Taltarni Shiraz, Pyrenees 2005

Price: about $30 from Woolworth's Liquor
Closure: Cork; 14.0% alcohol

E-Hern:
Score: 93
Value: *****

When I opened this wine and saw the perfectly stained cork, I heaved a sigh of relief after being disappointed recently by failed corks. One whiff confirmed the good news. The nose is fresh and relatively primary for the wine's age. It's redolent of ripe, red fruits mixed deftly with balanced oak aromas. The structured, medium-bodied palate is awash with savoury fruit, dusty tannins and just a hint of aged, earthy notes. The mid-palate has a good dose of fragrant purple/red fruits. Good balance and a lengthy finish that's almost completely dry. This wine can comfortably sit in the cellar for about 4-6 more years. In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm going to go decant this - I reckon it will blossom even further.

Brave Goose Shiraz, Goulburn Valley 2005

Price: $20 from Federation Square Wine Showcase
Closure: Screwcap; 14.7% alcohol

E-Hern:
Score: 92
Value: *****

Still very youthful in colour and flavour for its age. Nice dusty oak on the nose that seems almost Cabernet-like. Elegant and very seductive aromas. Palate is dense but not over-the-top. Lovely cedary oak, dark black fruits, spice and licorice. Acidity is very natural and balanced well with the ripe, smooth tannins, providing a lingering finish. Wonderfully structured and refined - holds its alcohol very well.

Brave Goose Cabernet Merlot, Goulburn Valley 2005

Price: $28 from Federation Square Wine Tasting
Closure: Screwcap; 14.7% alcohol

E-Hern:
Score: 91
Value: *****

A classic Cabernet nose filled with pencil shavings, lead mixed beautifully with blackcurrant fruit. There is a herb-like and slight bark-like quality about this that is simply perfect. Palate is generous and carries it's 14.7% alcohol very well indeed. Lovely fruit concentration, natural acidity and a youthfulness that hides its 5 year age (in no small part due to the closure). Tannins are still rather firm on the finish but complexity is apparent already. A fine wine indeed.

Les Vins de Vienne (Cuilleron Gaillard Villard) Les Cranilles, Cote du Rhone AC 2005

Source: Cellar
Price: AUD19.99 from Dan Murphy
Closure: Cork; 13.5% alcohol

E-Hern:
Score: 88
Value: *****

One of the rare occasions I get to try an Old World wine here in Melbourne - picked this one up together with E. Guigal's Cote du Rhone at Dan's to have a little cheap Rhone taste-off.

Lovely open, cool climate white peppery Grenache/Shiraz aromas waft up to greet you. Nicely perfumed, very slightly flowery, perfectly balanced fruit and oak. I love the lower levels of alcohol that just give this wine freshness and vibrancy. Lovely powdery tannins which coat the mouth completely on the finish, not obtrusive but makes the smokey toasted finish all the more enjoyable. Slightly savoury red and black fruit complement the palate which is more about tactile balance than full on fruit flavours.

Deen De Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz, Australia 2006

Source: Cellar
Price: AUD9.90 from Dan Murphy
Closure: Screwcap; 14.0% alcohol

E-Hern:
Score: 83
Value: ***

I'm pan frying a thick-cut rump steak tonight and having this cheap quaffing wine for around $15 - I'm going to miss nights like this back home in Singapore.

Good red fruit aromas unadorned by oak; nice peppery scents, fresh and inviting. Palate is light to medium bodied without great fruit concentration but simple and accessible. Finishes a tad thin and short though acid and soft smooth tannins are in fair balance. Good aromas and flavours; not a hint of harshness. I'm curious to see if there can be better quality wines to be had for under a tenner.

Whitebox Shiraz, Heathcote 2005

Source: Cellar
Price: AUD16 from Dan Murphy
Closure: Screwcap; 14.8% alcohol

E-Hern:
Score: 88
Value: ***

I'm really into Heathcote wines now after going to the Heathcote Food & Wine Festival and having a blast there. Big, ripe and juicy on the nose yet rather perfumed and the same time. It's almost like I'm smelling some sort of pot pourri. Gorgeous violet blue fruits that cut straight into the palate. Good acidity and fruit sweetness and a healthy dash of white pepper on the slightly alcoholic finish. A well made wine but could do with a little more finesse.

