Palmes D'or Rose 2002 - Champagne, France

Dark pink salmon in the glass. The nose took a little time to unwind but within a minute headed for charcuterie aromas, Asian spice and raspberry sorbet. This certainly carries the weight and class of a top Vintage Champagne Rose.  Long and full finish with everything in place. Very hard to fault in any aspect and what a wine to start a meal. A$250/bottle

96 Points

David Franz Nicole Sparkling Cabernet Shiraz NV - South Australia Unspecified, Australia

Dark deep purple with striking inky blue edges. This wine looks quite simply seductive when poured out, colour and effervescence. Very complex nose, varieties clearly on show which is not always the case with Sparkling red. Mint, roast meats, salted plum and shaved wood. The palate has great aged character and once again, clearly defined varietal flavour. Ripeness and weight in the middle followed by persistence of flavour right to the acid balanced finish. Within the top Sparkling red wines I have tried to date. A$90/bottle

95 Points

Yalumba Octavius Shiraz 1997 - Barossa Valley, Australia

The cork pulled out perfectly and colour was wonderful but unfortunately the wine was badly oxidised.

A further tasting bottle will be arranged.

Not Rated

De Bortoli Sauternes 1982 - Region Unknown, Australia

Followers note: This wine was renamed Noble One once the descriptor Sauternes was removed from labelling.

Dark brown copper colour. Upon checking the appearance of this wine, in bottle, I assumed an oxidised example was to be poured but proven very wrong. The nose was impeccably fresh with apricot, nougat and some cheese/milky aromas. The palate remains very well balanced with gentle sweetness and texture. A citrus burst on the finish brings home my opinion that this remains Australia's best example of this tribute to great Sauternes. A$35/bottle 375ml (Current Vintage Release Price)

94 Points

Moss Wood Chardonnay 2008 - Margaret River, Australia

Deep golden yellow in the glass. Super pungent nose of tropical fruits, cinnamon and classy oak. This is a wonderfully rich Chardonnay, right at the full bodied end of the spectrum. Very fruit driven up front but minerality and balancing acidity exist way down the back of this incredibly long finish. Such a powerhouse but also very enjoyable. There is further ageing capabilities here but I don't see any point. The palate is fully mature already. A$70/bottle

96 Points

Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 - Martinborough, New Zealand

Strikingly youthful with vibrant colour of purple and violet. The nose has everything happening including maraschino cherry, dried porcini mushroom and a host of wild fruits. Alcohol is tipping the scales just below 14% but there is no question of balance in this wine. The texture is wonderfully rich and even syrupy with weight. Flavours are abundant with forest fruits and interesting spices. This Pinot is currently soaring with 10 years of good ageing ahead. A$100/bottle

96 points

Poggiotondo Vermentino 2010 - Tuscany, Italy

Pale gold/yellow. The nose has some nice candle wax, nashi pear and lemon rind. Generally speaking this Vermentino comes across a little richer than other examples at the price, due to some oak use in fermentation. It works very well as the acidity is still lemony and fresh. A very nice summer white. A$30/bottle

90 Points

RK Chardonnay 2010 - Beechworth, Australia

Quite golden/yellow in the glass for a young Chardonnay. Aromas start off with smokey, barrel ferment notes. After time in glass more tropical fruits are revealed including melon and peach. The palate is medium to full bodied with great texture and wonderfully balanced crisp acidity. This is a great cellaring option for 6-10 years. A$60/bottle

94 Points

R Wines Suxx Shiraz 2007 - Barossa Valley, Australia

Pitch black in the glass. Power aromas of roasted coffee, dry earth and dried mint. The palate is full weight with concentration and texture. Flavours come in waves ranging from blue fruits to melted chocolate and vanillin. Tannin is soft to finish. Drinking now. A$30/bottle

93 Points

Marchand & Burch Gevrey-Chambertin 2008 - Burgundy, France

Very light rose colour with perfect clarity. The nose commences with sweet cherry with clove spicing and some damp soil. The palate is still very young with the tannin and acid drying the back end. In years ahead the balance may come back and this will earn a much higher score. A$100/bottle

90 Points

Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz 2009 - Barossa Valley, Australia

Ruby red in the glass. Not as dark and inky as Barossa can exhibit. The nose is perfumed and elegant with minty aromas backed by sweet roasted coffee. The palate comes together well with typical earthy, meaty Barossa flavours but is held tightly together with acid. A restrained but wonderful Shiraz. A$24.99/bottle

91 points

Fox Creek Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre 2008 - Mclaren Vale, Australia

Deep garnet purple. The nose shows eucalyptus/minty tones with the alcohol showing. The palate kicks off with smoked meats and then retires back to the minty almost herbal flavours seen on the nose. Slightly under-ripe fruit up front but finishes dry and long. A$20/bottle

85 points 

Podere Ruggeri Corsini Nebbiolo 2009 - Langhe, Italy

Typical nose from this variety of tar, leather and spice. The palate is very young with some powerful drying tannin and acidity to match. Definitely heading in the right direction but a minimum 5 years is needed here for everything to soften out. A$40/bottle

88 Points

Le Sorelle di Suavia Soave 2010 - Veneto, Italy

The nose leads with lemon pith and some chalkiness. The fruit driven palate has a spread of pineapple, orange peel and a touch of sweetness with sharp acid to bring the flavours together. Very good summer value. A$15/bottle

85 points

Norton Reserva Syrah 2006 - Mendoza, Argentina

Blood red with inky purple center. The nose has some cherry, charred oak and smoked bacon. The palate is medium bodied with dried cocoa and blue fruit leading into some drying tannin to finish. Still young and needs a few more years. A$20/bottle


88 points

Dorio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2009 - d'Abruzzo, Italy

Bright purple highlighted by ruby red. The nose is on the savoury side with clove, stewed meat and a surprising hint of dark truffle when first opened. Medium to full bodied with red berries and coffee bean. Balanced acid brings all the flavours home. Nice value. A$10/bottle

86 Points

Mayhem & Co Riesling 2010 - Adelaide Hills, Australia

Pale green/yellow in the glass. The aromas have sweet floral notes with lemon peel and torn basil. A bone dry, chalky palate that is mouthwatering and wonderfully fresh. There is some over an above texture compared to your regular South Australian dry Riesling. A very enjoyable dry white. A$22/bottle

89 Points

G.H. Mumm Brut NV - Champagne, France

Floral nose of musk and chalk. The palate flows with Chardonnay dominant flavours including peaches and cream. A nice easy finish of soft acid and balanced citrus. Wonderful aperitif. A$79/bottle

90 Points