Centennial Vineyards 2010 Bong Bong (Red)

Varieties: Shiraz and Tempranillo
Regions/G.I.s: South Coast, Southern Highlands and Southern New South Wales, Hilltops
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.0%
Colour: Dark purple with a purple-brown hue
Bouquet: pepper, plum, chocolate, mint
Flavour: plum and cherry fruit with some mint and menthol. A very gentle tannin. Medium bodied and even.
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes:  For a wine that doesn't take itself seriously, this has a lot of character. Some of the fruit from Hilltops, a small region of which I am a big fan

Oyster Bay 2014 Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Vintage: 2013
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13.0%
Colour: Lime yellow colour
Bouquet: Piercing gooseberry that is the hallmark of this style
Flavour: Freshly squeezed lemon with some mineral in the finish. Excellent acidity.
Points: 86 (3+7.5+11+7+7.5+50)
Notes:  In the range of $15-$18 in Australia now. This was once the most popular drink here and I think it is great. Forget the critics, if you want to enjoy this style of wine, this is a great example.

Cuttaway Hill Wines 2013 Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: South Coast, Southern Highlands (NSW)
Vintage: 2013
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 13.0%
Colour: Purple-orange/ orange hue
Bouquet: Dusty, bark, smoke and crushed cherries
Flavour: Smokey, ripe cherry and some tannin giving it good length. Star anise and a hint of tar. Complex. A lot there
Points: 87 (4+7+12+7+7+50)
Notes:  Bought this earlier this year when visiting the wine cellar. Oddly, their collection of other wines were average but the Pinot shines. $28~505Kc cellar door price 

Lake George Winery 2012 Riesling

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I.: Canberra District
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 11.5%
Colour: Yellow grey
Bouquet: Petroleum tones underlying fresh cut lemons
Flavour: Lemon water which gives way to some mineral tang. Easy transition if a little too quick
Points: 83 (3+6.5+10+6+6.5+50)
Notes:  A little simple. Bought at cellar door. The place was pretty.

Shaw + Smith 2015 Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
Vintage: 2015
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 12.5%
Colour: Lime/pale yellow
Bouquet: Passionfruit prominent in this ripe tropical nose
Flavour: Lemon and lemon pith with a pleasant sourness to finish. Balanced and even. Good lingering finish aided by the sourness
Points: 86 (3+7.5+11+7+7.5+50)
Notes: A fresh, perfect summer wine for our dinner from the one region in Australia which does this nicely (along with Pinot Gris). At the pricier end of the market at $25 ~ 450Kc so they must be suffering given the glut of this style of Sauvignon on the market

Andean Vineyards 2013 The Waxed Bat

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 14.5%
Colour: Deep Purple-to-almost-brown
Closure: Cork
Bouquet: Some menthol, mulberry and dry bark aromas
Flavour: Plummy flavours with plenty of juicy tannin giving very nice length. Some peppery undertones in the mix as well as the smallest amount of alcohol burn. A lot to take in.
Points: 83 (3+6.5+10+7+6.5+50)
Notes: Big and bold for an early week Christmas tipple with a mate who enjoys Malbec. The menthol in the nose and slight burn tarnished it for me. ABout $15.60~280Kc bought earlier this year. I have a 2010 floating around somewhere and should find it

Spring Seed Wibe Co 2013 Aster Pinot Noir

Variety: Pinot Noir
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 14.0%
Colour: Purple-red
Closure: Screwcap
Bouquet: Some musty, barnyard undertones that is balanced by raspberry aromas
Flavour: A little tarry with nice tannin in the mid-palate. In a heavy style with dense mulberry and raspberry flavours. Blind tasting I would not guess this to be Pinot. Nice length.
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes: I enjoyed this slightly chilled given the heat here. It was not recognisable as a Pinot but was enjoyable thanks to its tarry features and length. From a region known for big reds. $16.80~300Kc.
 

Wynns 2013 Coonawarra Estate Riesling

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I.: Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 12.0%
Colour: Lime yellow
Closure: Screwcap
Bouquet: Lemon pith and hard lemon lollies (candies) 
Flavour: Lovely length with balanced, lingering sourness giving making this a refreshing drink for this hot summer night. The fruit flavour is more toward white grapefruit. Very nice tartness.
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes: Possibly the first Riesling I've tried from one of Australia's best Cab Sav regions. Surprisingly good and good value $15.50~280.
 

