Wongston's Wine

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

2011-11-20T02:29:00.001-08:00

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)

2011-11-19T12:53:00.000-08:00

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)

2011-03-11T14:47:00.000-08:00

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)

2011-03-05T22:39:00.000-08:00

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)

2011-02-19T23:09:00.000-08:00

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.

Pfeiffer, Gamay 2010, Rutherglen ($19)

2010-12-12T03:29:00.000-08:00

Essentially a stab a 'Beaujolais Nouveau'. A wisp of acidity as you would expect in a wine this young. Some simple strawberry and light cheery flavours. Well balanced and a smooth drink if you can accept the acidity. Could be a whole lot more interesting in a year of two's time.

Les Vin de Vienne, Les Essartailles, Cote Rotie 2006, Northern Rhone ($90)

2010-12-12T03:25:00.000-08:00

Well, my first ever Cote Rotie, and while is was gentle it was not exactly life changing. Didn't tell Pat the price and she was not impressed when tasting 'price blind'

Trentham, La Familglia Nebbiolo 2006 ($13)

2010-10-29T01:56:00.000-07:00

Lightish colour, nice interesting aroma. A tad acidic at first. With air a totally quaffable enjoyable drink. Will buy more at this price

Alamos, Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina ($20?)

2010-10-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

Dark, dark colour. Immediate bouquet of blackberries, before a hint of violet kicked in overlayed by vanilla/oak. Smooth and even on that palate. Not enough to make me think Argentinian Malbec would beat Bleasdale Malbec, but still a good wine.

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

2010-09-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-09-17T15:34:00.001-07:00

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?)

2010-09-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-09-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-09-12T03:09:00.000-07:00

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

Saddleback, Pinor Noir 2005, Central Otago ($29)

2010-08-14T23:14:00.000-07:00

The brain says that this wine was right. Pinot....Otago....had some bottle age...not too much alcohol (13%), and indeed the bouquet gave a hint at smooth intensity. And at first it tasted okay too. But I don't like pinot as concentrated as shiraz, and when I drink some Otago pinots that is what I think I'm having. Well made as it is, this is not my kind of stuff.

Giant Steps, Sexton Vineyard Merlot 2008, Yarra Valley ($17)

2010-08-14T23:12:00.000-07:00

It's all there, the flavours, depth, and grip. But this wine was just far too young. The tannins overpowering and years off being ready. Needs at least another 5 years.

Lindemans Pyrus 2006, Coonawarra ($54)

2010-08-14T23:11:00.000-07:00

Lovely

Sorrenberg, Gamay 2004, Beechworth ($38)

2010-07-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

Being gamay it was only to be expected that the jiuce seemed thin in colour on decanting. But is settled into a deep cherry colour which expressed the taste experience. The bouquet packed a delightful punch. This wine was clearly going to be a contender. The taste did not disappoint. Long finish. Smooth over the entire palate. Balanced vanilla and that cheery thing. $38 is not cheap. This wine was worth it. Lovely stuff.

Marguet Pere & Fils, Brut Champagne, France ($49)

2010-07-10T17:55:00.000-07:00

From Nick's wine merchants. A grand cru champagne. Very nicely balanced wine making me think of the better champagnes I've ever had. The best champagne style sparkling I've ever had was the Symphonia sparkling from King Valley (and only $17). This was similar. Symphonia probably pips it to the post on taste and value. Relative to other French champagnes this is exception value in price for the taste.

Yalumba, The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Coonawarra ($25)

2010-07-10T17:50:00.000-07:00

Again, a Rathdowne Cellars purchase. Apparently some wine writer or other thought this the wine of the year. Timely that I seem to be turning on to cab savs at the moment, after downing some great Sonoma County stuff at the Saint and Rogue. Anyhow, on pouring this showed a very dark colour. Clearly a concentrated wine. After airing for a couple of hours this wine this made for a very nice experience. Dark cab franc like flavours werer there, though surprisingly for a Coonawarra cab sav an absence of cigar box aromas, all the more ironic given the name of the wine. Still, excellent value at $25.

