Dorio 2012 Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

Variety: Montepulciano
Region/DOC: Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Garnet
Alcohol: 12.0%
Bouquet: Mainly animal/ wet barn aromas
Flavour: Short almost tasteless plummy juice with a sour finish
Points: 75 (3+7+7+4+4+50)

Notes: This was bought as a spare for our Montepulciano tasting in January 2014 and at $9 (~170 Kc) was not expected to be any more than a quaffer. It's only nice feature was its bouquet. There are plenty more quaffers out there. 

d'Arenberg 2001 The Noble

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 2001
Closure: Cork
Colour: Deep copper/brown
Alcohol: 11.0%
Bouquet: Honey, honeycomb, hints of molasses and hints of very ripe pineapple
Flavour: Burnt caramel, pineapple core and orange marmalade. Great length and balance. Richness without being sickly sweet.
Points: 89 (4+8+12+7+8+50)

Notes: The current vintage is 2010 and $20 from the producer. Marius provided this as he bought and didn't like it. I think he expected something sweeter. 

Wine by Brad 2009 Brad Cabernet Merlot

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (split not available. Assumed to be roughly equal)
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, South West Australia
Vintage: 2009
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Garnet
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Eucalypt, tobacco leaf
Flavour: Not much in the body; actually quite weak. Some decent plummy fruit in the mid palate but not much of an ending. A small tingle of tannin.
Points: 82 (3+7+10+6+6+50)

Notes: An OK wine. Having enjoyed some lovely Cab Savs recently, this was ordinary in comparison. I tried the 2008 vintage a year and a half ago and liked it more. $18 (~350 Kc). I'd probably look elsewhere.

Langmeil Winery 2002 "The Freedom" Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz
Region/G.I.: Barossa, Barossa Valley
Vintage: 2002
Closure: Cork
Colour: Dark purple with a brown hue
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Chocolate aromas and lifted raspberry with the smallest hint of mint
Flavour: Rather dull and past its peak. It's short but you get straightforward plummy flavours and the smallest amount of pepper
Points: 83 (4+8+9+6+6+50)

Notes: This started so well with colour and nose impressing. However, it really fell away. According to the maker's website, this should not yet be peaking. It is possible that we did not air this sufficiently. The current vintage 2009 retails for about $92.

Fowles Wine 2011 Plunkett Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: Central Victoria, Strathbogie Ranges
Vintage: 2011
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Cherry with a salmon hue
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Brambly aromas of fresh forest floor
Flavour: Very light bodied with nice raspberry flavour with a touch of wet bark. Straightforward without spice or tannin.
Points: 84 (3+7+11+6+7+50)

Notes: A lovely wine enjoyed over the Easter weekend. $18.33 (~330 Kc). I tasted a Shiraz from this producer back in 2011.

d'Arenberg 1993 The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 1993
Closure: Cork
Colour: Copper
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Blackcurrant preserve (povidla) with liquorice aromas and hints of sweet spices
Flavour: Incredible, smooth and even, with cinnamon and maybe Turkish Delight, gently melded with tongue coating, but delicate fruit according to the nose. Way underneath, a hint of vanilla as well. An amazing, gentle wine.
Points: 90 (4+8+12+8+8+50)

Notes: For our regular tasters this was clearly the winner. The current vintage retails for $19 and I bought this online on an eBay auction for $25 thanks to a recommendation from F. who'd previously bought one. The cork crumbled on opening although it was not soaked all the way through. A quick filter managed to prevent floating pieces in our sample. 

Salitage Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 53%, Merlot 35% and Cabernet Franc 12%
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Pemberton
Vintage: 2005
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Garnet
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Wet cow, red currant, blackcurrant and a hint of mint
Flavour: The fruit flavours of blackcurrants and red currants, are well integrated with hints of smokey wood and grainy tannins, providing a complex and well balanced wine.
Points: 88 (3+8+12+7+8+50)

Notes: For our tasting, this came 2nd overall and was well received, even if there was the hint of wet cow in the nose which some of the group typically run from. F. and I rated it 3rd as we preferred the Huntington wine more. This was an excellent find from my recent online purchase for $20. 

