Two Hands, Sophie's Garden, Padthaway Shiraz (2007)

Padthaway, South Australia
16.5%, screwcap, around $60
www.twohandswines.com

With a soft entrance, a complex array of dark fruits and spice unfolded on the palate. Good balance and structure with a nice touch of acid at the end. Medium to full bodied - 92.5.

Scarpantoni, Block 3 Shiraz (2004)

McLaren Vale, South Australia
14.5%, cork, around $35
www.scarpantoniwines.com

Deep red. With a deceptively shy nose of plums, earth and smokey scents, this wine's bouquet was the equivalent of a wedding veil. As the veil was removed upon tasting, the overwhelming beauty and sheer power immediately became overwhelming. Its best feature by far was its elegant and silky smooth palate of intense red fruits, perfectly supported by oak, fine tannins and refreshing acidity, all in balance. Impressive structure. Medium bodied.

As if on a blind date with a stunning beauty (you know they type - they look like models and being in their presence overwhelms the nerves), I found myself mincing my words, placing ridiculously large chunks of food in my mouth and slurping away without control.

Despite this not being a blind date, it did feel like a one night stand and ever since I have been drowning in regret that I only bought one bottle all those years ago. That solitary bottle had been lying in my temperature controlled cellar for quite some time. The back label recommended that it could be consumed over 10-15 years from vintage. Having had eight years, this wine still had plenty of life. What a sensational wine - 96.   

Chapel Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon (2006)

McLaren Vale, South Australia
14.5%, screwcap, about $27
www.chapelhillwine.com.au

Deep purple. Boom! A fragrant explosion of red fruit, oak and spice. Whilst the bouquet was not particularly varietal, it was rather seductive. Mouth filling, vibrant and bright red fruit flooded the palate. Medium bodied, with incredible fruit intensity and cedar notes. Finishing with pleasing acidity - 94.  

Peter Lehmann Classic Riesling (2010)

Barossa Valley, South Australia
11%, screwcap, around $13
www.peterlehmannwines.com

Light straw in colour. With a nose of apples and white flowers. On the palate citrus notes shone through, with good line and balance. A nice match with Thai green curry. Just lacking the depth of flavour and fruit intensity for a higher score - 90.

The back label of this bottle utilised a 'Riesling Taste Profile' (pictured below). Created by the International Riesling Foundation 'to help consumers predict the taste in a particular bottle of Riesling'. To learn more about the profile click here.

The Riesling Taste Profile appears to be a useful guide to assist consumers to identify the style of Riesling that has been crafted. This Peter Lehmann Classic Riesling was marked 'medium dry', which was about right. I think its a great idea and I would love to see all Rieslings have this type of indicator on their back label.

McWiliams Mount Pleasant, Elizabeth Semillon (2010)

Hunter Valley, NSW
11.5%, screwcap, around $17
http://www.mountpleasantwines.com.au/

Mount Pleasant usually releases its Elizabeth Semillon with at least several years bottle age, so I was surprised to find bottles from the 2010 vintage on the shelves in early 2011. In past years they have occasionally put out early releases, which were labelled as such. This bottle simply stated on the back label that it had been crafted for early consumption.

With light colour, the bouquet emerged with scents of white flowers, apple and hints of citrus. I found the palate to be rather intriguing, with an array of citrus highlighted by floral notes. Good balance and structure - 91.  

Two Hands, Brave Faces Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro (2008)

Barossa Valley, South Australia
15.3%, screwcap, about $25
www.twohandswines.com

Lovelly juicy red cherry on the nose. A mouth filling and full bodied palate of red berries. Finishing with pleasing acidity. Nice length - 93.

De iuliis, Show Reserve Shiraz (2006)

Hunter Valley, NSW
13.8%, screwcap, about $26
www.dewine.com.au


Deep colour. A nose of red berries with some plums and spice. With time floral notes emerged on the nose. There was nice depth and structure to the medium-full bodied palate. Finished with grippy tannins - 93.

Tahbilk, Cabernet Shiraz (1995)

Nagambie Lakes, Victoria
12.5%, cork, approximately $35
www.tahbilk.com.au

This cellar door museum release wine was a delight. With a nose of leather, tar and hints of salami, the palate was silky smooth, exhibiting a range of primary and secondary fruit characteristics. Light to medium bodied. It showed amazing longevity and freshness for a 16 year old wine - 92.5.