Teodosio, Aglianico de Vulture 2007, Italy ($35)

Very, very solid stuff. Good delivery across across the entire palate with notes of charcoal, tar, hints of cigarette. well worth a retry.

Vina Arana Reserva 2004, Rioja Alta, Spain ($62)

An intense old school style Rioja. Big oaky bouquet just like the ones we used to buy in the 80's and 90's. A complete contrast in style to the more modern Roda. Jancis Robinson gave is 16 noting that it would be better from 2013 before scoring it 16. And I'd tend to agree, due the the initial mouthful being a tad bright on the palate, and so needing a year or two more of bottle age to calm down. Can be drunk onw but with food.

Pat found it too intense. I didn't.

Purchased from the City Wine Shop, Spring Street

Hurley Vineyard, Garamond Pinot Noir 2005, Mornington Peninsula ($45)

Light density crimson colour. Great nose. Could nail exactly what, toffeed apples without the sweetness maybe. Fantastic taste. one of those that makes you remeber what pinot can do. Drunk at the moment when those secondary flavours are kicking in but with some of trh feshness of the primaries still there. Fantastic, fantastic wine.

Albeisa, Barbaresco 1996, Italy ($90)

Pat's birthday wine. Balanced, could taste the age and complexity....and would be good value at $45, but not $90.

Domaine des Lises, Crozes-Hermitage 2007,Rhone ($46)

Had a really nice nose, at first mineral and later some violet and sandalwood-esque notes. On the palate probably too much acidty for my liking but otherwise balanced. the price tag and the angularity meaning I'd not buy this again. Might be better with a few more years of bottle age toallw the acidity to calm down.