The Warren Winery 2002 Cabernet Merlot

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (split undefined)
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Pemberton
Vintage: 2002
Closure: Cork
Colour: Deep red
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Another nose of strong Eucalypt dominating the nose.
Flavour: Ho-hum. Nothing extraordinary. The fruit (more towards plum) tasted young and the length was short. 

Points: 83 (3+6+10+6+6+50)

Notes: Probably ok on its own but given we'd enjoyed some amazing wines beforehand (as this was 4th in the tasting order), it really didn't compare well. This sells for $15 so it's not exactly reaching for the stars. F. supplied this one and we have tasted a Shiraz Cabernet from them previously. Overall, this ranked 4th and was clearly in the group of weaker three wines tasted on the night.

Huntington Estate 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Central Ranges, Mudgee
Vintage: 2004
Closure: screwcap
Colour: Purple/brown with a brownish hue
Alcohol: 13.2%
Bouquet: Some milk chocolate in the nose, alongside blackcurrant and cocoa dust
Flavour: Dense and complex with blackcurrant, grainy, sawdust like gentle tannins and some tobacco leaf in there as well. A little liquorice on the tongue to add to the complementary array for the taste buds. Not over the top although there is a lot there.
Points: 89 (4+8+12+8+8+50)

Notes:  It is funny that both F. and I had this in second place, although the group ranked it 3rd of our 6 wines. One of the younger wines and under screwcap so not as aged as those under cork, this was a delight. We missed Huntington Estate in our recent trip to Mudgee but will have to add it to the next one. This bottle was given free last year at a tasting in Sydney. Remarkable. Twp days after opening and the last, little half serve is still a delight

Mount Mary 2003 Quintet

Varieties: Exact mix cannot be found online. Wines are made to Bordeaux varieties so for example, in 2011 they did: Cabernet Sauvignon 49%, Merlot 26%, Cabernet Franc 18%, Malbec 5%, Petit Verdot 5
Region/G.I.: Port Phillip, Yarra Valley
Vintage: 2003
Closure: cork
Colour: Garnet
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Strong eucalypt in the nose, making me guess this is a Margaret River Cab wine which tend to suffer from eucalypt aromas, some secondary red currants
Flavour: Balanced but with a quick finish. Sourness in the plummy fruit and some drying herbs as well. No tannin. All over too quickly.
Points: 83 (3+6+11+6+7)

Notes: This ranked 5 of 6 wines tasted. I ranked it last and think that it was not so much past its peak but rather probably did not have much to start with. I am surprised to discover this is an iconic wine with a retail price of $180, current vintage 2010 only $130. Not sure why they try a Bordeaux blend in the area which consistently produces good Pinot Noir. We may drop by in our visit to the Yarra Valley next month.

Balnaves of Coonawarra 1999 Cabernet Merlot

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 95%, Merlot 5%
Region/G.I.: Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Vintage: 1991
Closure: cork
Colour: Garnet
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Fruit in the nose although clearly aged; aromas of stewed plum
Flavour: Uneven in taste so that it starts with some fruit, drops away fairly quickly and is redeemed by a longer finish thanks to tannins still in existence. It's fine but not extraordinary.
Points: 84 (3+6+10+8+7)

Notes: This ranked last of our 6 bottles tasted. I had it at the lower end of my ratings. Standalone it's fine but when compared to some of the others tasted it is clearly not as good. Current vintage (2010) retails for about $28 (580 Kc)

Tim Adams 2007 Cabernet Malbec

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Malbec 20%
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
Vintage: 2007
Colour: Garnet
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: The smallest hint of wet cow, vanilla and blackcurrant. Mellow.
Flavour: Lovely tannin which is the highlight. Short up front but it leads through to blackcurrant and ripe, white plum flavours. Grainy with a delightful finish.
Points: 87 (3+8+12+7+7)

Notes: A very enjoyable wine from the Easter weekend thanks to Marius. About $24 (400 Kc). Now to buy some for me.

