Kumkani, Pinotage 2006, Stellenbosch, South Africa ($20)

Clear, medium intensity garnet. Clean, pronounced, Candied cherry, hint of menthol, and some earthier tones. medium tannin and medium/high acidity, medium length, plum, candied cherry, black pepper on the mid palate, ending in (peppermint?). A good wine. Match with roast pork.

Tahbilk, Malbec 2002, Nagambie ($15 auction)

Clear, medium tawny in colour. Nose: clean, medium intensity. Evolving nose initially hinting at strawberry and dark fruit, letting the dark fruit prevail with time. Roast meat aromas develop to add chocolate. A bit of white pepper too. On the palate, dry, medium
acidity, short to medium length, medium body. Late picked blackberries , tar, white pepper, spice. A good wine, to be consumed with roast beef. Did lack those classic Malbec blueberry flavours. could easily be thought to be a cab sauv.

Faustino I Gran Reserva, Rioja 1982, Spain ($55 at auction)

Clear, pale, garnet, with a clean, medium intensity nose of sweet spices. Hints of red fruits remain. On the palate, dry, medium tannin, medium acidity, light body. Earthy, tar and black pepper, with a small amount of strawberry. Overall, very good. Match with prosciutto.

Weingut Bernhardt Huber, Pinot Noir 2009, Baden ($40),

Clear, medium ruby colour. Nose is clean and pronounced, with thick aromas of pure black cherries and a feint strawberry, slight perfumed, candied as well as allspice. On the palate, medium to high acidity - though lower amounts than many 3 year old pinots. Low tannin, medium body, short to medium length. Smooth and mouth filling with dark cherry and allspice coming through at times with the candied effect present in the background. Although not complex, a good well made wine. Drink by itself or with duck.

Trentham Estate, Pinot Noir 2006, Mornington Peninsula ($23)

Clear, pale tawny colour. Clear nose of medium intensity still showing some primary red fruit in the form of glacier cherries and strawberry, and Turkish delight, along with feint hints of smoke, farmyard and cedar. On the palate dry, medium acidity, light-medium bodied, medium fine tannins and short-medium length. Fruit flavours again dominate resonant of toffee apples or candied cherries. A little bit of heat left on the palate after swallowing, but not so much as to prevent enjoyment. At $24 for six year old pinot this is good wine. can be drunk by itself, or with mushroom based or lighter style duck dishes.