Yalumba The Menzies 2006

87+ points

Coonawarra, South Australia. 14%

Dark oaky and quite dense, brooding perhaps but also simple. At least it lacks menthol euclypt. We shall see.

For a premium wine that has been very well reviewed by Australian critics It’s fairly priced but not the bargain they suggest.

Henri Germain and Fils Meursault Clos des Mouches 2002

85 points

Once this was awfully oaky now this seems to have all faded but leaving a wine surprisingly light in colour and flavour. Odd. Not unpleasant but underwhelming.

Domaine Chandon Shiraz 2006

88 points

Heathcote, Victoria. 14.5%

A heathcote shiraz that isn’t a monster. The alcohol even feels moderate in the mouth. But there is an odd distracting dairy character.

Te Mata Estate Awatea 2002

88 points

Hawkes Bay. 14% cab merlot cab franc

Not perhaps the best Awatea. The colour is a little transparent bricky red. The nose a bit too vegetal. This was considered a good vintage in Hawkes Bay though I’ve often suspected that it produced wines a little higher in alcohol and yet less ripe than desirable.