Leabrook Estate, Cabernet Franc 2006, Adelaide Hills ($30)

2010-07-10T17:43:00.001-07:00

Another purchase from Rathdowne Cellars, and a very nice wine. Very dark colour. I wine of good depth and those pleasing dark undertones that you'd want from a cab franc. A little bit of a dough type flavour on the mid palate. Priced about right and worth a return.

Domaine la Lorentine 2007, Lirac (Rhone), France ($40)

2010-07-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

Sourced from Rathdowne Cellars in Carlton Village. A good wine in the Lirac style. The minerality was certainely there, though not as in your face of the Domaine de la Mordoree, which made the wine have a sense of place. Enjoyable and worth a return.

Rathdowne Cellars Old Press Shiraz 2008, Langhorne Creek, ($13)

2010-07-03T17:39:00.000-07:00

A bit a beast this wine. I was so looking to this wine, as the equivalent I bought in January was possibly my fave wine of teh year to date. I should have checked the label. January's was an '07, and this a 2008. This wine is over the top, too intense, not quite balanced. There's a jarring smell of treacle which simpy makes me think the grapes were overripe. And to think I bought three bottles of this unaware it was not the same as my January purchase Not enjoyable at all.

Purple Hen, Clonal Selection Pinot Noir 2008, South Gippsland ($30)

2010-07-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

Strawberry colours on pouring, and indeed initially on the nose. The bouquest evolved a lot over time with the simple strawberry giving way to funkier forest aromas. This was reflected in the taste which after a couple of hours had an almost sparkling darkness to it. this wine will polarise opinion. I found it an unusual and interesting wine. Pat not so.

Giant Steps, Miller Vineyard Shiraz 2006, Yarra Valley ($17 on offer)

2010-06-30T00:12:00.000-07:00

Delightful smooth cool climate shiraz. Good value at $25 or below. Drinking pefectly now.

Dr Loosen, Blue Slate Riesling Trocken 2008, Mosel ($20?)

2010-06-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

At 11.5% alcochol it was nice to have a wine with what I still feel is roughly the right alcohol level. The 15% stuff usually annoys me. A pleasant but ultimately forgettable wine.

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

2010-03-13T13:29:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-03-13T13:25:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-03-08T02:21:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-03-08T02:20:00.000-08:00

Wonderful stuff.

Eileen Hardy, Shiraz, Coonawarra (present)

2010-03-08T02:05:00.000-08:00

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.

Gotham, Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley ($?)

2010-02-27T19:53:00.000-08:00

Heat. So much alcohol in this it is totally out of balance. An unenjoyable drink.

Pfieffer, Shiraz 2004, Rutherglen ($?)

2010-02-27T19:49:00.000-08:00

Dark thick purple colour and a big cool climate nose. Filled the mouth with big flavour with a hint of mint/eucalypt and dark fruit/plum. Much bigger than I am used to, but without that horrible over the top quality some Rutherglen or Heathcote reds have. Enjoyable.

Omaka Springs, Reserve Pinot Noir 1998, Marlborough, NZ ($?)

2010-02-21T00:11:00.000-08:00

A 40th birthday pressie. Inky purple colour. A big stewed cherry thing going on here though it was not overpowering. An initial hit of tannin I found made it more interesting, though Pat was more ambivalent. Decent finish.

Vina Tondonia 1991 Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain (~$100)

2010-02-18T04:03:00.000-08:00

Balanced & subtle. But I couldn't help thinking it was maybe a bit too old, or maybe the grapes a bit overripe. I had an Aussie wine after this, which only reinforced how subtle and delicate this wine was. Didn't stop me me having my doubts.

Clos des Papes 2007, Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone, France ($199)

2010-02-18T04:01:00.000-08:00

THE 40th birthday wine, and yes, after 5 hours airing packed a punch with a complex intense bouquet, and a long finish after an even intense experience in the mouth. Lovely. Wine Specator gave this 97 points, and I understand Parker rated higher. It's difficult for me to gauge such esteemed rating and what that really means. This was just a very nice wine......though I prefered the $14 Rathdowne Cellars own brand shiraz!

