Hopwood. Charlotte's Farm 2007 Sangiovese

General: This was an "End of Bin" purchase. It's cheap and there is a lottery as to how good it will be. I hope for more luck with my other "End of Bin" purchase...

Variety: Sangiovese

Alcohol: 13.3%

Bouquet: Spices, mainly black pepper and a little earthiness. Nice.

Flavour: Watery. I couldn't get much at all even after waiting a couple of hours. I am guessing it is flawed and in a bad way.

Points: 78

Notes: Yes, it was cheap. Yes, it was not good.

Bremerton Wines. Tamblyn 2007 CabernetShiraz Malbec Merlot

General: Tasted a couple of weeks ago before we were hit with the heatwave.

Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 52%, Shiraz 30%, Malbec 12%, Merlot 6%

Alcohol: 14.5%

Bouquet: Not surprisingly, the Cab wins through. Blackcurrant predominant but spices, particularlyblack pepper also present for a compex nose.

Flavour: Stewed plums in the main. Also blackcurrant. Medium tannins. The alcohol level appears in the mouth.

Points: 84

Notes: This was very enjoyable. It will be interesting to see if the alcohol still appears after another couple of years of ageing.

Trentham Estate. La Famiglia 2005 Nebbiolo

Variety: Nebbiolo

Alcohol: 13.5%

Colour: Rusty red

Bouquet: Overripe mulberry and earthy spices

Flavour: Light bodied but surprisingly long in the mouth. Raspberry is the strongest flavour with a very good spicey, smooth finish.

Points: 83

Notes: This is a lighter style of red to which I normally go for but it is well worth it as it packs quite a punch in flavour.

Wirra Wirra. Scrubby Rise 2007 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot

General: A very good wine which our family enjoyed with a leg of lamb.

Variety: Shiraz 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40% and Petit Verdot 15%

Alcohol: 14.5%

Bouquet: Fresh berries dominant

Flavour: Some spice but more plum at first with solid dryness and gentle tannins that follow. Medium to long on the palate.

Points: 84

Notes: A great buy at $14 (CZK 210) at 1st Choice and even better with a 6 bottle buy. It will be interesting (and enjoyable) to see how this develops further.

De Bortoli. Windy Peak, 2006 Sangiovese

General: A big learning from this tasting => this one needs time to breathe. I initially tasted immediately after opening the bottle and felt all the excitement one gets from a Frankovka. An hour later, I persisted and was rewarded.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Region: King Valley (Victoria)

Bouquet: Jammy, sultanas

Flavour: Medium bodied with good, gentle tannins giving complexity to the initial mouthful of spice

Points: 81

Notes: Purchased from BWS with a regular price of $15.55 (233 Kc) and with a 10% discount due to a six bottle purchase. I actually prefer the De Bortoli Sero Merlot-Sangiovese to this wine.

Piana Del Sole. 2006 Primitivo

General: From the cheap and cheerful range. It contains a fault which does not ruin the flavour but does not add much either.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Region: Salento

Bouquet: Light animal tones and nettles.

Flavour: Medium body. Dry with a technical fault, which was similar to green tones. Elsewhere on the internet, described as chlorine-tasting. In spite of this, balanced.

Points: 78

Notes: From Vintage Cellars at a regular price of $13.00 (195 Kc) and bought at a 20% discount for a six bottle buy.

Long Flat Destinations. 2008 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

General: I struggle to like Pinot Noir. This didn't help.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Bouquet: Almost nothing there.

Flavour: Insipid. Weak and watery.

Points: <75

Notes: -