Rathdowne Cellars Own Brand, Old Press Shiraz 2007, McLaren Vale (?) ($14)

After a long flurry of totally disappointing wines I get this. Wow! Those great wines sometimes just come out of nowhere. Made from grapes from Bleasdale's vineyards. Very distinctive flavours, sometimes of prune at the back, intense blackberry. This wine electrifies. Great depth and concentration of flavour, and focus. Ming-bogglingly good stuff and a fantastic value at $14.

Mastroberardino, Aglianico, Campania IGT, Italy ($20)

Weaker colour than I expected, and this was reflected on the those nose and palate. A weak black tea thing going on the palate, with some pleasing astringency. The front of mouth experience being dominant with the flavour tailing off in teh mid and back palate. A slight disappointment.

Casa Caldirola, Bardolino 2006, Veneto, Italy ($7)

Any hopes that this blend of corvina, rondinella, molinara, and negrona grapes might yield a tasty Valpolicella-esque experience at a measly $7 were severely dashed. Tasted like one of those unfinished bottles in restaurants that they still serve from the next day. Thoroughly unpleasant. Couldn't manage more than two small sips.

Luis Pato, Baga 2005, Beiras Portugal ($26)

For all the hyperbole about new wave Portuguese wine, and the joy of finding something in a bottle shop (Rathdowne Cellars) that for once was not Quinta do Crasto, this was a joy to find, and a disappointment to drink. Actually, other than it being inoffensive - thank you, I can get that from Jacob's Creek at a third of the price - there is not a singlew thing to write about it. Bland, and mercifully only 13%.

Sutherland Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon - Daniel's Hill Vineyard 2003, Yarra Valley ($(12)

A very distinctive taste, and while interesting, I'm not sure if I like it. Although smooth with a longish finish, I can't help thinking or burnt sugar or treacle. Given that I've visited Sutherland Estate in teh past and liked thier produce very much, I am beginning to assume that their 2003 produce is either past its best, or was not their best vintage.

Sutherland Estate, Pinot Noir 2003, Yarra Valley ($12)

Well, the wine guides were right. This is too old, and is obviously past its prime. All that sour cherry and raspberry overtaken by age. Got dried orange on the palate and some heat. Not particularly enjoyable.

Port Phillip Estate, Pinot Noir 2005, Mornington Peninsula ($27 at auction)

In shoret, too young. Too much bright acidity present and clearly needs a few more years. The flavours so far a fruity but undistinctive typical pinot noir.