Blair WineLover

Mcwilliam's Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2007, Hunter Valley

This wine did not work for me at all. It tastes like a not so good heavily oaked chardonnay. Michael Godel uses words like stenosis and petrol. I should have listened to him.

Frei Brothers Reserve Zinfandel 2012, Dry Creek Valley

It tastes like what I expect from a Zinfandel, except that it is extremely smooth. It is pretty good right now. This is a repeat buy.

Uccelliera Rosso Di Montalcino 2012, Doc

Wow, love the pepper. With the strong fruit, I could easily believe it was from Sonoma. A great bottle of wine, as it should be for this price.

Quinta Da Romaneira Touriga Nacional 2010

It starts with a slightly sour cherry taste, but it is wonderfully smooth, and gets better with each sip. This is a truly excellent wine.

Poliziano Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2007, Docg

The smoothness and peppery taste reminds me of a Chateaunneuf du Pape. This quality for the price is amazing.

Heredad De Baroja Gran Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja

What a contrast with the Australian fruit bomb I had last night, which, by the way, was very good. Even the reviewers here do not have much to say about fruit. For me, this wine is all about feel. A silky smooth beginning, followed by a complex and slightly hot middle. Then a long but subtle finish.

I would not introduce my country cousin to wine with this, but I find this wine to be a pleasant adventure.

Sister's Run Epiphany Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale, South Australia

The rich, intense taste hits you right from the start. But as is common for Australian Shiraz around this price point, it does not completely cover up the sharp edges. Shiraz lovers will score this higher than I do.

Estate Hatzimichalis Chardonnay 2010

This did not work for me. It was neither subtle, nor golden buttery, but some mineral tasting in-between. And it declined over time, with a taste I cannot describe but do not like becoming more prominent. Canadian chardonnay is just as good for that price.

Sasso Al Poggio 2006, Igt Toscana

I taste sour black cherry. It has some length, but I do not taste the promised chocolate. It is not all that smooth to start, and by the end of the second glass the flaws become more apparent. This is yet another overrated twenty dollar wine.

Château Rahoul 2005, Ac Graves

It started with a slight whiff of sewage, which was fixed with a good decanting. Very smooth, classic Bordeaux, but not great complexity or a long finish. Is it worth thirty bucks? I have a soft spot for Bordeaux, so I think so. A very pleasant wine.