De Bortoli reserve yarra valley syrah 2004

Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia. 14%

Strong flavoured wine, quite funky smoky vegetal tones – not how I recall this wine. Odd bottle?

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Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2001

89 points

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France. 12.5%

From a half bottle and showing slight signs of fading, but it’s a lovely wine.

Chateau Bernadotte 2000

89 points

Haut Medoc, 13%

Medium concentration open knit, savoury food oriented claret. Not in any way forced or commercial. Perfect table wine Drink now and over the next 4 years.

Yalumba The Virgilius Viognier 2005

90 points

Eden Valley, South Australia. 13.5%

Very well crafted, and nicely restrained alcohol. Gentle pop-corn aromas. I liked how this lacked the overt oily fruity flavours of Voignier.

Tyrrell’s Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz 2002

90 points

Hunter Valley,New South Wales, Australia. 13.5%

For some reason I expected this wine to be delicate. It’s elegant but not delicate. Nice concentration, well balanced oak, good savoury flavour, and considerable acidity. I wish I had some in my cellar – drink from 2010.

Valenciso Reserva Rioja 2001

80 points

Authentic Rioja with nicely handled old oak. But disappointing for the vintage.

Curly Flat Chardonnay 2006

87++ points

Macedon Ranges, Victoria. Australia. 13.5%

Intense wine currently dominated by French oak. Worth watching over the next 3-5 years.