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.