Stoneleigh 2014 Sauvignon Blanc

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Vintage: 2014
Alcohol: 14.0%
Colour: Pale yellow
Closure: Screwcap
Bouquet: Passionfruit with some tropical aromas of guava
Flavour: Crisp, even passionfruit flavour with a lemon finish. Simple and refreshing
Points: 83 (3+7+10+6+7+50)
Notes: Simple but good. Nice way to end the weekend
 

Castello di Gabbiano 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva

Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Chianti Classico
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 14.0%
Colour: Dark purple with purple hue
Closure: Cork
Bouquet: Liquorice is the first thing one smells, followed by cherry jam, some tar and savoury, dry spice including the lifted aroma of cardamom
Flavour: Excellent length with a thick and generous tannin coating the tongue from the first sip. The flavours from the bouquet are well integrated and gentle. A lot of flavour there without being overwhelming.
Points: 89.5 (4+8+12+7.5+8+50)
Notes: My bbq finished with this yesterday and I have a little for retasting on Sunday night. What a way to finish the weekend. Lovely. Bought as a shareholder discount as it is distributed in Australia through one of our large, listed wine companies. $22~396Kc.
 

Alpha Box & Dice 2008 Grenache

V brought this to my bbq yesterday and it was big hit. We tasted it last year and the commentary is still relevant.

Taylors 2013 Jaraman Riesling

Varieties: Riesling
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley and Barossa, Eden Valley
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 12.0%
Colour: Lime yellow
Closure: Screwcap
Bouquet: A whiff of petroleum with underlying ripe lime
Flavour: Long, lime and chalky flavours. Decent, medium body and very nice length.
Points: 85.5 (3+7.5+11+7+7+50)
Notes: I've enjoyed the Jaraman series while out and about previously. This is a lovely example from Australia's best Riesling regions. Bought on clearance $20~360Kc
 

Dalfarras 2008 Pinot Grigio Viognier

Varieties: Pinot Grigio, Viognier
Region/G.I.: Central Victoria, Goulburn Valley, Nagambie Lakes
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 14.0%
Colour: Metallic yellow
Closure: Screwcap
Bouquet: Some aged tones, cooked pear
Flavour: Pleasant mineral flavours with not much else. Rather short and simple
Points: 81 (3+6+10+6+6+50)
Notes: This is beyond its best. I have the 2007 earlier this year and was a fan. I pulled this out at a bbq last night but didn't serve after tasting it. $10.44~187Kc
 

J. Opi aka Rodolfo Sadler 2013 Malbec

Variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Vintage: 2013
Closure: Cork
Colour: Purple with much lighter purple hue
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Very strong blackcurrant aromas, some liquorice
Flavour: A very big rush of fruit that is chewey, fruit according to the nose and velvety, round tannins at the front of tongue and in the cheeks. Very well balanced and some earthy spice as well, like cinnamon
Points: 87 (3+8+11+7.5+7.5)
Notes: A lovely big wine that is done very well
$15.66~280Kc

Quinta das Mouras de Arraiolos 2012 Reserva

Varieties: Shiraz and Trincadeira
Region: Alentejano
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Cork
Colour: Inky, dense purple
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Big nose of ripe plum and regular cherry flesh as well as oak 
Flavour: A big rush of fruit, New World style that moves quickly to a tight finish that is nicely balanced with acidity and soft tannin. Overall, it's a quick transition and there is not much in terms of length of depth
Points: 85 (3+8+11+6+7)
Notes: Perfectly gluggable for a Friday evening drink to finish the week. $14.80~266Kc

Yabby Lake 2010 Red Claw Chardonnay

Variety: Chardonnay
Region/G.I.: Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Straw yellow
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Ripe lemon, hints of pineapple
Flavour: Pear skin and lemon drops flavours. Some sourness and no acidity. Not particularly pleasant
Points: 80 (3+7+9+5.5+5.5)
Notes: Probably not worth the wait. Bought this 3 years ago. $14.60~265Kc

 

Chateau Florie Aude 2010 Bordeaux

Varieties: Merlot 85% and Cabernet Sauvignon 15%
Region: Bordeaux AOC
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Cork
Colour: Deep purple with a tinge of brown
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Dark chocolate, mulberry, plum conserve and the smallest amount of menthol
Flavour: Great length. Full bodied with fruit according to the nose and very gentle, rounded tannins.
Points: 89 (4+8+12+7+8+50)
Notes: I bought this as part of a generic Bordeaux pack a couple of years ago and the others haven't been great. This was truly the exception. The complexity excellent. About $21~275Kc
 

