
Flavour: More light than medium bodied. Reasonable length. Cherry in mouth with balanced acidity and good dryness. A very pleasant drink
Points: 84
Notes: From a wine shop I recently discovered. $14 (~250 Kc), this is solid and enjoyable Pinot 

Stonehurst 2010 Chambourcin

Variety: Chambourcin
Region/G.I.: Hunter Valley, Hunter
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Pleasant cedar tones, with secondary notes of combined forest berries
Flavour: Medium bodied, good flavour according to the nose. No real tannin and ever so slightly acidic. Generally ok but unlikely to be something I would seek out.
Points: 83
Notes: I am not a fan of this resistant varietal and cancelled my regular order from the wine club when they started slipping this variety into my mixed cases. This one is fine. The almost 25% discount to $15.52 (~280 kc) makes it reasonable

First Creek 2010 Rosso Puro

Varieties: Chambourcin, Shiraz and Merlot
Region/G.I.: Hunter Valley, Hunter, Pokolbin
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Earthy and licorice
Flavour: Rather light bodied with a lift of pepper. Otherwise, there is not much to it. Ok length. It's agreeable but not something one will remember as special
Points: 82
Notes: This is a certified organic wine. My wish for a bit more oomph in the wine is more likely to come from the fact this a Hunter red, which tend not to be big or overly complex, rather than the fact that it is organic. Chambourcin is a French resistant grape popular in Australia in regions with moisture/dampness. $15.52 (~280 Kc) makes it interesting to try once. Cellar door price is $25.00.

Westend 2009 3 Bridges Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Big Rivers, Riverina
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Blackcurrant, Mulberry and a hint of vanilla
Flavour: A gritty mouthful with typical drying tannins. Good length. The only thing ambiguous about this wine is the fruit flavour . . . probably more towards just ripe Satsuma plums, as there is a hint of tartness which is fine
Points: 84
Notes: This was brought over by visitors and I was concerned given that we tasted a dud from Westend during the visit and I've had a bad experience with Westend since. However, it seems there higher label "3 Bridges" hits the mark. A decent Cab Sav. Probably around $20 (~360Kc)

Moorebank 2009 "The Press Room" Classic S.C.M Red

Varieties: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Region/G.I.: Hunter Valley, Hunter, Pokolbin
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14.2%
Bouquet: Very nice. Gentle vanilla and cedary aromas with some smoke and in the background, dense blackcurrant notes
Flavour: Very nice complexity which follows much in the nose. Medium bodied with fine tannins. All round, a very nice drop.
Points: 85
Notes: From a wine club, the price of $15.52 (~270 Kc) is excellent. Claimed priced of $37.00 seems high but at the wine club price it's value for money

Jeir Creek 2009 Cabernet Merlot

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (split unknown)
Region/G.I.: Southern NSW, Canberra District
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 13.9%
Bouquet: Dark chocolate syrup, plum and a hint of vanilla
Flavour: Drying tannins dominate mid palate and a full body of fruit (more toward blueberry than the plum in the nose). The acidity in this wine is a little high making the wine slightly aggressive overall
Points: 83
Notes: Part of a recent mixed case. $15.82 (~284 Kc). This continues my experience of not finding excellent Cab/Merlot blends from Australia's cool climate regions.

Mockingbird Hill 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

General: I wanted something to go with a bloody steak for dinner and thought this would do
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec (split unknown)
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Fruit bomb - Satsuma plum, white plum with some savoury, green olive paste aromas
Flavour: Definitely young and the tannin is still aggressive with the wine having a very long and very dry finish. Fruit flavours are not as fruity as the nose suggests with thyme and rosemary characteristics competing with the fruity flavours of the nose
Points: 83
Notes: The wine club from where this came is regularly pushing young wines. I will keep the other one for at least a year (hopefully two or more) to see how this develops because it has a lot of potential. Price was $14.57 (~260 Kc)

Penfolds 2000 Bin 389

General: Our post-dinner drink, like our pre-dinner one, was something special. This one brought by a guest
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz
Region/G.I.: Blended from South Australian grapes (Shiraz from McLaren Vale, Cabernet from Limestone Coast)
Vintage: 2000
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Sensuous. Dark chocolate, cocao dust, hints of mulberry, a touch of vanilla.
Flavour: Very smooth and integrated. Every taste brought new flavour combinations with gentle stewed (plum, mulberry) fruit, vanilla and cinnamon. Great length and held together nicely with drying tannins still working magic
Points: 91
Notes: Current vintage is 2009 so it clearly pays to wait.  

