Cuilleron Gaillard Villard, L'Arzelle Saint Joseph 2000, Rhone, France ($50)

Dark colour. Stone straight on the nose followed by some pleasing roasted meatiness. Smooth mouthfeel with fine tannins. A nice drink that reeked of place.

Giant Steps, Sexton Vineyard Chardonnary 2006, Yarra Valley ($16)

Lovely stuff, smooth floral notes, with a very slight and appealing toastiness. A hint of austerity coming from the right amount opf acidity. An absolute bargain and a wonderful drink

Domaine Vincent Paris, Saint Joseph 2007, Rhone, France ($45)

And wham, in this came. A total mindshift was required from our standard fare to deal with this. On the nose wet stone and later soil. No fruit on the nose whatsoever. Youth gave this wine a race of acidity on the mouth. Needs 2 hours plus to air. A very mineral red and a total detour from our norm.

Chateau de Sergries 2006, Cotes-du-Rhone, France ($25)

A wine to ponder and enjoy as it constantly evolved in the glass. Sometimes cigar box, sometimes dark fruit, and at one point a touch of thyme, but always a silken mouthfeel. Arguably a little thin on the mid-palate. One to contemplate and enjoy with wine fan friends.

Box Stallion, The Enclosure Pinot Noir 2006, Mornington Peninsula ($25ish)

The thing about pinot noir is that your always want the Holy Grail - the perfect wine - and it is only pinot that can give that religious ectasy. near perfection is tolerable. But what about serviceable? No, not really. This wine is serviceable, red cherry being the main thing going on here on the nose and palate. the winer is correct. But it is pinot and it does not rock.

Domane Wachau, Gruner Veltliner 2007, Wachau, Austria ($23)

This grape is beginning to get a bit of hype what with articles in The Age's Epicure. Jancis Robinson mentioned that one has to be careful where in Austria the wine is sourced from. Today's wine was no help. Balanced and tasting somewhere between semillion and gerwurtztramer is was simply okay but unexceptional with balanced honeysuckle (?) notes and verging on semi-sweet.

Box Stallion, Dolcetto 2004, Mornington Peninsula ($17)

Acquired this at the cellar door. The 2006 which we tasted just beforehand was totally different what with its rosemary bouquet. No English country garden here. Stewed cherry and blackberry on the nose and a fair dose of tannin. Probably at its best after one hour of airing when the dustiness came off it leaving a glossy palate experience. 14.6% alcohol has very high, but I couldn't taste the heat one would expect from such levels. For $17 this is good value.