Chateau du Trignon 2004 Le Bossu

Originally tasted in February 2014, this time around the bottle was bad. The wine was well beyond its best and would not be scored. Bouquet and flavour not tainted. No real bouquet and flavour at all

Le Rocher des Violettes 2012 Cabernet Franc

Variety: Cabernet Franc
Region: Touraine
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Cork
Colour: Garnet
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Dusty, blackcurrant, dry leaves and bramble
Flavour: Excellent length on this medium bodied wine. Flavour is even with a pleasant combination of fruit and tartness. Fruit flavours of blackcurrant and red currants. Tannin in balance with tartness. Held together nicely.
Points: 86.5 (3+7.5+11.5+7+7.5+50)
Notes: Originally tasted and bought at a French wine tasting earlier this year. A lovely drop. $26~466Kc

Bloodwood 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

We couldn't resist and enjoyed this as one of the final wines before my friend moved to his new flat. Decided to drink this last bottle and make another trip to the winery to get more. Tasted a couple of months ago and it rings true.

Alambrado 2013 Malbec Tempranillo

Variety: Malbec, Tempranillo
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Vintage: 2013
Closure: Plastic cork
Colour: Deep purple
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Plum, wet forest floor
Flavour: Red berries, blackcurrant, tobacco leaf flavours. Medium body, nice tannin and short-medium length.
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes: Lovely wine for steaks on Tuesday night. $16.40~300Kc. Bought especially for the friend staying with me who is a Malbec fan.

Olive Farm Wines 2013 Malbec

Variety: Malbec
Region/G.I.: Greater Perth, Swan District, Swan Valley
Vintage: 2013
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Deep purple
Alcohol: 13.9%
Bouquet: Very weak. Possibly a little plum.
Flavour: The combination of tannin and plum is good although not amazing. Decent body and length.
Points: 82 (3+5+11+7+6+50)
Notes: Scored similarly to the Petit Verdot bought from the same place.
 

de Iuliis 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

Final bottle of this lovely wine. Notes from last year the same although overall, it's probably an 87. Shared with the same friend from last year.

Saint Clair Family Estate 2012 Pinot Gris

I first enjoyed this wine two years ago. Looking at the description and tasting it again, I would say the description is still valid. No ageing after two years although I guess the screwcap is keeping this to a very slow pace. A lovely drop for a Thursday night.

Tenuta Lamiata 2008 Brunello di Montalcino

Another special occasion with my friend completing a house purchase and cause for a special wine to celebrate. Notes from last year applicable.

O'Leary Walker Wines 2010 Riesling

Variety: Riesling
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley, Watervale
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Limey-yellow
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Limey,wet chalk and lemon
Flavour: Even, lemon and lime flavours with mellow acidity. Clearly not a young wine although I wouldn't think it's 5 years old
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes:  I've had this a couple of years and it cost $17.85~325. From one of the most consistent Riesling regions in th Australia. R, requested Riesling tonight and this delivers

Tasting notes from producer
 

Imaginacio by Masperla 2006

Varieties: Garnacha and Carinena
Region: Priorat
Vintage: 2006
Closure: Cork
Colour: Purple-copper
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Ripe cherry, oak and blackcurrant
Flavour: A rush of fruit according to the nose with a move to a very long, tannic finish with tingles the front of the tongue. Good acidity giving this great poise.
Points: 88 (4+7+11.5+8+7.5+50)
Notes: I would never guessed that this is so old. It was lively for such an old wine

Pillastro 2010 Primitivo Negroamaro

Varieties: Primitivo Negroamaro
Region: Puglia
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Corkap
Colour: Dark purple/ almost inky
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Sour cherry, oak, soft liquorice
Flavour: Lovely, full oak and thick fruit; balanced very nicely with an acidity keeping this fresh. A long, gentle finish. Full but with a quick transition. After a couple of hours, it is silky smooth and incredibly harmonious
Points: 87 (3+7+12+7.5+7.5+50)
Notes:  $19.80~360 Kc. Excellent way to end the week. 

