This is an excellent La Lagune from the outstanding 2010 Bordeaux vintage. It has unmistakeable left bank aromas of cedar and blackcurrant. The palate is between medium and full bodied, the tannins are a little softer than expected for this vintage and the length on the finish is long. This is one of those wines…Continue readingChateau La Lagune Haut-Médoc 2010
This wine is from Punters Corner in Coonawarra and is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and shiraz from the 2002 vintage. It was purchased in South Australia at release, when travel outside of Victoria was a thing. The wine opens to tertiary aromas of cedar, smoke and earth. The palate is full bodied and…Continue readingPunters Corner Coonawarra Triple Crown 2002
This wine, a cabernet sauvignon merlot blend from Paul Mas and the Languedoc in the south of France, over delivers for its price. It has correct varietal aromas of blackcurrant, smoke and leaf. The palate is full bodied with savoury fruit and medium tannins that are ripe. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Website: https://www.paulmas.com/en/home/;…Continue readingDomaines Paul Mas Vignes de Nicole Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019
February seems both long ago, yet only recent, with both the rhythm of seasons and life partly frozen and confused by lockdowns. This tasting took place in Napa in February 2020. Writing in September 2020, in Melbourne, we remain in lockdown. In our city, this means being permitted only to travel up to 5 kilometres…Continue readingBordeaux 2015 tasting in Napa
We see so few Bordeaux wines in Australia that are from the left bank appellations of Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Margaux and Saint-Julien and are not a cru classé. This is a mistake, as with the improvements and price increases in Bordeaux, there is wonderful value in these villages at below cru classé level. This wine, from…Continue readingChâteau Capbern Saint-Estèphe 2015
From Mudgee in New South Wales and a vineyard at 630 metres, this is a very good cabernet sauvignon merlot blend from Gartelmann. It has attractive leather, leaf and licorice aromas, and a brooding expression. The palate is full bodied with soft tannins, piquant acidity, and a leaf/eucalyuptus character on its long finish. The alcohol…Continue readingGartelmann Cabernet Merlot 2016
The 1994 vintage of the Pichon Baron is a mature claret that remains in its drinking window at 26 years of age. The 1994s are considered a more modest vintage for left bank Bordeaux, but the better producers produce better wines, as usual. In my experience, drinking modest Bordeaux vintages from good producers (from long…Continue readingChâteau Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac 1994
This is a delightful Pauillac from Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande’s second label, the Réserve de la Comtesse. It has an aroma of blackcurrant and refined, unobtrusive cedar. The palate is medium bodied, with subtle length and a refined bearing. Ready to drink now or over the next decade. Rating: Very Good. Abv: 13.0. Price: …Continue readingRéserve de la Comtesse Pauillac 2016
Château Potensac 2015 Wine ReviewContinue readingChâteau Potensac 2015
Shaw Wines Merlot 2017 Wine ReviewContinue readingShaw Wines Merlot 2017
There are few Australian merlots I have tasted of this calibre at this price. From Tinhorn Creek in the Okanagan Valley in Canada, this wine opens to aromas of red fruits and evident oak. The palate is savoury, with notes of spice, dried herbs and red fruits. Ready to drink now or over the next…Continue readingTinhorn Creek Oldfield Reserve Merlot 2016
This merlot is from the Ferguson Valley, north of the Margaret River. It is a ripe and balanced expression of merlot, with aromatics of clove, smoke and eucalytpus. The palate reminds of red fruits and has a fresh tomato character. Ready to drink now, this is pleasant drinking. Rating: Good. Abv: 14.8%. Price: $23. Website:…Continue readingAylesbury Estate Waterfall Gully Merlot Ferguson Valley 2018