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

2010-01-22T16:20:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-01-22T16:17:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-01-20T01:47:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-01-18T02:35:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-01-16T03:38:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-01-16T03:35:00.000-08:00

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)

2010-01-16T03:33:00.000-08:00

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.

Port Philip Estate, Pinot Noir 2002, Mornington Peninsula ($?)

2009-12-27T15:56:00.000-08:00

One of the first wines I bought in this country. An excellent wine, not too overpowering. A bouquet with ome stewed cherry, but with dome dark raspberry and red fruit still present. There wasa a slight fungal aroma for a while too that passed. The flavour was at the medium concentration end - pitched perfectly for my taste. A very enjoyable wine, and probably the best pinot noir I had this calendar year.

Tardieu & Laurent, 'Coteaux' 2005, Cornas, Northern Rhone, France ($76)

2009-12-27T15:51:00.000-08:00

A deep colour reinforcing a concentrated bouquet. Black fruits and plum on top of cedar. Very good concentration and balance on the palate and a good finish. We had our good quaffing Barossa shiraz after this and it tasted rough compared to this Cornas. A very, very, good wine indeed.

Foradori, Teroldego Rataliano 2000, Trentino, Italy ($40 auction)

2009-12-24T15:28:00.000-08:00

You could smell the bottle age. Cedar, viotet and vanilla. Very smooth on the mouth with interesting subdued flavours. Vert Italian. Enjoyed...but Pat didn't.

Massoni, Barbera 2003 ($20)

2009-11-14T13:52:00.000-08:00

Oh my God. A total steal. A total steal. Great balance and a very individaul and complex taste. Could help but think of olives while drinking this. This is beautiful wine, which if you can go to 6J's in Prahan to purchase, is a must-do.

Bleasdale, Frank Potts (Bordeaux Blend) 2005, Langhorne Creek ($28)

2009-11-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

Drank this after the Quinto do Vallado and stamped on it from a very great height. Australian through and trhough with ripe fruit intensity. Again black fruits and a bit a plum. This felt even all over the mouth, had great smell. Drinking well now. Bleasdale wines are great.

Quinta do Vallado 2005, Douro, Portugal ($68)

2009-11-14T13:26:00.000-08:00

Well, I got promoted at work so I splashed out. Pure touriga nacional. Dark in colour and full black fruit on the nose. Very concentrated particularly down the middle of the palate. Great focus. Worth $68. Dunno, not sure anyting is worth that, but it is a very good wine.

Toscar, Monastrell 2007, Alicante, Spain ($14)

2009-11-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

Initial smell of plums, giving way in time for a bit of red berry fruit and some smokiness. On tasting then main thing I remember is a sourness to the taste. Not totally offensive - I did decide to carry on on drinking it rather than change the bottle, but equally, I don't think I'd buy this again.

Domaine de la Mordoree, Lirac, Southern Rhone ($45)

2009-10-07T05:09:00.000-07:00

I'd heard about wines from the Lirac from Wine Libray TV and how they were underated. My attempt at sourcing some in Melbourne had come to nought for a month before going to Paris. The 'Caves Taillerant' had only one bottle so I was amazed to see one advertised in South Melbourne's Prince Wine Stores. This had a feint purple hue, and a minerality on the nose that evokes northern Rhone, though not as extrememly as teh St Jospeph of a few months ago. It stank of regionality. THis could not be anything but French, and special. And indeed it was: mineral, violet, white pepper (?) and subdued black fruit. I loved this . The sheer balnce, the length, the individuality. Very enjoyable. A pure sense of place.