The Little Wine Company 2010 Tempranillo

Same notes apply from June last year

Bloodwood 2009 Maurice

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (% unknown and component grapes change from year to year)
Region/G.I.: Central Ranges, Orange
Vintage: 2009
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Dark purple with a slightly lighter purple hue
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Tobacco leaf, cardamom (bitterness)
Flavour: Full, spicy fruit of blackberry and blackcurrant and long, even tannins. Fantastic feel around the mouth. The spices are more to those in North African cooking (cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, pepper)
Points: 88.5 (4+7.5+12+7+8+50)
Notes: These Bloodwoods have been great and my friend who has tasted these with me has been asking for more. In retrospect these wines are probably 90 or 91 point wines. I still think that the straight Cab is the best of the 2009 pick but the three reds tasted have different, appealing characters
 

Coka Vinarija 2012 Zdcepcevo krv

Varieties: Vranac, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamet, Muscat or Ottonel
Region: Serbia
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Cork
Colour: Dark red
Alcohol: 11.3%
Bouquet: Almost no aroma. Smallest amount of aged plum
Flavour: Odd. It tasted more like gluggy fruit (plum pulp) juice with some medicinal herbs thrown in. No length or tannin. 
Points: X (ie less than 80 and I would not buy again)
Notes: I did not like this at all. Interesting to try but won't be getting again. $12~216Kc

Parri Street 2004 Pangkarra Cabernet Sauvignon (Cleanskin)

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 2004
Colour: Medium/Light purple with much lighter purple hue
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Almost no aromas
Flavour: Excellent dusty, blackcurrant fruit with tobacco leaf flavours in the mix. The tannins are long and impressive for this old wine. Medium to heavy body which finishes very long
Points: 84 (4+4+11+8+7+50)
Notes: Interesting that when I tasted this years ago, it had nose which was better than the nose. It's clearly evolved and the flavours are fantastic. Pity that it has no nose. For the $10.74 (~195 Kc) it's a bargain. No image as this is a cleanskin.  

Tenuta di Somaro 2011 Aglianico-Primitivo

Varieties: Aglianico, Prrimitivo
Region: Puglia
Vintage: 2011
Closure: Cork
Colour: Dark purple with a slightly lighter hue
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Barnyard and wet cow, smoky and char aromas, stewed plum
Flavour: Lush and long, dense flavours according to the nose with an excellent, even body aided by acidity and very soft tannins. Long.
Points: 89 (3+8+12+8+8+50)
Notes: Excellent, big wine for the end of the week. Recently bought two from 2013 to add to the collection. About $17~300Kc from an online wine club
 

Brand's Laira 2012 Marching Captain

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Region/G.I.: Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Dark purple with a slightly lighter hue
Alcohol: 14.6%
Bouquet: Wood (oak), rich plum and the smallest hint of wet cow/animal
Flavour: Big, rounded, blackcurrant with a long, lingering finish. The transition is straightforward and not complex. A little clinical in the transition but on all measures it stacks up
Points: 86 (3+7+11+8+7+50)
Notes: Enjoyed last Friday to end the week. $17.77~320Kc 

Follet's Lake Breeze 2012 Bullant

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, Langhorne Creek
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Purple with slightly purple hue
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Strong blackcurrant aromas with a hint of just cut capsicum
Flavour: Very even, medium to full bodied wine that transitions seemlessly to from fruit to gentle, lingering tannins. Initial flavours according to the hose with some drying rosemary part of the finish. Excellent balance.
Points: 87 (3+7.5+11+7.5+8+50)
Notes: About $18~325Kc wine. Balance is very nice and well above your average wine in a random case from the wine club
 

Leconfield 2013 Shiraz

Variety: Shiraz
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 2013
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Purple with slightly purple hue
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Plummy nose, like thick, plum paste (povidla)
Flavour: Fruit according to the nose, sticking to the mouth and almost liquorice like, with strong cedar flavours as part of milder, round tannins. A lot of body and unusual for Shiraz
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes: A $20~360Kc wine, which was won last week at a work function. I'm a fan of this fuller bodied style of Shiraz
 

A. Retief 2010 The Cabernets

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 55%, Petit Verdot 30%, Malbec 10%, Merlot 5%
Region/G.I.: Southern New South Wales, Tumbarumba
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Dark purple with marginally lighter hue
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Lots of fruit, blackcurrant, plum, cinnamon and stewed pear
Flavour: Fruit according to the nose, with long, woody tannins. In a fruiter, new world style with an elegant finish. . The long finish a highlight
Points: 87.5 (3+7+11+8+7.5+50)
Notes: About $30~530Kc bought from the producer online. From the cherry region of NSW, this is excellent. A region to watch.