Chateau Valtice 2008 Ryzlink rynsky, pozdni sber

General: This was our pre-dinner drink as I'd cooked an Indian curry and we needed this to whet our palate before we hit the hot curry
Variety: Rhine Riesling
Region/G.I.: Region of Moravia, Village of Brod nad Dyji, from the "Brodske strane" vineyard
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 11.5%
Bouquet: An enticing aroma of lemon soothers with hints of honey
Flavour: Refreshing mouth feel with lovely lemon and lime flavours. Surprising length and a touch of minerality. Refreshing and very well balanced
Points: 85
Notes: One of the wines brought across from my friend's recent visit to Oz, which we didn't manage to share while he was here. We raised a glass to him and enjoyed the wine.

Redemption Wines 2010 Merlot

Variety: Merlot
Region/G.I.: Central Ranges, Orange
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Jammy blackcurrant, cloves and a hint of pepper
Flavour: Reasonable length but rather weak in the body. The flavours of a pleasant concoction of fruit according to the nose and some earthy spice are fine. Overall though, the flavour never really takes off and tapers away to something not very exciting to drink
Points: 81
Notes: This is meant to be a celebration of cool climate but I think it probably should have been blended with something with a bit more oomph. $14.57 (~260 kc)

Westend Estate 2009 Calabria Aglianico

General: I had tasted this before and didn't like it. I tasted it today to write up, open my second and final bottle and never buy again
Variety: Aglianico
Region/G.I.: Big Rivers, Rivernia
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Smells a little rusty. Feint aromas of plum
Flavour: Very simple. Some fruit which tastes like a flat fruity soft drink (soda) and a very dry finish. Acidic. Not enjoyable
Points: 79
Notes: Barely drinkable. Another shocker from the group that we tasted during the recent visit.

The Paddock 2009 Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz
Region/G.I.: Although claimed to be from the Hunter Valley, the winemaker's website states that Shiraz is selected from the McLaren Vale region
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14.2%
Bouquet: Thick, plum conserve and white pepper
Flavour: Medium length with a lot of fruit up front with gentle dryness in the finish. Flavour is according to the nose. Nothing wrong with it but I'm underwhelmed. To be frank, it's a little boring. I suspect this is a Hunter Shiraz given the style.
Points: 82
Notes: From a Shiraz mix bought last year. $15.50 (~360 kc). Plenty of other good Shiraz at this price point

Smithbrook 2009 Cabernet Merlot

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (30%)

Region/G.I.: Southwest Australia, Margaret River (WA)

Vintage: 2009

Alcohol: 14.4%

Bouquet: Dried leaves/leafy but definitely not in a green way, some brambly aromas as well.Hints of vanilla in the background. No fruit aromas.

Flavour: Ripe plum fruit with lots of sweet spice flavours (cinnamon, a little clove) and vanilla. Good medium-to-full bodied with cleansing, gentle tannins. A very tasty wine

Points: 84

Notes: This wine is a beauty. Having tasted the last of the Saddler's Cab Sav earlier in the evening, I would only note that it lacks the elegance of that wine which probably should have been scored an extra point higher. Still, this wine was $14.57 (~265 Kc) and seriously enjoyable

Saddler's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

General: Image shown is for Shiraz. Cabernet Sauvignon label is identical in all but varietal name
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Hunter Valley, Hunter, Pokolbin
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: I wouldn't guess Cabernet from the bouquet. It has plum fruit, clove and dried herbs (oregano, thyme) in a rather complex nose
Flavour: Yum - equal measure of savoury, dried herbs with less pronounced fruit than the nose would suggest. Fruit flavour is more to regular, plump cherries. Good drying tannins ensure good length. One criticism of this otherwise excellent wine is that there is a smidgen of alcohol burn
Points: 85
Notes: This is an excellent wine overall. Full price it is $22.00 (~400 Kc) and while not the stereotypical Cab Sav from the Coonawarra region, this complex Hunter Valley wine is delicious

Yarra View 2010 Pinot Noir

General: Possibly from a lovely Pinot last weekend in Orange, I had the taste for a Pinot today...