Natasha Mooney 2009 La Bise Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: Port Phillip, Yarra Valley
Vintage: 2009
Colour: Dark cherry to brown
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Really wet cow, lifted spices like cardamom
Flavour: Grainy, textural but the flavours themselves are rather simple. It doesn't live up to the expectations built in the nose. Some short raspberry and cherry flavours and pleasant acidity. More quaffer than fine wine.
Points: 84 (3+7+11+6+7)

Notes: Quite ok but I've enjoyed better Pinot Noir recently. Interestingly, the producer's website does not show them continuing with Pinot Noir. I guess I will find out when I visit the Yarra Valley next month. 

The Little Wine Company 2012 Pinot Gris

Variety: Pinot Gris
Region/G.I.: Central Victoria, Goulburn Valley
Vintage: 2012
Colour: Yellow-silver
Alcohol: 12.8%
Bouquet: Just ripe peach skin; green grape skin. 
Flavour: Nice length. Gun flint, dark stones, mineral flavours supported by hints of grapefruit and just ripe white plum skin/flesh and/or white peach skin/flesh.
Points: 84 (3+7+10+7+7)

Notes: Nice Pinot Gris although last month's choice was better. A good one bought at the company's cellar door in the Hunter last year for $20 (360 Kc).

Grosset Wines 2003 Polish Hill Riesling

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
Vintage: 2003
Colour: Rich yellow (although not golden)
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: An elegant balance of petroleum and grapefruit with neither dominating
Flavour: Stunning. Think grapefruit pith and some lime with dry, sourness harmoniously bound together. Nice length as well.
Points: 88 (3+8+12+7+8)

Notes: Marius is second time lucky in bringing a Grosset wine to our tasting, the last time, some 11 months ago, his choice came in last place. This time, he brought a winner. This was delicious and delicate. A joy to drink. Maybe I should have score higher....

B.J. Barry & Son 2000 Jus Hill Riesling

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
Vintage: 2000
Colour: Rich golden yellow
Alcohol: 13.2%
Bouquet: Bottle age/oxidation and hazelnut liquor

Flavour: If there was any doubt that this was oxidated, the taste (or lack of) gave this away. Short and almost tasteless.

Points: X (or if we really had to score 68: 4+7+5+1+1)
Notes: My contribution to a Clare Valley tasting. The dry cork crumbled on opening suggesting it was of poor quality/ the bottle may not have been stored well. Anyway, the wine was clearly oxidated. Sadly, this was one of the wines I tried from a wine shop in Tasmania that sells aged wine. Better luck next time!

Magpie Estate 2002 Grenache Mouvedre

Varieties: Grenache 55%, Mouvedre 45%
Region/G.I.: Barossa
Vintage: 2002
Colour: Browny purple
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Liquorice, peppery plum conserve
Flavour: A gentle progression of plum (juice not flesh) and black pepper. While no tannin at all there is pepper in the finish as well to kick things along. Smooth and very elegant.
Points: (86) 4+8+11+6+7
Notes: Thanks to F., I bought this at an auction on eBay for $11 (~200 Kc). A gamble to buy something aged without its history but for $11, who can really complain.

Scotchmans Hill 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Regions: Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills, AUS 65%, Marlborough NZ 35%
Vintage: 2013
Colour: Pale yellow
Alcohol: 12.0%
Bouquet: Strong passion fruit 
Flavour: Quite nice flavour of passion fruit with a nice sourness to the finish. Relatively short in length.
Points: 83 (3+7+10+6+7+50)
Notes: This is our standard offering at events at work. Quite fine as a quaffer at events. I liked the Pinot Gris from this producer last month.