Great Wall, cabernet sauvignon 2007, China (39, 6)

2009-09-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

Yuk

Bleasdale, Malbec 2003, Langhorne Creek ($17)

2009-09-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

Dark stuff. Some stone on the nose and a big wodge of dark berry. This wine was delightful with even balance in the mouth, and the right amount of ageing. A delight

Spring Vale, Pinot Noir 2006, East Coast Tasmania ($44)

2009-08-23T01:24:00.000-07:00

I'd ignored Tasmanian pinot until I visited Tasmania Uncorked! a few weeks ago. Why bother when one lives at the edge of the Mornington Peninsula? This bottle is why bother, and all those wineries up the eastern coast of Tasmania are why bother. Delicious stuff, with smooth appealing fruit. Raspberry and in particular cherry come to mind. But this is not immature jammy pinot. This is unctuous, warm life affirming stuff. Sophistication and personality without pretentioun. A real pleasure.

Marc Bredif, Vouvray 2006, Loire, France ($33)

2009-08-14T15:05:00.000-07:00

Great balance on this off-dry wine, floral on the nose at first with a hint of mango coming through later. Very even on the palate. Classy, and a very enjoyable drink.

Anderson, Basket Press Shiraz 2001, Rutherglen ($27)

2009-08-09T01:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just know, don't you? Standing in Melbourne's Federation Square Region Wine Showcase and eying that decanter from Anderson's stand. One whiff is all it took. I bought. One sniff of that purest plum and blackberry bouquet and you know this is a winner. One taste and the concentrated flavours rip down the palate and just stay there - the concentration, the tannin gripping. You surrender because there was nothing else you wanted to do. Even if you had another option you still would take this one as the wine Sirens beckon you A lovely, lovely wine.

Vintage Cellars own brand Cotes-de-Rhone 2007, France ($8)

2009-08-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

Bright red on pouring, with a bouquet of strawberry and cherry. A well balanced wine offering easy quaffing. Some meatiness on the palate. Undeniable value at this price and a change to the norm.

Giant Steps Sexton, Harry Monster 2004 (Bordeaux Blend), Yarra Valley ($20)

2009-07-31T15:16:00.000-07:00

Last reviewed in 2008. Picked a half dozen up in the end of financial year sale at Giant Steps at a mere $20 rather than the usual $45. Ideally needs two hours to air in a decanter to really rock. My lesson from this bottle was that while still nice, it should not have been drunk after the palate assault rendered by a big primitivo with full on Aussie style fruit concentration like the Sutherland's Creek we had that night. Harry's Monster is a really good Bordeaux blend with good complexity, brooding darkly compared to the that primitivo. Very, and at $20, very good value.

Sutherlands Creek, Primitivo 2006, Geelong ($11)

2009-07-31T15:01:00.000-07:00

An OMG moment when we had the first bottle of this a week ago. And strange that I wrote in February that there was no Aussie primitivo, and was having to rely on Italian fare (have never seen Californian Zinfandel in this country). Found this in 6J's aside Prahan Market. A thick dark purple, the second bottle remained strong on vanilla but more pronounced on plum flavours instead of the blackberry flavours experienced on bottle #1. Pat thought there was a little raspberry bouquet thing going on. Bloody good stuff.

Anderson, "Melanie' Sweet Shiraz 2005, Rutherglen ($?)

2009-07-31T01:09:00.000-07:00

Must admit to usually being somewhat pessimistic about table wines from Rutherglen and Heathcote, the flavours are too full on and not to my liking. This works though, a nice pudding wine thick on the mouth with even chocolate and licorice flavours. Enjoyable. Cellar door mail order sales only.

Cuilleron Gaillard Villard, L'Arzelle Saint Joseph 2000, Rhone, France ($50)

2009-07-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

Dark colour. Stone straight on the nose followed by some pleasing roasted meatiness. Smooth mouthfeel with fine tannins. A nice drink that reeked of place.

Giant Steps, Sexton Vineyard Chardonnary 2006, Yarra Valley ($16)

2009-06-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

Lovely stuff, smooth floral notes, with a very slight and appealing toastiness. A hint of austerity coming from the right amount opf acidity. An absolute bargain and a wonderful drink

Domaine Vincent Paris, Saint Joseph 2007, Rhone, France ($45)

2009-06-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

And wham, in this came. A total mindshift was required from our standard fare to deal with this. On the nose wet stone and later soil. No fruit on the nose whatsoever. Youth gave this wine a race of acidity on the mouth. Needs 2 hours plus to air. A very mineral red and a total detour from our norm.

