Steve Elder

Les Hauts Du Castellas Vacqueyras 2007, Ac

May 2013: Quite evolved now, with the fruit into the secondary stage. Lovley nose of violets, and just loaded with flavour. Drink soon, but still so delicious.
Sept 2011: Finally got around to cracking one of these open. A very nice surprise, combining clean ripe fruit flavours with lots of herb and garigue character -- rates high on the umami scale. Will hold well for a couple of years yet, but raring to go now.

Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto 2007, Igt Rosso Dei Colli Della Toscana Centrale

Aug 2012: Very fine, and very Tuscan, with the Cab supporting the Sangiovese to give body and richness. Nose is full & ripe, with nice herbal notes and something like the "cigar box" you get from good Bordeaux. Full bodied, round and just loaded with earthy, umami-driven flavour --clean as a whistle, though, nothing funky. Lovely lingering finish. Lovely now, but plenty of life left.

Bouchard Père & Fils 2007, Ac Beaune Du Château Premier Cru

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2007, Igt Toscana

Domaine Belle Les Pierrelles Crozes Hermitage 2007, Ac

August 2012. Pulled this from the cellar, having not tasted it when purchased. Good deep colour, just beginning to fade to pinke at the rim. Very nice peppery, heather nose with ripe fruit beneath. Fully ripe, but flavours are driven by the earth tones. Tannins are ripe, but this will hold a while yet. All in all, right on target for Northern Rhone, if not quite reaching to the heights of the big boy wines from Hermitage or Cote Rotie.

Domaine Marchand Grillot Morey Saint Denis 2008, Ac

Quite pale brick red, showing its age at this point. Nose is subdued but nice strawberry scents with just a suggestion of forrest floor. Med bodied, juicy with ripe tannins and nice seam of acidity. Clean, mordern winemaking, but certainly from a modest vintage. Lacks depth.

Norman Hardie County Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Prince Edward County, Unfiltered

This is still going strong; quite amazing given how young the vines must have been when this was made. Pale translucent ruby in colour. Absolutely stunning nose of berries and violets with a bit of earth thrown in for good measure. Quite round and only light to med bodied, but full fruit flavours and a persistent finish. Lovely PN all in all; another winner from Norm Hardie and certainly justifies the price.

Pasquale Pelissero Barbaresco 2007, Docg

Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Carmenère 2009, Peumo Vineyard, Rapel Valley

Tawse Sketches Of Niagara Riesling 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula