Vintage Cellars 2011 Chalkboard Pinot Noir (produced by Peregrine Wines)

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Central Otago, NZ
Vintage: 2011
Colour:  crimson orange
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Rich aromas of cherry, blackcurrant with secondary forest floor (wood about to rot) smells
Flavour: Follows the nose by having rich fruit flavour, some cardamom and hints of cinnamon. Some gentle tannin to finish. Nice even length and surprisingly elegant.
Points: 84 (3+7+10+7+7+50)

Notes:  While I personally enjoy a less fruitier style of Pinot, this is well made and lovely. About $17 ~320 Kc ensures it is reasonably priced.

Alpha Box & Dice 2011 Tarot

Varieties: Grenache 70%, Shiraz 20% and Tempranillo 10%
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 2011
Colour:  Ruby red
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Tar, liquorice and raspberry soft lollies (sweets)
Flavour: Light, savoury notes of twigs, drying herbs with some raspberry fruit in the mix as well. No real tannins and decent acidity.
Points: 84 (3+7+11+6+7+50)

Notes:  Enjoyable Friday night wine. Flavour profile is lively. Pity it didn't see some oak. $20 ~ 360 Kc

Los Hermanos Manzanos 2007 Reserva (Rioja)

Variety: Tempranillo 100%
Region: Rioja
Vintage: 2007
Colour:  Ruby red
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Vanilla and regular cherry clearly in the nose
Flavour: A little peppery and tarry. Sour cherry in the mix as well. Nice complexity. Good length.
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)

Notes:  Quote enjoyable wine from our tasting and well liked. $17.32 ~ 346 Kc

Pagos de Tahola 2006 Reserva (Rioja)

Varieties: Tempranillo 100%
Region: Rioja
Vintage: 2005
Colour:  Browny red
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Rather bland which was a surprise. Some oak to be sure and sour cherry fruit but rather feint
Flavour: Fruitier style of Rioja. Light bodied, particularly on the mid-palate. A short finish as well. Not complex. Fruit is toward sour cherry.
Points: 75 (3+5+9+4+4+50)

Notes:  The loser of our Rioja tasting. It was basic with not much in offer, especially when compared to the other wines tasted. $17.32 ~ 346 Kc

Berberana 2005 Gran Reserva (Rioja)

Varieties: Tempranillo 80%, Garnache 20%
Region: Rioja
Vintage: Gran Reserva
Colour:  Browny red
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Lovely nose which includes subtle vanilla with faded fruit (fallen cherries in the field) aromas
Flavour: Very even, gentle and elegant. The flavours are balanced, restrained and a lovely blend of drying cherries, a hint of pepper and a touch of drying tannins.
Points: 89 (4+7+12+8+8+50)

Notes:  The winner of our Rioja tasting which had the requirement of being a reserva or gran reserva. Added to the delight was the fact that this was the cheapest bottle in our collection. At about $15.00 (~280 Kc) it was the clear winner.

Plantagenet 2008 Hazard Hill Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Great Southern
Vintage: 2008
Colour:  Ruby red
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Dense, dark plum jam paste and overripe blueberry with a hint of spearmint
Flavour: Unsurprisingly, very nice and smooth. There is an even spread of dense satsuma (light fleshed) plum evenly matched with Turkish delight and cinnamon flavours. An end note of mint at the front of the tongue which lingers pleasantly.
Points: 87 (3+7+12+7+8+50)

Notes:  Nicely ageing wine which is an elegant delight. Bought 3 years for $11.39 (~205 Kc). A handy Shiraz to have around if in the mood for Shiraz

Trentham 2011 Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: Big Rivers
Vintage: 2011
Colour:  Translucent copper red
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Wet, decaying wood with raspberry and cherry thick jam with a hint almost a spearmint aroma in the end
Flavour: Not as complex as the nose but done well. Good cherry flavour with some gentle tannins. An even, balanced and consistent flavour profile. 
Points: 84 (3+7+11+6+7+50)

Notes:  Another from the Trentham family, this is very good in terms of price/quality. At around $14 (~250 Kc) this is very nice. True, its flavour is rather straightforward but its nose is fantastic. A surprise from the irrigated wine region.

Dona Javiera 2011 Carmenere

Region: Maipo Valley, Chile
Vintage: 2011
Colour:  Ruby red
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: A little vegetal, like dried tomato vine and something almost minty

Flavour: Medium to full bodied, lush plum fruit, white pepper and with powerful and slightly wild tannins.
Points: 82.5 (3+6+10+7+6.5+50)

Notes:  I think this is the first Carmenere I've tried here. Found it in an obscure wine shop. Initially this almost knocked my head off. It's big and tough. Would go great with a juicy steak or lamb chops. At $17 (~300 Kc) it's an interesting change but there is probably better stuff available. In Europe it appears to have a different etiquette (see for example the Polish website: http://www.bazar-smaku.pl/?97,dona-javiera-carmenere  

Pikes 2009 Clare Valley Shiraz Cabernet

Varieties: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
Vintage: 2009
Colour:  Deep, ruby red
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Liquorice and a little tar. Black olive paste.
Flavour: Medium bodied, black pepper, plummy fruit which seemlessly moves to very pleasant, drying tannins with dried rosemary.
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)

Notes:  I took this camping earlier in the year and enjoyed it immensely. A lovely wine which doesn't claim to be premium but packs a lot of punch. At $15 (300 Kc) it is well priced.