Chateau de Sergries 2006, Cotes-du-Rhone, France ($25)

2009-06-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

A wine to ponder and enjoy as it constantly evolved in the glass. Sometimes cigar box, sometimes dark fruit, and at one point a touch of thyme, but always a silken mouthfeel. Arguably a little thin on the mid-palate. One to contemplate and enjoy with wine fan friends.

Box Stallion, The Enclosure Pinot Noir 2006, Mornington Peninsula ($25ish)

2009-05-24T01:48:00.000-07:00

The thing about pinot noir is that your always want the Holy Grail - the perfect wine - and it is only pinot that can give that religious ectasy. near perfection is tolerable. But what about serviceable? No, not really. This wine is serviceable, red cherry being the main thing going on here on the nose and palate. the winer is correct. But it is pinot and it does not rock.

Domane Wachau, Gruner Veltliner 2007, Wachau, Austria ($23)

2009-05-03T05:57:00.001-07:00

This grape is beginning to get a bit of hype what with articles in The Age's Epicure. Jancis Robinson mentioned that one has to be careful where in Austria the wine is sourced from. Today's wine was no help. Balanced and tasting somewhere between semillion and gerwurtztramer is was simply okay but unexceptional with balanced honeysuckle (?) notes and verging on semi-sweet.

Box Stallion, Dolcetto 2004, Mornington Peninsula ($17)

2009-05-03T00:09:00.001-07:00

Acquired this at the cellar door. The 2006 which we tasted just beforehand was totally different what with its rosemary bouquet. No English country garden here. Stewed cherry and blackberry on the nose and a fair dose of tannin. Probably at its best after one hour of airing when the dustiness came off it leaving a glossy palate experience. 14.6% alcohol has very high, but I couldn't taste the heat one would expect from such levels. For $17 this is good value.

Chateau Ferriere 2005, Grand Cru Classe, Margaux, Bordeaux ($100)

2009-05-03T00:03:00.000-07:00

Be careful when believing adverts offering religious experiences. 2005 Bordeaux - the vintage of a lifetime. Buy any wine you can - they'll all be worth it. No doubt this is a nice wine, but the Douro wines I've recently drunk were as good, and the Vallado had strong parallels in the taste experience at a third of the price. A bit like Sean Connery finding our who Zardoz really was.

Vallado (Quinta do Vallado), Douro, Portugal ($35)

2009-04-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

A blend of tinta barroca, tinta roriz, touriga franca, & touriga nacional grapes. Funk - that was the only word I could think off to describe this. There was a lot going on in the nose and mouth and I couldn't put a traditional wine word on any of it. It just had some spicy funk to it. An enjoyable drink, though I think overpriced. Would be good at $18, but at $35 overpriced.

Novisimo Canepa, Carmenere 2007, Central Valley, Chile ($9)

2009-04-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

Intriguing stuff. Light aromatics of dark berry - propably blueberry. Smooth on the palate but bery thin on the front 2/3rds with strong flavour coming in on the back. Straight after this we had Wild Rock merlot/malbec whose flavour firmly put this camenere's into place. At $9 not bad, and certainly a change to the usual stuff at that price point.

(Hanging Rock) Odd One Out, 'Cabernets' 2006, Macedon Ranges (sub $20)

2009-04-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

A mixture of cab sav, cab franc, merlot and petit verdot - the latter providing the depth. Not as good an experience as the cellar door tasting offered. Not a lot on the nose, but shades of leather, wet stone & violets. On the palate this was an uneven experience. Though inoffensive, the wine lacked focus and the tannins were uneven. One can buy a Kiwi bordeaux blend like Wild Rock for the same price which knocks this offering into touch.

