- 2001 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (2019-03-30)
Every bottle seems to be different now. This was very tight for almost two hours: mouthpuckering tannins but with a lovely, fragrant nose of iron, game and cherry. It started to settle down, though, and the fruit made more of an appearance, and it turned into an aging though still lively, classic Donjon. Not the best bottle I've had, though. (A-) - 2008 Long Shadows Wineries Merlot Pedestal - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (2019-03-30)
When first opened, there were mainly minty notes- almost Coonawarra-like. But these dissipated with air, and the wine integrated into a lovely blend of red and black fruits, tar, tobacco and still healthy tannins. A powerful but not too big Merlot that was rather cab-like. There is no rush to open this, but it is drinking very well with some air now. (A-/A) - 2005 De Toren Fusion V - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch (2019-03-25)
Had this a couple of days ago. I was worried it would be past it a bit, but this wasn't an issue at all. Still rather youthful, but well integrated, with the impressive concentration and intensity the main things I remember. Complex flavours of red and black fruits and a herbal note on the full bodied palate. drinking well now, but should last quite a while yet. Impressive powerful yet balanced wine (A-/A) - 2013 Famille Perrin / Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Les Christins - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras (2019-03-17)
This is really opening up now, and the syrah really makes its presence known. There is an earthy, gamy note in this wine now that I enjoy. Medium bodied, well balanced, it should last a few years yet easily. (A-) - 2016 Bench 1775 Sémillon - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (2019-03-17)
Didn't take notes, but this showed a classic semillon nose and palate. This is a low alcohol, light version, not quite as light as a Hunter Valley version, but close. There is the oily note that semillon often shows, and the flavours are mainly in the citrus realm. Has nice intensity and thirst quenching acidity. It would be interesting to age a bottle of this to see where it goes over time. (B+) - 2007 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (2019-03-17)
Hazy notes from a few nights ago. This was solid, but not much more. Mainly redfruits (cherries, plums) on the medium bodied, smooth palate. Not a huge amount of complexity, but nicely integrated now and well balanced. Not good QPR at all. (B+) - 2003 Artadi Rioja Pagos Viejos - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja (2019-03-15)
Deep ruby with some bricking. A nice nose of plums, cherries, tar, and tobacco. Medium bodied, smooth, rich, concentrated palate of ripe red fruits, including some pomegranate, and some healthy tannins at the back of the palate. Is the fruit starting to dissipate? A nice wine certainly, a modern version of Rioja, but definitely not great QPR. (B+/A-) - 2005 Château Cap de Faugères - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux (2019-03-10)
Just had a couple of tastes of this, but this was a solid Bordeaux blend that was drinking well now. Medium-full bodied, a somewhat modern style, a mix of black and red fruits, nicely integrated now. (B+) - 2010 Buty Rediviva of the Stones - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (2019-03-09)
Nice, smooth wine with a nice texture and a mix of red and black fruits, and some gamy notes. I'm not sure this wine is improving over time, but it is certainly still drinking well and should last several years. (B+/A-) - 2012 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Terrunyo Block Las Terrazas - Chile, Maipo Valley, Pirque (2019-03-08)
This still took a little while to open. Didn't take notes, but this was a nice cabernet, with a great balance between the fruit, acid and tannins. Lots of blackfruits and some earthy notes and herbs on this medium to full bodied wine; smooth with no rough edges. This should last a while yet. (A-) - 2008 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières (2019-03-05)
Had this after an oxidized 2003 Chamboureau Savennieres. This was much more like it, with all the funky, oily textures chenin and Savennieres in particular on show. Medium bodied, nicely textured wine that still hasn't hit its plateau. (A-) - 2003 Château de Chamboureau Savennières Cuvée d'Avant - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières (2019-03-05)
The colour alone told me this was oxidized. There was still some chenin flavours underneath the oxidation, and it was drinkable and enjoyable if you aren't an oxidation hater. One bottle left: I'll leave it, hoping for a miracle. (B-) - 2012 Westrey Pinot Noir Oracle Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (2019-03-03)
Didn't take notes from last week, but this is drinking very well now. The silky texture is what I remember most about this medium bodied, elegant wine. It had the classic OR earthy cherries and Indian spice mix as well. No hurry on this wine. (A-) - NV Chambers Rosewood Muscadelle (Tokay) - Australia, Victoria, North East, Rutherglen (2019-02-23)
