Giant Steps Sexton, Harry Monster 2004 (Bordeaux Blend), Yarra Valley ($20)

Last reviewed in 2008. Picked a half dozen up in the end of financial year sale at Giant Steps at a mere $20 rather than the usual $45. Ideally needs two hours to air in a decanter to really rock. My lesson from this bottle was that while still nice, it should not have been drunk after the palate assault rendered by a big primitivo with full on Aussie style fruit concentration like the Sutherland's Creek we had that night. Harry's Monster is a really good Bordeaux blend with good complexity, brooding darkly compared to the that primitivo. Very, and at $20, very good value.

Sutherlands Creek, Primitivo 2006, Geelong ($11)

An OMG moment when we had the first bottle of this a week ago. And strange that I wrote in February that there was no Aussie primitivo, and was having to rely on Italian fare (have never seen Californian Zinfandel in this country). Found this in 6J's aside Prahan Market. A thick dark purple, the second bottle remained strong on vanilla but more pronounced on plum flavours instead of the blackberry flavours experienced on bottle #1. Pat thought there was a little raspberry bouquet thing going on. Bloody good stuff.

Anderson, "Melanie' Sweet Shiraz 2005, Rutherglen ($?)

Must admit to usually being somewhat pessimistic about table wines from Rutherglen and Heathcote, the flavours are too full on and not to my liking. This works though, a nice pudding wine thick on the mouth with even chocolate and licorice flavours. Enjoyable. Cellar door mail order sales only.

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.