1st May 2010

Antico Enotria Aglianico 2006 IGT, Puglia, Italy
Deep black-ruby colour with aromas of warm churned soil, sweet blueberry and mulberry, and dried herbs. A medium bodied wine with 13.5%alc and rich flavours of ripe blackcurrants, dried herbs and wood chips. There is a moderate level of acidity that remains hidden in the shrub of dry, even slate-like tannins. An early evening drink with the sun in the sky as you sit on the wooden deck balcony on a cool day at your hill-side holiday cottage. 88/100. Drink NOW. Tasted over dinner at DOC, Lygon St. 

Alberto Longo Cacc'e mmitte di Lucera 2005 DOC, Puglia, Italy
Deep black ruby colour with lovely aromas of violets planted in warm flower beds on a sunny early afternoon, with a handful of crushed blue berries and currants. Medium bodied wine with a high level of acidity to keep the flavours of blueberries and blackcurrants fresh in your mouth. The moderate amount of tannins gives it good weight and structure without being a distraction. 88/100. Drink NOW. Tasted over dinner at DOC, Lygon St.

Vietti Castiglione Falletto Dolcetto d'alba Tre Vigne 2008 DOC, Piedmont, Italy
$45. A brilliant black-ruby, purpling colour with aromas of black currant pastilles, raspberry liquorice and black pepper. There is a sensation of late morning ~11am, and it's brunch time in the countryside. A medium bodied  dry wine of 13%alc and containing a high level of chewy tannins that are evenly distributed. Ripe acids enhance the flavours of dark berry fruit that is focussed on the front palate. Some San Daniele prosciutto would be perfect right now before the smoked mozzarella arrives at the table. 89/100.

Farnetalla Chianti Classico 2007 DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
$33. A clear, medium ruby colour with a hint of bricking. Clear focussed core of purple flower perfume, seductive, smells like white blossoms, blackcurrant tea, black berry and mulberry. Medium bodied with mid-high acidity. Vibrant flavours of ripe red berries and cherry oak, the tannins are firm but still child-like. 91-92/100. Tasted April 2010 as part of WSET level 2 course. 

Bizantino Primitivo del Tarantino 2006 IGT, Puglia, Italy
$40. The Italian twin of Californian Zinfandel, this had a brilliant black garnet colour, boasting a very fruity, sweet nose of blackcurrant pastilles, smoky black oolong tea wheels. Firm youthful tannins provide good support for the sweet black fruit flavours. The acidity is not overly present and is sufficient to keep the wine fresh as it pans out into a soft lingering finish. 89/100. Tasted April 2010 as part of WSET level 2 course.

2nd May 2010

Albino Rocca Rosso Di Rocca 2007, Piedmont, Italy
$36. A Nebbiolo blend of 80% Nebbiolo, 10% Barbera and 10% Cabernet Franc. Ruby colour with aromas of dark berry fruit, blackberry and a hint of menthol. A straight-forward drink that's medium bodied and great with lamb stew. 88/100. Tasted May 2010 at Randall's.

Marchesi di Gresy Langhe Nebbiolo Martinenga 2008, Piedmont, Italy
$51. From a producer within the Barbaresco DOCG, this Nebbiolo from Langhe vineyards is a delicious wine with flavours of blackcurrants, plum and black cherry. Even weighty tannins are still present and over develop nicely over the next 5 years. 91/100. Tasted May 2010 at Randall's.

Massolino Langhe Nebbiolo 2006 DOC, Piedmont, Italy
$55. Already showing signs of bricking, this wine has aromas of sweet dark berry fruit, cherry and with a touch of meatiness. A medium-bodied wine that is smooth, the tannins kick in at the end so the fruit has a chance to shine through initially. It will drink nicely over the next 5 years. 92/100. Tasted May 2010 at Randall's.

Conterno Fantino Langhe Nebbiolo Ginestrino 2008, Piedmont, Italy
$62. Dark garnet-black colour with a bouquet of plum, black cherry and rose talc. A sexy wine reminiscent of the brunette in a velvet scarlet dress and black stilettos who catches your eye while she's standing on the cobblestones in the afternoon sun. Despite being such a young wine, the tannins are not at their usually high levels. Definitely a modern styled wine. 93/100. Tasted May 2010 at Randall's.

3rd May 2010

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Marlborough, New Zealand
$30. Clear pale fresh squeezed lemon juice colour with a prominent nose of passionfruit, gooseberry and crushed baby basil/mint leaves. Loads of fruity flavours with vibrant acidity cutting through the mouth ending with a long citrusy finish. 89/100. Drink NOW. Tasted April 2010.

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 16 'Awatere' Pinot Noir 2007, Marlborough, New Zealand
Dark garnet colour, hint of development already. Saucy nose, fleshy, it's trying to be coy but can't hide the obvious maturity, like a tomboy-ish girl in puberty. Hint of dark berries and young stalky tannins. Generous in the mouth, spicy dark berries, slightly bitter tannins on the finish. Light supportive acids, good tannin weight, joocey feel. Trying to be something it's not, but overall a good effort. 89/100. Drink NOW. Tasted April 2010.

15th May 2010

Dominique Portet Fontaine Rose 2009
$20. This deep coloured rose has attractive ripe strawberry aromas. Nice drink with supple fruit flavours and a touch of savouriness. Perfect to wash down your brunch on a cool sunny Sunday. 88/100. Tasted at winery May 2010.

Dominique Portet Pinot Noir (Gippsland) 2009
$38. This wine has a beautiful nose of spicy plum, velvety stewed berries and hint of forest floor. But it falls someway short on the flavour profile and palate weight. 86/100. Tasted at winery May 2010.

Dominique Portet Cabernet Sauvignon (Yarra) 2006
$42. This is a very traditional and typical cabernet sauvignon with notes of menthol weaved into blackberry and black cherry flavours. The level of tannins is surprisingly high given the slight age on this bottling and I feel that there is still someway to go before they become resolve. The extent of the dryness the tannins impart takes a lot out of this wine. 87/100. Tasted at winery May 2010.

Dominique Portet Shiraz 2007
$45. A nice dense and weighty nose of plum but a little loose on the palate. 87/100. Tasted at winery May 2010.

At the monthly wine showcase at Federation Square, I found a new attractive offering from Graeme Miller Wines in the Yarra Valley. Their Dixons Creek Estate Quatrain 2005 is the signature red blend made in the mould of a Bordeaux claret. The blend consists of 70% cabernet sauvignon, 17% petit verdot, 10% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. Aromas of preserved plum, blackberry, spice, sweet dark berries. A medium-bodied wine that is well-balanced and has a very nice structure at this age. Drink over next 5+ years. Well-priced at $35. 91/100.

28th May 2010

Blain Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1989 This 21-year old has certainly developed into a lovely lady and she displays all the right signs of maturity. A clear, sunflower oil-like yellow colour with a butter-glaze sheen. Prominent, lovely candied lemon and beeswax aromas with a teaspoon a honey. Delicate lemon citrus fruit flavours with rich, ripe acidity. This wine is full throttle for this level of Burgundy and has already fired all pistons but the finish is still smilingly pleasant and not weary at all. The years are detectable with a slightly hollow finish on the mid-palate but there is so much else to enjoy so why let that distract you. Drink now - 2015. Bought from auction.