De Bortoli, Vat 8 Shiraz (2008)

South Australia and Victoria, Australia
14%, screwcap, around $14
www.debortoli.com.au

Smells of plums and mulberries. The palate has balance, though it isn't overly complex or long. A dash of oak. Somewhat sharp on the finish. That said, this wine is good value - 86.

Centennial, Barbera (2008)

Orange, New South Wales
15.3%, cork, around $25
www.centennial.net.au

With a nose of prunes and raisins, this medium to full bodied red wine had not benefited from time in the bottle. Notwithstanding the palate of luscious berries and supple tannins, this wine finished with sharp and harsh acidity along with some metallic notes, which tainted the overall impression of the wine - 83.  

Di Lusso, Barberra (2010)

Mudgee, New South Wales
approx 14.5%, around $26
www.dilusso.com.au

This wine displayed immaculate balance, with all components seamlessly blending together in a tight knit fashion. In that context, it was the intense blackberry on the nose and palate that played the staring role, set perfectly within a dry and savoury style. A delightful wine - 94.

Piggs Peake, House of Sticks Shiraz (2007)

Hunter Valley, New South Wales
15.5%, screwcap, around $28
www.piggspeake.com

A nose of prunes and charcoal with some red berries. Upon entrance, the soft mouthfeel was immediately discernible, followed by dull fruit, which then lead to a sharp finish and some warmth from the alcohol. I recall liking it when I sampled it at the cellar door years ago. However, this wine may have been crafted for early consumption as opposed to the five years that I have allowed it to have. Quite disappointing really - 82.

McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon (2005)

Hunter Valley, New South Wales
11.5%, screwcap, around $24
www.mountpleasantwines.com.au

Years ago, I searched a ridiculous number of wine outlets in Sydney looking for this wine. Knowing that 2005 was a grand year for Semillon in the Hunter Valley, I had been waiting for the 2004 vintage to run dry and for 2005 to finally be released. It remains unclear to me just how much was sent to the market place at the time, but I was unable to find one bottle of 2005. Every store had the 2007 vintage instead! Thus it was a case of serendipity, when during a recent holiday on the mid north coast of NSW, I stumbled upon a bottle of Cellar Aged 2005 Elizabeth in the local bottle shop. 

This wine was spectacular. With a lighter colour than would be expected for a seven year old wine, the wine was shrouded in a bouquet of lemony goodness. The bottle age shone through on the palate which showed intense citrus characters and a delightfully creamy texture. Fantastic value - 95. 

P.s. The 2005 vintage is still available from the cellar door for $118 per dozen. I'm told there isn't much left. What a surprise.   

Tamburlaine, Reserve Semillon (2010)

Hunter Valley, New South Wales
10.8%, screwcap, Certified Organic, $25
www.mywinery.com

Light straw in colour. A classic Hunter Semillon with subdued and delicate lemon and lime blossom flavours. It has good line and length. Impressive structure, it has been crafted for the long hall - 93.

Vasse Felix, Classic Dry White Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (2010)

Margaret River, Western Australia
12.5%, screwcap, around $18
www.vassefelix.com.au

The bouquet was tropical with passion fruit and melon. On the palate the Semillon opened the show with grassy and herbaceous notes, and Sauvignon Blanc was the closing act with flavours of tropical fruit salad. A crisp and refreshing wine - 90.  

Hamiltons Bluff, Sangiovese (2007)

Cowra, New South Wales
15.4%, around $28
www.hamiltonsbluff.com

With a slightly volatile nose, this wine packed a punch with a full bodied palate of intense fruit. Time in bottle had probably been quite favourable to the tannins, which were unobtrusive and supported by medium acidity. The palate was dry and had good length - 93.