Had this over a few days after being in my cellar for several years. My previous note is still relevant, very sweet, mouthfilling and a small glass is enough. But well done in its classic Rutherglen style. (B+) - 2003 Majella The Malleea - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra (2019-02-23)
Notes from second day open. This opened up a bit and improved on the second day. Youthful in appearance with very little bricking. Thinner than normal cork which disintegrated into pieces immediately. Mainly blackfruits in the moderate nose but also some plums and a hint of mint. Full bodied with healthy but ripe tannins still, again mainly blackfruits, but the shiraz in the blend does give it some plushness and redfruits in the mid palate; a tobacco and cedary, oaky note is certainly still there. A prickle of added acid too perhaps? Definitely ready now, but should last a little while yet. (B+/A-) - 2011 Melini Chianti Classico Riserva Vigneti La Selvanella - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (2019-02-15)
Dark ruby with a slight bit of bricking. A mix of plums, cherries with coffee and tar. Medium bodied on the palate, with complex notes of cherries, coffee, tobacco herbs and earthy notes. Nice balanced mix of fruit, acid and tannins. A nice Chianti drinking well now (but will last) (B+/A-) - 2012 Taylors Cabernet Sauvignon Jaraman - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley (2019-02-12)
Hazy notes from a couple of days ago. Solid cabernet, with the requisite blackberry and slight herbal notes. Medium bodied, very plush and rather modern, low acid and only a hint of tannins. Fruit forward. This tastes like it was made in the winery rather than in the vineyard: a recipe seems to have been followed. (B/B+) - 2002 Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Auslese - Germany, Rheinhessen (2019-02-04)
Light golden in colour. Honey, oranges (botrytis), brown sugar and tropical fruits on the nice nose. More of the same on the smooth, slightly oily palate and a long finish. All the fruits are starting to integrate nicely now. Off dry to sweet in style. Very nice (A-/A) - 2010 Domaine de la Taille aux Loups Montlouis-sur-Loire Remus Plus - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Montlouis-sur-Loire (2019-02-04)
This was a good bottle: there seems to be a fair amount of variation. It's getting darker in colour now, with the nose and medium bodied palate being a unique blend of pear, pineapple, wet wool and a smoky note. Always an interesting wine! (B+/A-) - 2011 Abbaye Sylva Plana Faugères Le Songe de l'Abbé - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Faugères (2019-02-03)
My last bottle. The fruit continues to recede a little bit, and the iron and ash notes were noticeable. Still a nice, different wine, but I think this peaked a few years ago. (B+) - 2001 Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Capitel Monte Olmi - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (2019-01-29)
From a 375ml bottle. Browning in colour now, with some bricking. Deep rich, sweet cherries and iron on the nose. Medium-full bodied, with a smooth, sweet, concentrated palate with dark cherries, rich plums and semi-sweet chocolate; there are still some tannins and a lot of sediment. Very Amarone. (A-) - 2001 Pierre André au Château de Corton André Pommard - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard (2019-01-28)
Corked - damn tree bark. Unfortunate as always, The wine wasn't over the hill at all, with the fruit still alive and fresh, but definitely corked. NR (flawed) - 2009 Waters Syrah Forgotten Hills - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (2019-01-26)
As others have noted, a very savoury style here, with lots of gamy, leathery notes and considerable funk. Medium bodied, perhaps just a missing in the midpalate and its concentration, but still quite a nice wine. I'd drink up fairly soon. (A-) - 2009 Majella Shiraz Sparkling - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra (2019-01-19)
A very nice version of sparkling shiraz, as usual for Majella. Deep in colour, with a nice nose of plums, cherries and brown sugar, and these are the flavours in the smooth, silky palate as well (B+) - 2009 St Hallett Shiraz Blackwell - Australia, South Australia, Barossa (2019-01-18)
Had this last week. I haven't had a Barossa shiraz for quite a while, and this bottle brought me back in time. It had that brown sugar note on the nose and palate that I associate with older examples of this region/variety. Quite sweet and rich on the palate, a big wine, but very smooth with lots or ripe red fruits and a hint of pepper/spice on the finish. No heat or overripe notes in this bottle. Well done in the style, but its not really my style anymore (B+). - 2008 La Bête Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville (2019-01-13)
Slight browning is evident now, and this pinot is likely on a slow decline. There are strawberries, cherries, forest floor and a gamy note on the smooth, medium bodied palate. I’d drink em up if you still have 'em. (B+)