Steve Elder

Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827, Dop

Paul Cluver Estate Pinot Noir 2017, Wo, South Africa

Bodegas Y Viñedos Alion 2006

Second tasting Mar 2019: A completely different experience. Pitch perfect fruit, with excellent floral and mineral complexity. On the oak-y side, but to be expected. Long and satisfying finish. Suspect that they first bottle might have had cork taint, or really just was in a dumb period.
This was a disappointment. Maybe I approached it too early. Maybe it's in a "dumb" period. Perhaps this was a bottle with mild taint. But whatever the reason, it simply didn't provide much of anything. Dull fruit, dull mouth feel, unexceptional finish.

Manzone Gramolere Barolo 2007, Docg

Excellent blend of traditional and modern styles with earthy complexity and vibrant fruit flavours.
Second bottle Oct 2018: Aging gracefully, but a bit shyer. Needed some time to open up (didn't decant, and should have). All dried flowers and gentle tannins at this stage; could hold a few years more I'm sure.

Montes Purple Angel 2007

Sat on this for a few years to see what would emerge -- very impressive wine with depth, complexity and a finesse I did not expect. Still very deep ruby, and nose very ripe. Full bodied, with the tannins ripe and nice use of oak. The only thing I'd say is that I would not have guessed this as carménère -- I amost missed the green flavours.

One last note: absurdly heavy bottle. Actually weighed it -- over 1 kg! More than double a standard bottle. To me, has the opposite effect of that intended: makes me less likely to buy again.

Trius Showcase Riesling Ghost Creek 2019, Four Mile Creek, Niagara On The Lake

Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf Du Pape 2012, Ac

What a complete and compelling wine! Still quite full ruby colour, and nose is youthful too. Ripe berries, wild flowers, and incredibly delicious mineral notes on the mid-palate. Tannins are fully resolved and everything just works. Full bodied, but such energy and airiness. Not sure anyone but the French can make wine like this. Has reached a beautiful plateau that will last for many years.

Tournon Shays Flat Vineyard Shiraz 2016, Pyrenees, Victoria

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Lieu Dit Malakoff Shiraz 2010, Pyrenees

Wow! This really is "France meets Australia." Tremendous depth and complexity matched with perfect fruit. Easy to overlook this, except that you keep on noticing how delicious it is. Not exactly bargain basemet price, but stacked against a Hermitage it is!

Domaine Taupenot Merme Bel Air Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru 2007, Ac