Mike de Maria

Osborne Pedro Ximenez 1827, Dop

Delicious stuff. Thick with prunes, dried figs, raisins, dark chocolate, bitter walnuts, with some acidity to help balance the syrupy texture. Grab a plate of fresh and dried fruit, some nuts, a couple hunks of good cheese and a bottle of this....

Château De Beaucastel Châteauneuf Du Pape 2009

Château De Beaucastel Châteauneuf Du Pape 2007

De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2007, New South Wales, 25th Anniversary Vintage

André Clouet Brut Grand Réserve Champagne, Ac

I've never really been a "Champagne" or even "Sparkling Wine" guy. I just never saw what all the fuss was about. I've had the value wines (Cava, Prosecco, Cremant, etc.) and some of the well known Champagnes (Moet, Dom, Veuve). I've just never found any to be all that memorable. This was the first time I've ever had a "wow" experience with a sparkling wine. As soon as you start pouring this, the aroma fills the area. I found myself constantly nosing the wine. The palate had so much going on, and then the finish just lingered. Stunning.

Farina Le Pezze Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2006, Doc

One bottle was corked. Other bottle was nice. For $32, this is a great introduction to Amarone. You can pop and pour this wine and it will drink wonderfully. It's not over the top in terms of "raisin" and "dried fruit" flavours and aroma, and has a nice bit of acidity and freshness. Some wines are obviously Amarone...this one, not so much. A very enjoyable wine.

Anaperenna By Ben Glaetzer Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Barossa Valley

This rating is based on the wine 'right now' (November 2012), not what it might become with a little more time.

This is a big, rich, concentrated, somewhat typical Australian wine. But it does have some excellent complexity, and some balancing freshness. I still think it's a little over extracted for the amount of freshness it delivers.

My main issue right now is that it's a little too oaky right off the bat. After a few hours in the decanter (or the next day from the bottle) it's better, so if you've got some, I'd say to hold them at least a few more years (I did not detect any acetone).

Château Du Cèdre Cahors 2009

Elegant and complex, with a firm structure. Delicious. Nice balance, and food friendly.

This is nice to drink now, and I'm curious how it will taste with more age.

Dutschke Willow Bend Shiraz/Cabernet/Merlot 2009, Barossa Valley, South Australia

This is a rich, concentrated, yet (in the words of Sara d'Amato) fine and focused Barossa blend.

It's a delicious mix of black fruits, licorice, baking spice and black pepper. After some time in the decanter, it finishes with some added earthy notes (truffles?). But it's the acidity that keeps this from becoming yet another Australian fruit bomb.

On the palate it's mouth coating and smooth, but with freshness and some structure providing great length.

Overall, well worth the $21.

I usually take 3-4 points away from James Halliday reviews, but he may have underestimated this one...

Chateau Tanunda Barossa Tower Shiraz 2010, Barossa

Rich, sweet, and dense, with a little acidity to keep it from going way over the top, but still a little too thick for my liking. I don't really get the 'elegant' feel at all from this.

Smooth with smoke, black fruits, cedar, and meat juice on the lengthy finish.

Needs a decent chill to temper the alcohol.

This was nothing special.