Steve Elder

Luis Felipe Edwards L F E 900 Single Vineyard Blend 2012

Deep garnet colour. Quite full and expressive, with ripe fruit and the tannins well integrated. Good complexity and length and carries the 14.5% alcohol well. Unusual and engaging.

Poliziano Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2012, Docg

Excellent sangiovese in the traditional style, dominated by dried fruit and earth notes. Really opened up with breathing.

Lavau Vacqueyras 2012, Ac

Grand Vin De Glenelly Red 2009, Wo Stellenbosch

Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Igt Toscana

Nice purple colour, starting to amber at the rim. Lovely, very Italian nose of dried flowers, herbs and forresty notes. Reveals itself on the palate a c-s with cassis fruit and good tannic structure. Med-bodied, with a long spicy finish. Very enjoyable, and I suspect it will continue to evolve. Fine of expression of c-s in the Italian idiom.

Château Des Charmes St. David's Bench Vineyard Gamay Noir Droit 2012, VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Muga Reserva 2008, Doc Rioja

Castello Di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2010

Just an arch-classic Chianti, full of umami-driven flavours but also endowed with ripe plum fruit. Loved this.

Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Carmenère 2008, Peumo Vineyard

Daniel Rion & Fils Vieilles Vignes Nuits St Georges 2011

Sepurb Pinot Noir. Quite pale now, but brimming with life. Nose carries fantastic array of aromas of spice and fruit; eucalyptus too. Round, mouth filling, with ripe fruit and tannins. Plenty of great Pinot Noir out there from other regions, but this is why I still stump up for Burgundy. In hindsight, a very good buy. Earlier note: At very fine PN, with deep fruit and lots of complexity. Delicious.