De Bortoli. Deen De Bortoli VAT1 Durif 2007

General: This was fantastic. K will remember Georgian wines so nice and dry that we almost fell off our chairs. This is lovely stuff done in a similar way.

Colour: Deep purple

Bouquet: Plum conserve. Vanilla.

Flavour: Wonderfully dry. Some coffee.

Points: 84

Price was less than $10 (150 Kc) bought at a large retail chain like Liquorland. Will be checking it soon for more.

Geoff Merrill Wines. Mount Hurtle 2007 Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre

General: This is in the cheap and cheerful range but offered quite a surprise.

Colour: Purple

Bouquet: Vanilla and coffee

Flavour: Coffee and chocolate. Although well balanced, the tannin was slightly raw.

Points: A very merry 81

Notes: $7.99 (120 Kc) from 1st Choice

Jacob's Creek Three Vines Shiraz Cabernet Tempranillo 2007

Jacob's Creek Three Vines Shiraz Cabernet Tempanillo 2007

This was advertised in the Australian wine magazine that we shared and I was keen to taste it. The combination works although it tastes young and needs time to settle. I particularly liked the dryness of the Tempranillo which lingered after the initial spicy fruit flavours. I will store a few bottles and see how it tastes in one and two year's time. I am very hopeful.

Tyrell's Wines Pinot Noir 2008

Tyrell's Wines Pinot Noir 2008

The bottle still has wine in it so you can guess that this was not a favourite. Sure, it had the right colour but it was like drinking cherry flavoured water. It is described as "soft" but I found it lacking in anything beyond its basic cherry flavour. I won't be buying this one again.

Penola Estate Coonawarra 2006 Shiraz

Penola Estate Coonawarra 2006 Shiraz

I tasted this wine during my last visit in September and enjoyed it again last Friday. This is a great drinking wine now. It is wonderfully balanced with ripe cherry, restrained tannins and some lovely oak for complexity. It packs a lot of taste and is a winner at a retail price of around $13. I will definitely be keeping these stocked in the cellar for regular use.