Adam

Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2007, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Beautiful wine here. Very sophisticated nose of cherry, mocha, sweet spice and, as David notes, a hint earthy / smokey evergreen. These follow on a densely layered palate with excellent balance and length. Hallmark Aussie Shiraz, but dressed up for a black tie evening at the Ritz. All class.

Castello Di Ama San Lorenzo 2011

Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2007, Mclaren Vale

I have a longstanding love of Pirramimma wines and ths PV is no exception. Nice deep black fruit and herb aromas with hints of incense/wood. On the palate the fruit is immediately present followed by a long and integrated evolution of flavours from toasted oak to chocolate to fresh herbs. (yes mint). Great balance and persistance I'm going to try really hard to keep a few bottles in the cellar for a few years but the temptation to drink them all now may be too much!!

Sequillo Cellars Red 2009, Wo Swartland

Incredible nose bursting with black current, black cherry and raspberry with layers of violet, white pepper and damp rich earth. The palate is equally concentrated and powerful but with a light, juicy mouth feel brought on by very fresh acidity and smooth but assertive tannins. Full bodied at 14.5% but the alcohol is well integrated. It definitely has what you might describe as "raw" purity ... Not everyone will enjoy the mouth puckering focus of this wine but you'll appreciate it's depth of aromas and flavours and great length. I'd recommend some breathing time and a slight chill to 18c or so.

Marqués De Cáceres Gran Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja

Lots of layered complexity here - dark fruit, toasted herbs, mint, sweet tobacco, mocha - no one impression overwhelming another. The structure is firm without many edges leading to a great balanced mouthfeel and long finish.

Polkura Syrah 2009, Marchigue, Colchagua Valley

Svelte aromas of ripe blue/black fruit, violet, subtle smokey tar, and a hint of pepper. The palate is much the same flavour profile, smooth and beautifully balanced with silky tannins and a long warm finish. Nice wine.

Schloss Reinhartshausen Erbacher Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese 2005, Prädikatswein

Aromas of candied fruit and honey. The palate is very finely balanced, sweet but not overwhelmingly so, with typical apricot, orange and honey flavors. There is some suggestion of noble rot as well. Long silky finish. Very nice!

Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2012, Wo

Packs a serious punch of flavour and complexity. Racy isn't enough to describe the liveliness if this wine. Citrus and crisp green apple aromas intermingle with stone and orchard fruit and hard core minerality to offer up a super intriguing wine for under $20. The palate is biting and sharp but underpinning a serious core of fruit, minerality and caramel toastiness. Lots to enjoy here.

Antiche Terre Venete Amarone Della Valpolicella 2008, Doc

Mocha, prune, and fig aromas dominate but a chemical / acetone / epoxy undertone contaminates a little. the palate brings some ripe dark cherry, proceeding to a slightly sour mid palate and eventually a slightly astringent and gritty but very long finish with fruit still present. It's on the low end of the Amarone price point but I'd say spend another $5-10 for an upgrade.

Bel Echo Pinot Noir By Clos Henri 2012

Cherry, plum and earthy, peppery spice grace this wine with a beautifully subtle and layered complexity, all over a racy backbone of acidity, astringency and soft tannins. Gorgeous mouthfeel, long finish with such great contrast between the flavour and "angular" (to borrow from the apt review above) bitterness. Loved this wine.