4th Sept 2010

Jasper Hill Riesling 2010
$36. Golden-sunflower colour, a youthful, waxy nose of fermenting pineapple, lime lead and lemon. Rich acidity, a steely element, lemon and lime flavours with a soft lingering finish. A good wine. 89-90/100. Tasted at Prince Wine Store Sept 2010.

Jasper Hill Cornella Grenache 2009
$55. Medium ruby colour, a perfume of grass, red currants and a hint of raspberry. Dry, high acidity, soft grainy tannins that aren't obvious despite 12 months in barrel. An initial attack of berry fruit which fades out a little too fast for my personal liking. 89/100. Tasted at Prince Wine Store Sept 2010.

Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Shiraz 2009
$83. Dark ruby core with a light crimson purple edge. Lovely perfumed nose of red berry fruit, plum skins and Chinese jasmine blossom. Dry, full-bodied wine with high acidity and a velvet layer of tannins. Plush plum flavours with dark berry fruit and black currants. A soft finish that lingers. Needs cellaring to be rewarded. Drink 2015 - 2030. 93+/100. Tasted at Prince Wine Store Sept 2010.

Jasper Hill Emily's Paddock Shiraz 2009
$110. The usual touch of Cabernet Franc (5%) in this one. Clear ruby colour with a clean, youthful nose of fresh red berry fruit, plum skin, touch of dirt and cream soda fizz. Dry sappy tannins, medium acidity, flavours of plum and red currants. Long residual sensation of the tannins take away from the fruit. This wine calls for beef stew. Drink 2012 - 2022. 91-92/100. Tasted at Prince Wine Store Sept 2010.

Occam's Razor Shiraz 2009
$45. A single vineyard wine. Clear, dark ruby colour. Clean youthful, dusty nose of soft plum aromas. Dry, medium acidity with grainy tannins centered on the front palate. Plum and dark berry fruit flavours but lacks body, or as the French say 'not convinced'. 89/100. Tasted at Prince Wine Store Sept 2010.

---

5th Sept 2010

Vietti Roero Arneis 2009
$46. Very pale lemon colour, abundant aromas of white peach, green apple and sweet herb flowers. Rich, ripe acidity, flavours of citrus, lemon and touch of minerality. This has depth. Drink now - 2014. 90/100. Tasted at Randall's Albert Park Aug 2010.

Vietti Perbacco Langhe Nebbiolo 2007
$56. Lovely youthful aromatics of rose petals, pine, red berry fruit and hint of red plums. Dry, medium-bodied wine, high acidity with smooth tannins. Fresh red berry fruit, cherry, touch of herbs in this well-structured and balanced offering. A good finish. Drink now - 2012. 91/100. Tasted at Randall's Albert Park Aug 2010.

---

27th Sept 2010
A HUGE night at the Gran Hyatt hotel on Scotts Road left me with a forgettable hangover IF I could remember it. Well the suit was a write-off, and I didn't have my bum on seat to savour every dish served but I obviously made it a point to take note of the wines enjoyed to celebrate a memorable event.

Chateau Montalena Chardonnay 2007, Napa Valley CA
Clear lemon gold colour, youthful nose of orange blossom, talc and lemon minerality. A full-bodied chardonnay with high acidity and a burst of mandarin pulp flavours backed by a splash of lemon juice. 13.7% alc. Broad palate profile with a long finish. 92/100. Drink now - 2015.

Flowers Winery Andreen-Gale Pinot Noir 2006, Cazadero CA
17 months in 40% new French oak. Clear med-ruby purple colour with watery rim. Youthful nose of strawberry leaf, ripening plum under red currants. Medium bodied wine, high acidity, even velvet blanket of tannins, rich red berry fruit flavours. A feminine, delicate wine for the early summer. Long finish. 92/100. Drink now - 2012.

Radio-Coteau Las Colinas Syrah 2004, Sonoma Coast CA
Clear medium ruby coloured wine with fine legs. A medium+ intensity nose of oven roasted charred beef rib bones, black cherry anise. Full bodied plush wine, intense black cherry, blackberry flavours, med+ acidity, 14.6% alc, even carpet of spongy tannins. Long finish. 90/100. Drink now - 2012.

Montrose 2003, St Estephe Bordeaux
Clear black garnet core with a lighter ruby rim. Youthful nose of black cherry liquorice, cassis and ripe summer blackberry bush. A full-bodied wine, multilayered and complex with developing sappy tannins, savoury plum, blackberry flavours. Abt 13.5% alc. Easy and smiling finish. A brilliant wine. Drink now - 2022. 96/100.

Gruaud-Larose 2003, St Julien Bordeaux
Clear medium black ruby colour. Developing nose of plum, blackberry and roasted herb stalks with a core of roasted meat. Medium+ bodied wine high acidity 13% alc, rich savoury plum flavours with a hint of wet tar. Lovely fleshy tannins provide a perfect structure for now. Nice finish for an easy wine that will live for awhile more. Drink now - 2020. 90/100.

Haut-Brion 1983, Pessac Leognan Bordeaux
This wine has seen better days. Medium garnet colour with a brown tinge. It's a tiring wine past it's peak but still with ripe fresh dark berry fruit, leather straps and freshly picked tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied wine with its acids and tannins gasping on their last breaths floating upon savoury leathery red berry fruit. 90/100. Should have drunk this 5 years ago but I'm not suggesting you wash your sink pipes with it.

Mouton-Rothschild 1994, Pauillac Bordeaux
Dark ruby colour with developing hints of garnet. Fine legs. Fresh blackberries, red currants and a hint of chocolate grainy powder, fresh tanned leather. Medium+ bodied wine, fresh high acidity, soothing sheath of tannins, rich dark berry fruit, hint of granite minerality. Long finish. 93/100. Drink now - 2020.