Variety: Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2010

Region/G.I.: Port Phillip, Yarra Valley (Victoria)

Alcohol: 13.5%

Bouquet: Just ripe plum and briary wood in equal measure

Flavour: Decent length, a bit smokey and gamey with fruit in the background. Not complex but a good quaffer.

Points: 83

Notes: Bought for $11.90 (~200) a year ago, it's a good quaffer

Rosabrook 2008 Shiraz Viognier

Tasted just over a year ago here, I detected menthol in the nose. Otherwise, comments and scoring is the same.

Villa Farnia di Farnese 2009 Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

Varieties: Montepulciano, Trebbiano

Region/D.O.C.: Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

Alcohol: 13.0%

Bouquet: An odd combination of the smelly inside of boots and intense raspberry

Flavour: Full bodied wine with an even mouthfeel. Nice flavours of raspberry cordial with a blackpepper finish

Points: 83

Notes: $13.80 (~250 Kc) from a recent mixed case of Italian reds.

Rock Bare 2008 Tinderbox Shiraz

General: Autumn time and a movement to heavier reds

Variety: Shiraz

Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

Alcohol: 14.5%

Bouquet: An explosion of dense fruit (cherry, ripe plum) with the aroma of a Cherry Ripe chocolate bar

Flavour: Big globs of fruit you can almost chew and some very nice tannins. It does however, lose points for alcohol burn which sadly dampens the overall taste

Points: 81

Notes: Not sure if I am being overly harsh on a style of Shiraz of which I am not a huge fan. Maybe with a bloody steak I'd have a different view. A relative cheapy at $11.25 (~200 Kc) through a wine club

Vasarelli 2009 Currency Creek

General: Following experience from other Australian grown Sangiovese wines that I've tasted, I opened this yesterday and had a glass before re-opening today for a taste. It sat for more than an hour before I tasted today
Variety: Sangiovese
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Brambly, nettles with some earth. Some of those small red berries
Flavour: Good mouthfeel with liquorice, a hint of tar and black tea. Both acidity and some tannin present. Nice drop.
Points: 84
Notes: $12.57 (~225 kc) from a wine club. Bottle here waiting. If drunk immediately after opening the component flavours come across as harsh and clumsily put together. When allowed to sit, the wine is lovely.

Zonte's Footstep 2008 Canto di Lago

General: Enjoyed over the weekend

Varieties: Sangiovese 80%, Barbera 20%

Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, Langhorne Creek

Alcohol: 14.0%

Bouquet: Sweet plum and brambly aromas. Some earth as well.

Flavour: Like other Australian Sangiovese blends, this had to sit for more than an hour to calm down and open up. Nice complexity with an underlying meaty flavour. Very pleasant tannin with only some of the fruit found in the nose present in the mouth. A bit light in the mid-palate.

Points: 84

Notes: At $13.32 (~240 Kc) this is a good change to the usual and a very enjoyable drink

Kilikanoon 2009 Testament Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz
Region/G.I.: Barossa, Barossa Valley
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Brambly (wet sticks) and hints of vanilla and blackberry paste
Flavour: Initially had when too cold resulting in short length and alcohol heat. When back at around 18 degrees the complexity is apparent. Medium length and some good tannin. Other flavours as per bouquet.
Points: 83
Notes: Enjoyable. I could be a tad harsh with the scoring. A bargain through a wine club at $11.67 (~210 Kc)

Tyrell's 2010 Reserve Semillon

General: Looking for something fresh on a hot summer's evening
Variety: Semillon
Region/G.I.: Hunter Valley, Hunter
Alcohol: 10.5%
Bouquet: Lemon zest and the slightest hint of pineapple
Flavour: Good clean cirtus fruit flavours and acidity. Straightforward. Well done.
Points: 83
Notes: Recent purchase from one of the wine clubs. About $15.15 (~270Kc). Good alternative to drinking a Sav Blanc. Plenty of decent white wine on the market though...