Chrismont, Barbera 2002, King Valley ($20?)

2009-04-15T02:09:00.000-07:00

Slight cigar box on the nose with lovely balanced blackberry on the palate. Not too heavy. Nice finish. Very enjoyable with my tomato based meal.

Bass Phillip 'Village', pinot noir 2005, Gippsland ($58 restaurant price)

2009-04-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

Great expectations of this, what with Bass Phillip's reputation and all. Then came the shocks. The light red colur was less of a surprise than the fact that the wine was clearly unfiltered and thus cloudy in colour. With hindsight it should have been decanted what with the amount of sediment in it. Notwithstanding that, the second big surprise was that it tasted as though it was freshly bottled - totally raw - nouveau. A thoroughly unenjoyable drink verging towards vile.

Wild Rock, Merlot Malbec 2005, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand ($19.80)

2009-04-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

A total steal of a wine at under $20, and I'm so glad I found a good vendor in Wine Bank on View in Bendigo to stock this. A dark colour with some cigar box on the nose. Blackberry coming through nicely on the palate with well spread tannin to the wine backbone. Great stuff.

Darling Park, Syrah 2005, Mornington Peninsula ($28)

2009-04-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

Nice wine this, reminding me in style of the competition from Hawkes Bay, NZ. Nice dark fruit on the palate with plenty of tannin spread evenly and enjoyably across it. A very enjoyable drink.

Granite Hills, Shiraz 2003, Macedon Ranges ($28)

2009-03-29T02:58:00.000-07:00

After so much Euro wine this was a fantastic contrast. Pure instense plum on nose - and a lasting finish this was so refreshingly vibrant and fruit driven. So Australian, so wonderful. A lovely drink.

Clyde Park, Reserve Chardonnay 2002, Geelong ($15)

2009-03-29T02:54:00.000-07:00

A find while on a cellar door visit in the totally parched Geelong region. At near floor level and presented as a 50-50 bet as 'the corks weren't so good'. A totally seamless drink with typical butter and cream notes and daisy bouquet. Perfectly integrated. A dream of a drink at this price. Doesn't beat Leeuwin Estate, but at 20% of the price who is arguing?

Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico 2004, Calabria, Italy ($6)

2009-03-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

Lovely. Made from 100% gaglioppo (!). Really nice medium bodied red with leather and well done bacon on the nose. Smooth with a slightly rough twist at the back of the palate - which I liked. Some astringency around the edge of the tongue. A pleasure to drink. A TOTAL STEAL of a wine.

Crasto (Quinta do Crasto) 2005, Douro, Portugal ($28)

2009-03-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

A blend of tinta roriz, tinta barroca, touriga franca and touriga nacional. Very drinkable and correct wine. The nose evolved continually, one moment with tobacco, another leather, and another dark cherry, and sometimes maybe a whiff of mint. While correct I had a sneaky suspicion that at times it was a little thin. Certainly makes me curious to buy more Douro wines. Purchase from King and Godfrey on Lygon Street.

Villa Maria, Syrah 2005, Hawkes Bay NZ ($25)

2009-03-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

I love Hawkes Bay syrah. Those dark cool climate flavours. This wine was lovely, and at $25 a steal. Long finish that just lingered in the mouth. Enjoy.

Cosme Palacio, Rioja 2005, Spain ($18.99)

2009-03-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

There's that something that a good rioja has has no other wine has. That is why I count rioja as my absolute favourite wine. That something is always there in the gran reservas. But this is not a gran reserva. This wine got a good write up in The Age, and yes, it is well made and correct, but that is where it ends. Nothing distinctive. Rock my boat? No. Not worth the a return visit.

A-Mano, Primitivo 2003, Puglia IGT, Italy ($20)

2009-02-21T17:32:00.000-08:00

While a perfectly well made wine, the flavour gave no indication of place. It made for unremarkable stuff. And no distinctiveness of grape variety came through. While there aren't any Aussie primitivos to my knowledge, there seemed little point in making a detour for this bottle again. For $10 we can get well made yet undistinctive wine - why pay more?