The Islander Estate 2012 The Red

Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sangiovese and Shiraz
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Purple to copper with a copper hue
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Tar, tobacco leaf and maybe blackcurrant
Flavour: Complex flavours of tobacco leaf, some cedar and dried cranberry. Overall, savoury with good solid tannin and somewhat surprisingly, acidity.
Points: 86 (3+7+11.5+7.5 +7+50)
Notes: Tasted at a wine bar in Sydney last year, I enjoyed this quirky wine because it is very different to regular, fruit bombs and more unusually, comes from Kangaroo Island which is a small wine region anyway. At $20~360Kc it's an excellent, alternative change to the norm
 

Olive Farm Wines 2011 Petit Verdot

Variety: Petit Verdot
Region/G.I.: Greater Perth, Swan District, Swan Valley
Vintage: 2011
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Garnet
Alcohol: 13.9%
Bouquet: Really not much in the nose. Very feint hints of gravel and plum skins
Flavour: The highlight is the tannic finish which is long. To get there, rich, chewy, mulberry fruit is in abundance. Not super complex but tasty.
Points: 82 (3+5+11+7+6+50)
Notes: When visiting the Swan Valley in March 2015 is was a nice surprise to find Petit Verdot in quite a few places there. This misses a bouquet which is disappointing given the lovely flavour profile which follows. $25 ~ 450Kc from the cellar door.

H J Fabre 2013 Malbec

Variety: Malbec
Region: Rio Negro, Patagonia
Vintage: 2013
Closure: Cork
Colour: Dark purple with marginally lighter hue
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Hint of barnyard aromas underlying ripe, dark plum fruit
Flavour: Tobacco leaf, mulberry, dry bark and savoury, drying herb/bay leaf flavours. Very savoury. Smallest touch of tannins
Points: 87 (3+8+11+7+8+50)
Notes: Bought when I knew my friend, a Malbec fan would be returning. A very savoury wine with surprisingly little tannin. Will be interesting to see how this ages. Bought for $20.66~375Kc
 

Chateau du Cedre 2011 Malbec

Variety: Malbec
Region: Cohors
Vintage: 2011
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Dark purple with marginally lighter hue
Alcohol: 13.0%
Bouquet: Menthol, over-ripe kiwi
Flavour: Fruit and some wood builds up to a long finish with juicy tannins. Very long.
Points: 85 (3+7+10+8+7+50)
Notes: A little lull in the flavour profile but the length is fantastic. $23~410Kc bought at a tasting earlier in the year

 

Zonte's Footstep 2008 Canto di Lago

This is fabulous wine. Tasting notes from last year applicable and might give it a point or two overall to 87-88. Sadly, this was the last one. Bought in 2012. Will have to track down a few more.

Brothers in arms vineyards 2009 Formby & Adams Leading Horse Cabernet Sauvignon

The friend I first tasted this with is back and we've enjoyed it again. Notes from last year still applicable.

Chateau Beau-Puits 2010 Bordeaux

Varieties: Merlot 70%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%
Region: Bordeaux
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Cork
Colour: Purple-copper with a copper hue
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Fruity blackcurrant and fresh bark
Flavour: Fruit according to the nose with some rosemary and thyme. It is acidic and almost has no tannin. Ordinary. 
Points: 80 (3+6+10+5+6+50)
Notes: Fairly ordinary wine at $15.60~280 Kc

Majella 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I: Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Vintage: 2009
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Dark-purple
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Dusty, tobacco leaf and red currant aromas
Flavour: Good blackcurrant fruit, some woody oak and very good length. Tannins are joined by the smallest amount of capsicum
Points: 86 (4+8+11+7+7+50)
Notes: No record of when I got this
 

