Vinifera Wines 2009 Graciano

Variety: Graciano
Region/G.I.: Central Ranges, Mudgee
Vintage: 2009
Closure: Screwcap
Colour:  Dense, dark purple
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Aromas of dusty, glazed cherries
Flavour:  Full, fruit heavy wine. Nice acidity and some white pepper amidst the juicy plum flavours. No tannins.
Points: 84 (3+7+11+6+7+50)

Notes:  F provided this over our weekend. It is from one of the Mudgee wineries we enjoyed earlier in the year. Great bbq wine.

Palatine Hills Winery Estate 2012 Iced Wine

Variety: Vidal
Region: Niagara Peninsula, sub appellation: Niagra Lakeshore
Vintage: 2012
Colour:  Rich, golden yellow
Alcohol: 11.5%

Bouquet: Honey, baked apple crumble

Flavour: Lush, honey, burnt sugar (like on the top of creme brulee)/ caramel with a long finish. Decadent throughout without being sickly sweet. Serious stuff.

Points: 90 (4+8+12+8+8+50)

Notes:  This was a present to F who shared it to finish Friday night. I was a big fan of their Cabernet Franc  and from memory, their Meritage was pretty good as well. This was a highlight to end a tough/busy week.

Shadowfax 2004 Sangiovese

Variety: Sangiovese
Region/G.I.: Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
Vintage: 2004
Closure: Screwcap
Colour:  Brickish (almost faded purple)
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bouquet: Dry earth and a surprising amount of plum fruit given its age
Flavour:  Fruitier (plum with a mix of brambly flavours thrown in) than expected without being flabby and some drying tannin. It tasted like a much younger wine. Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)

Notes:  My contribution to Friday night and although enjoyable, I expected a bit more nuance and sophistication for a ten year old wine. Bought earlier this year from an aged wine specialist for $24.30 ~ 440 Kc. Fine but I was aiming for something excellent.

Vasarelli 2010 Cabernet Franc

Variety: Cabernet Franc
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Screwcap
Colour:  Dark purple
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Dense blackcurrant and cinnamon
Flavour:  Very dry, light to medium body with stunning tannin finish. Fruit according to the nose but not overdone.
Points: 85 (3+7+11+7+7+50)

Notes:  F found this and provided it for a Friday night finish to the week. The mouth feel on this was excellent and I would happily drink it every day, although I am aware that it could be considered a little rough and unsophisticated. I have had good results from this producer previously.

Penfolds 2010 Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet

Varieties: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: multiple
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Screwcap
Colour:  Dark purple
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bouquet: Big fruity nose of mulberry and plum and a touch of blackcurrant
Flavour:  Big, rich plummy flavours with hints of cedary tones as part of the flavour explosion. Surprisingly modest tannins gives the wine good length and finish.
Points: 84 (3+6+11+7+7+50)

Notes:  A quaffer to finish my weekend as I prepare for the week ahead. Drinking presents from last year.

Two Rivers 2010 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon (presumably 50/50)
Region/G.I.: Hunter Valley, Hunter
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Screwcap
Colour:  Purple with a darkish pink hue
Alcohol: 12.2%
Bouquet: Equal measure of cedar/cigar box aromas and blackcurrant/hint of tomato vine (The nose is more towards a Cab Sav)
Flavour:  Chewey, chunky tannin is the highlight in the flavour profile as this starts of a little subdued in the mouth with lighter, fruit, again to blackcurrant and slightly bitter red currants. The flavour profile develops as you taste. Satisfying, even if a little quirky.
Points: 84 (3+7+11+7+6+50)

Notes:  I bought this in a mixed case three years ago and have tried the producer before here, with similar results. A solid wine (and better than last night's effort which is now in the freezer to be used for cooking). $15.50~300Kc

Songlines Estate 2010 leylines Cabernet Sauvignon

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/G.I.: Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Vintage: 2010
Closure: Screwcap
Colour:  Purple with a pinkish hue
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bouquet: Rich plum, cedar box with tomato stalk aromas
Flavour:  Rather basic wine with some plummy fruit at the front and dryness in the finish. Unspectacular and boring.
Points: 78 (3+6+9+5+5+50)

Notes:  This producer makes a great Shiraz but this Cab Sav is disastrous. This was cleared out through a wine club I no longer buy from. $10.74 ~ 180 Kc but even in this price range there is much better Cab Sav to find