Chalmers, Aglianico 2005, Murray Darling ($25)

2009-02-21T17:21:00.000-08:00

Consistent cigar box aromas and consitent delivery across the palate. Tastes very un-Australian and therefore an nice change to the norm. The finish is not long which is poosibly the only drawback.

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

2009-02-15T11:25:00.001-08:00

My birthday treat this one.....after an hour of airing this started well, with some fruit flavour still present, but some stewed cherry and some fungal aromas present too. Nice nose. The finish was long too. Enjoyable at first, but as time passed the wine developed to become quite sour which was a disappointing end.

Helen's Hill, "Evolution' Sauvignon Blanc, Yarra Valley ($23)

2009-02-08T00:39:00.000-08:00

At last a sauvignon blance to break the monotonous tyranny of Marlborough's cat's pee offering. In the absence of good Sancerre I've been so bored of sauvignon blanc. Chestnut Hill was the only offering that made me look up. This Helen's Hill offering is a delight with oaky complexity and great taste of fig. Bye bye cat's pee and gooseberry! Enjoyable complexity. A thoroughly enjoyable drink.

Ravensworth, Sangiovese 2007, Murrumbateman NSW ($20)

2009-01-31T12:59:00.000-08:00

Coming off the back of a glass of beaujolais this wine was immediately marked by the concentrated fruit driven nose. Black cherry on the palate and a hint of raspberry right at the back which added a nice twist. A reasonable finish at this price point. Enjoyable.

Chateau du Bluizard, Beaujolais Village 2007, France ($20)

2009-01-31T12:51:00.000-08:00

So gentle compared to the standard fare I drink. The floral notes really come though along with gentle cherry. Had to protect this wine from the 45C heat (!) so it had been in the fridge (eek!) for a while. As the wine warmed up to approach propoer temperatutes its flavour profile changed. While cold disjointed and highlighting sourness at the back of the palate, but as it wared the sweetness coming though and balanced restored. Nice stuff for a late hot hot hot summer evening.

Box Stallion, Gevurtztramirner 2007, Mornington Peninsula ($20 ?)

2009-01-26T03:15:00.000-08:00

'Obliged' to drink this back to back with the Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay which really felt like an unequal contest. But this wine stood up very well. Instant gratification on the nose with lychee coming through straight away. An enjoyable drink - well balanced across the palate, nice finish. It was probably the finish that was the differentiator with the Leewin chardonnay - the latter's being long and more intense, but then again it was $50 more a bottle (having taken account if the fact that I picked it up for $70 a bottle when it was on offer, it's normally $100), and so this Box Stallion faired very well. Return visit.

Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay 2005, Margaret River ($70)

2009-01-26T00:46:00.000-08:00

Lovely. Pure focussed peach on the nose, with floral and honeyed hints. Lovely mouthfeel and a long, long finish. It's only Jan 26 and anlready I'm sipping a possible wongston wine of the year. Great, and even better, I'm sharing it with my wife.

RACV Club, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Coonawarra ($11)

2009-01-23T15:54:00.000-08:00

After a brief flush of dark berry fruit and lovely and persistant cigar box or sandalwood nose comes through. A hint of juniper and blueberry I think at different times. The nose morphed gently with time. Good balance on the palate and a really nice finish. Lovely stuff.

Clos Martinet, 2004, Priorat, Spain ($80)

2009-01-17T12:39:00.000-08:00

This followed a nice bottle of Agliancio del Vulture and felt refined in comparision. There was an initial dark berry hit, but I was just agonising over the smell. What was it.....nearest I could get was 'sponge pudding before it is cooked and it is liquid, or maybe something doughy. I just kept smelling this wine. Lovely smell. Focussed on the palae with a good finish. Very enjoyable.

Boat O'Craigo, Black Spur Pinot Noir 2006, Yarra Valley (about $20)

2009-01-01T20:46:00.000-08:00

Starts by delivering big on cherry aromas, whihc morphs with swirling into a forest floor dominated profile with a hint of fungi. For the price a good wine. An enjoyable wine that took well to our cheese.

