Domaine Bernard Baudry, Chinon 2006, Loire Valley, France ($42)

Finally, got hold of some Chinon. Not easy stuff to get even in Melbourne. Found it in Providore in Canberra. Good shop. A nice balanced wine - but not showy. No big nose, no big big flavours. Just a very smooth darker-than-average flavour dominated by dark berry flavours. Given that 2006 was meant to e a bad year for reds in that part of the world, the wine was better than I expected. At $42 I'm not sure I'd buy this vintage again, even through the quality was acceptable. More a case of ticking Chinon off the list, and maybe waiting for a well received vintage for a return visit.

Castillo del Baron, Monastrell 2007, Yecla, Spain ($23)

After drinking that lovely La Purisima 2004 Monastrell last week I had to see if monastrell (mouvedre) from Yecla had something bigger going on. It does. This wine was delightful with a wonderfully complex fragrant nose. Loads going on. Could just keep smelling it. Totally un-Australian. Delightful stuff.

Penfolds Grange 1986, South Australia ($480)

Pat thought this to taste of raspberries on the first instnace. Maybe, maybe black raspberry. But the taste did evolve, leaving me with a pleasing impression of tar and liquorice. The finish went on for ever. A nice wine. Not a life-changer.

Trappio, Monastrell 2004, Yecla, Spain ($65 in restaurant)

Wonderful stuff.

Eileen Hardy, Shiraz, Coonawarra (present)

the sheer concentration of the flavour was enough to set this apart from the crowd. The flavours just kept changing, from fruit driven at first through to a distinct black tea one later one. It just fascinated. Most wines priced at $60+ just leave one wondering if they are worth it. This one is. A really special wine.