Mike Press, Shiraz 2009, Adelaide Hills ($11)

For all the reviews and the 'great value' comments one sees about this, the 2009 does not rock my boat. I think there is something very slightly disjointed about this wine (the 2007 rocked though). After tasting the Rathdowne Cellars 2009 Cleanskin earlier this year I'm beginning to think the South Australia had a bad 2009 vintage. Justa little nuance of sultana going on - grapes overripe?

Brookland Valley, Chardonnay 2009, Margaret River ($30)

Impressive. These higher end Margaret River chardys are really impressive. Good bouquest, balanced honeysuckle on the nose and palate. Great structure. I was worried that teh youth of this would be an impediment. Not now. Drinking great with San Danielle and soft cheese. Would say that the Voyager Estate stuff is a notch better - probably a more defined structure, but still this is good stuff.

Penfolds, St Henri Shiraz, 2001 ($40?)

Well, at $40 a steal compared to the retail price. A nice smooth drink, which ought to have been drunk before the Sean Thackrey Orion which was at risk of impacting the palate too much. Life changing? No. Age and reputation aside, I think there is better value at $30-$40 for a shiraz. But a nice wine nonetheless.

Sean Thackrey, Orion, 1994, Sonoma County, USA ($180)

Needs about 2 hours in a decanter. Started drinking this after about 1 hour of decanting, while yielded a wine with some pleasurably dusty tannins. Deep colour. Not an awful lot on the nose. The syrah in the wine came through on the palate as did the structured tannins. Let's face it, at 16 years of age with a cork one is always taking a punt on whether a wine is drinkable at all. This most certainly was. Got smoothly and smoother as time elapsed as the dustiness blew off. But in all phases an enjoyable wine.

Provenance, Pinot Noir 2008, Geelong ($30)

Lovely smell of earth and cherry. Reasonalble finish. Not too heavy. Drinkable now but would be better in a year's time. Enjoyable.