Massivo 2012 Nero D'Avola

Variety: Nero D'Avola
Region: Terre Sicialiane IGT
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Cork
Colour: Dark-purple/almost black with purple hue
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Soft liquorice, peppermint, thick sour cherry conserve (povidla) 
Flavour: Big, dense fruit flavours more toward plum than cherry with long, thick coating tannins that are complimented with an acidity in the wine that keeps it alive in spite of this wine's weight. Chewy with maybe a touch of mint in the front of the mouth as well.
Points: 87 (4+7+11.5+7+7.5+50)
Notes: A very big wine for a random Tuesday night. Very satisfying all round. About $20~360 Kc here from a wine club about one year ago

Dominique Percereau 2010 Prestíge des Poupelines

Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot and Gamay (split unknown although should be mostly Cabernet Franc)
Region: Touraine-Amboise AOC
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Cork
Colour: Red-purple
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bouquet: Gravel, pepper, smoke and a hint of plum
Flavour: Largely according to the nose. Medium body but the excellent acidity stands out. Not much in the way of tannin although good dryness throughout
Points: 87 (3+7+12+7+8+50)
Notes: A friend brought this from a trip to France earlier this year. When tasting today I thought it might be Syrah but checking now proves it to be Cab Franc. Very enjoyable.

Jackson Estate 2010 Vintage Widow Pinot Noir

After some disappointing Pinots, this old favourite delivered in spades. Notes from previous tastings still relevant. Sadly, it was my last bottle.

Bloodwood 2009 Cabernet Franc/Malbec

Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Malbec (% unknown)
Region/G.I.: Central Ranges, Orange
Vintage: 2009
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Dark purple with a slightly lighter purple hue
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Candied cranberry, lavender and cherry ripe
Flavour: Full bodied, leather, dusty and tobacco leaf flavours with long, even tannins. Very long and very well integrated balance. Soft on the tongue
Points: 88.5 (4+7.5+12+7+8+50)
Notes: The Cab Sav from earlier in the week is marginally better in my opinion but it is very, very close. Great wine

Foronda 2008 Reserva Rioja

Variety: Tempranillo
Region: Rioja
Vintage: 2008
Closure: Cork
Colour: Purple with a turn of brown
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Clove,plum
Flavour: Lighter bodied, overall quite savoury wine with fruit and spices (clove, rosemary) well integrated and seemless. Good acidity and gentle tannins. Not overly complex but well done.
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes: From a mixed case bought earlier this year. At $17.60~300Kc, it good local value (although would be obviously cheaper across Europe). A good drop for a week night
 

Bloodwood 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Central Ranges, Orange
Vintage: 2009
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Brown tinged purple
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Chocolate, plum, blackcurrant and a touch of cedar as well
Flavour: Tasting much younger than the nose suggests, a balanced wine which provides fruit according to the nose fill the mouth followed soon after by long, lingering and gentle tannins. Some spice in the tannin as well. Excellent.
Points: 89 (4+8+12+7+8+50)
Notes: This was the best winery we visited in our last trip to Orange in April 2015. A brooding wine that is a joy to taste.

Ascencion 2012 Malbec

 
 

Variety: Malbec
Region: Salta, Argentina
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Cork
Colour: Deep purple
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Animal (wet cow) tones as a strong underlay to the cherry aromas

Flavour: Full mouth of cherry, vanilla and even hints of dark chocolate. Soft tannins. A little short given its weight.

Points: 84 (3+7+11+6+7+50)
Notes: About $15.60~280Kc. Enjoyable, if not quite living up to enticing nose

Houghton 2012 Crofters Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: South West Australia, Great Southern, Franklin River
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Screwcap
Colour: Deep purple
Alcohol: 13.50%
Bouquet: Piercing blackcurrant, tobacco leaf
Flavour: Full flavoured Cab according to nose with very long, even tannins. The tobacco leaf characteristics are very enjoyable, providing savoury elegance and it doesn't suffer from any hint of eucalypt which so often tarnishes WA Cabs in this price range
Points: 86 (3+7+11+8+7+50)
Notes: About $18~324Kc
 

The Forefather 2012 Gran Selecion Malbec Shiraz

Varieties: Malbec Shiraz
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Vintage: 2012
Closure: Cork
Colour: Dark purple
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Complex aromas of dense, squash mulberries, ripe dark fig, hint of soaked wood and a touch of soft liquorice
Flavour: Full bodied with huge dollops of fruits which ease into very mild tannins which line one's fruit soaked cheeks. Some menthol flavours as well. Medium length.

Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)
Notes: Slightly less complex in the flavour but a really solid wine in the new world style. $15.60~280Kc representing good value for a very nice wine