Dan Murphy's Cleanskin Lexia, South Eastern Australia 2006

Source: Cellar
Price: AUD5 from Dan Murphy's
Closure: Screwcap; 12.0% alcohol

E-Hern:
Score: 80
Value: NR

Slightly sweet, honeyed nose. Nothing else much in terms of aromas - rather generic. Palate is off-dry, slightly flabby on the finish. Nothing out of the ordinary, a bit like drinking alcoholic fruit syrup.

Paringa Estate "Peninsular" Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsular 2006

Source: Delicatessen @ Mt. Lawley Perth
Price: Approx $A35
Closure: Screwcap; 14% Alcohol

Jing:

Score: 95+
Value: ******

Despite being a boutique winery and late bloomer into the wine market, Paringa Estate has definitely shown its prowess in making brilliant Pinot Noir. Voted best Australian Winery in 2007 by James Halliday, there was no way that I would not buy this bottle!

This immaculate pinot is brilliantly clear in colour with dark fruit notes. Decanting the bottle definitely brought out the aromas of plum and cherry . Clean and silky finish, with intense palate. palates.

Even though the winery rates the Peninsular Pinot as its 4th tier Pinot in comparison to the Estate Pinot, Reserve Selection and Barrel Selection, I would definitely love to see how it matches up with the rest! Go grab a bottle if you have the chance to!! =)

Green Point NV Brut, Yarra Valley

Source: Boutique Wine Shop @ Millenia Walk
Price: Approx $S50
Closure: Cork; 12.5% Alcohol

Jing:

Score: 90+
Value: ****

Wholly owned by Moet et Chandon, Green Point or Domaine Chandon Yarra Valley has long been one of the main tourist attractions of Yarra Valley. The vineyard tour includes a guided tour of how champagne or "sparkling wine" is made; as well as a tasting session of their finest products at the very end. I never did get a chance to walk away with a bottle that day, but interestingly enough, you can actually purchase it at the wine shop in Millenia Walk!

A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this brut has fragrant aromas of fresh citrus fruits with a clean crisp finish. A good bubbly if you are getting a little tired of straight whites!

Petaluma Red, Coonawarra 2000

Source: Cellar
Price: AUD49.90 from Dan Murphy's
Closure: Cork; 14.0% alcohol

E-Hern:
Score: 95
Value: *****

More developed, rather matured nose that is somewhat reminiscent of a Bordeaux but with more fruit. Egg-like oak together with flowery black fruits. Gorgeous nose that has plenty of character. Palate is medium-bodied with lovely integration of fruit, acid and tannin. Tannins are still rather prominent on the finish even after the tannin fades off, the primary fruit flavours are still evident and lingering. Concentrated, ripe fruit flavours together with great structure make this wine a perfect candidate for cellaring for another 5 years easily. A perfectly balance beauty that really puts Coonwarra on the map for top-notch Cabernet.

Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra 2004

Source: Ivan
Price: AUD30+ from Dan Murphy's
Closure: Screwcap; 14.0% alcohol

E-Hern:
Score: 92
Value: ****

Gorgeous and quintessential Cabernet nose from Coonawarra - lovely blackcurrant, not over-ripe and flowing with fruit but slightly restrained. Interwined beautifully with oak and hints of vanilla. Palate is medium bodied with still firm tannins but wonderfully structured. Some bark-like flavours on the palate but not too obvious. Would be great with an aged rib eye steak.

Josef Chromy Pepik Pinot Noir, Tasmania 2007

Source: Aaron
Price: Below AUD20 from Dan Murphy's
Closure: Screwcap; 12.5% alcohol

E-Hern:
Score: 87
Value: ****

Rather light in colour. Fleeting elegant aromas of cherry and some heavy peppery spices. Brisk acidity on the palate with quite a good dose of sweet red fruits. Primary and enjoyable without much influence from the oak. Tannins are smooth and unobtrusive. A simple, straightforward Pinot that goes well with the fried rice and roast chicken that we are having tonight.

Peter Lehman Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley 2002

Source: Cellar
Price: AUD 22 from Dan Murphy's
Closure: Cork; 14.5% Alcohol

E-Hern:

Score: 83
Value: **

Opulent nose of oak, mature fruit, dark chocolate and roasted coffee, slightly milky as well. Palate is surprisingly astringent with very tart acidity and alcoholic heat on the finish. Tannins are sharp and not very integrated. Rather awkward with some menthol notes on the palate. Was expecting more but must say that I'm rather disappointed.