Giant Steps, Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2005, Yarra Valley ($35)

2009-01-01T20:44:00.000-08:00

Fantastic start to 2009 with this wonderfully balanced honeysuckle flavoured chardonnay. The flavour carried through with lovely green notes delivering power across the whole of the mouth. Nice stuff worth acquiring again.

Chrismont, Sangiovese 2004, King Valley, ($17)

2008-12-29T15:54:00.000-08:00

After the big let down of Chrismont's marzemino 2004 a couple of months ago I wasn't overly optimistic about this one. So it came as a really nice surprise to drink this earthy, woody and fragrant sangiovese. Very different from the other sangiovese's I've had and pleasurably so. Medium to full bodied in an interestingly aged way. Return visit recommended.

Wines of 2008

2008-12-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

White Wine of the Year
The Gap, Chardonnay, 2004, Grampians ($17)

Shiraz of The Year
Mount Cole Wineworks, Shiraz 2004, Grampians
McClay Road, Shiraz,, 2005, Beechworth
Winner: Saint Joseph 2006, Cotes de Rhone, France

Pinot Noir of the Year
Winner: Pennon Hill, 2003, Mornington Penisula
Paringa Estate, Estate Pinot Noir, 2003 & 2002, Mornington Peninsula
Red Hill Estate Classic Release, 2003, Mornington Peninsula

Giant Steps Sexton, Harry Monster 2004 (Bordeaux Blend), Yarra Valley ($45)

2008-12-26T17:10:00.000-08:00

All tasting of this wine at Giant Steps have been favourable, with great balance, weight and complexity. This was my second tasting of this at home. Admittedly, coming off the back of the sublime Paranga Estate '02 Pinot it was always going to be a gard act to follow. While it did need more air (on hindsight possible 2 hours required) it felt rough after Paringa. Still, a lot going on. Worth $45? Not so sure now. Ashton Hills comes in at $25, and Boat of Craigo at $20 or so possibly represents a better value while trading off an acceptable amount of complexity.

Paringa Estate, Estate Pinot Noir 2002, Mornington Peninsula ($35 at auction)

2008-12-26T17:07:00.000-08:00

Wunderbar. Exellent balance and great finish. Possibly slightly shaded by the '03 we drank a few weeks ago, but only by the most marginal of factors. Flavour spanning the whole mouth. Even got plaudits from my non-pinot loving sister. High praise indeed.

Old vs New World Battle of the Shiraz: McClay Rd 2006, Beechworth ($35) v Saint Joseph 2006, Cotes du Rhone, France ($24)

2008-12-26T17:01:00.000-08:00

McClay Rd 2005 had to one of my top wines of 2008. The 2006 delivered too with focussed ripe black fruits driving straight down the middle of the palate. Good finish. Lovely stuff. The thing it was dwarfed by the Saint Joseph. I simply didn't know syrah could be like this. It shimmered in delicate light tones that I have simply never ever tasted before in this grape. Silk. Tesco in the UK are now discounting this at AUD12 per bottle. It's distressing that this wine has single-handedly blown every shiraz I've ever had to bits. A privilege to drink.

Paternoster Estate, Premium Pinot Noir 2001, Blue Dandenongs ($45)

2008-12-22T23:46:00.000-08:00

Paternoster is couched in the Dandenongs on a steep slope. So I was hoping this was good pinot country - cool winds and lots of sunlight. This wine was quite full bodied by pinot standards with interesting spicy notes. However is was the sultana notes that dominated and simply left one dissatisfied. Maybe the grapes were overripe. A profound disappointment.

Louis Jadot, Combe aux Jacques, Beaujolais Village 2007 ($??)

2008-12-19T13:01:00.000-08:00

A lovely wine this, gentle, and not in the lest overbearing. Gentler still than the Pennyweight gamay this was very smooth, balanced, and light. Only a hint of something darker on the mid-palate. Very enjoyable.