92 points
Margaux. 13%
First impressions are of a slightly weedy wine, but given a little time to breathe and come to room temperature and it blossoms. Gorgeous complexity of age and oak. Wonderful savoury light-on-its-feet table wine.
Not exactly typical Margaux, there is a du Tertre style of oak that dominates.
Bon vin.
88 points
Medoc. 14%
Another fine effort from this Cru Bourgeois. If you liked the 2009 you’ll want to buy this too. Still a bargain.
89 points
Burgundy. 13%
There is some off-putting Brett on the nose, in fact nothing really to attract, but the palate is a revelation. Good core of ripe fruit. Acidity in balance.
Drinking well with perhaps 10 years ahead of it still.
88 points
Pauillac, Bordeaux. 13.5%
The flash 2nd wine of GPL. Usually a relaxed stylish cabernet. I expected more oomph in 2009 but the flavours a just a bit riper no extra concentration.
As usual good drinking at an early age. Sophistication ahead of its price.
91+ points
Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux. 13.5%
Gosh this is like just fermented juice. No that gives the wrong impression, what I mean to say is that this is very much clear primary flavours, juicy. Yet not so sweet as a young Margaret River Cabernet, less blackcurrent. More texture too.
Another great cru Bourgeois from 2009. A standout vintage where minor wines give fantastic early pleasure.
85 points
Montefalco, Italy. 14.5%
I discovered Sangrantino di Montefalco, made from the grape Sangrantino, quite a few years ago when staying in a little Umbrian village Todi, where it was the local wine – and practically the only one available. Back then it was unknown to the outside world, but got discovered shortly afterwards and I saw bottles in the US and Singapore.
It’s always a rich wine, of robust alcohol 13.5-14.5 but clearly there has been international, particularly US influence. This is pretty extracted, high octane, heavily oaked. Not a charming wine. Beats up my tongue.
It’s intense. I think there is quite a lot in this wine, maybe time will work wonders though at 12 years old it’s hardly blossoming. Breathe for a good hour.
86 points
Hunter Valley, NSW. 14%. Screwcap
I’m disappointed, this wine hasn’t developed as well as I hoped. Or perhaps simply isn’t as good as I once thought.
There are some interesting leather tones but the main impression is overly ripe grapes rather than regional character. Lacks the finesse, acid of great Hunter shiraz.
80 points
Adelaide Hills, South Australia. 14.5%
Very young. Dark. Sweet. Ripe vintage in SA.
Cosmetic floral honeysuckle flavour tones – I’m really not sure why people add Viognier to Aussie shiraz. Perhaps there is just too much here. Perhaps it needs 10 years in bottle.
91+ points
Grampians, Victoria. 13.5% screwcap
This is very good. Sleek, concentrated, great flavour. Quite fresh and young, has long life ahead of it. Great components, bright savoury fruit, restrained French oak. Impressive young wine.
Enjoy now or in 10 years time.
89 points
Barossa Valley, South Australia. 14.5%
I’d forgotten how Penfolds this wine is, the added acid and sunstantial oak. Best after breathing. These are wines best consumed young for the bright fruit or as old as possible (definitly 12+ years).
PS Awesome bottle. Best back label in Australia.
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