Adam

Castello Di Ama San Lorenzo 2011

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

La Pieve Barolo 2008, Docg

Such great contrasts in this wine. Big fruit and smoked herbs and spice balanced by sharp acids and tannic grit. A real pleasure to drink and just about perfect as a match to the umami euphoria of a medium rare ribeye.

Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Block 27 Carmenère 2008, Peumo Vineyard, Peumo, Cachapoal Valley

Dense and distinctly Carmenere without the excess char you get in lesser examples. It's aroma and flavour packed with great structure to stretch out the flavours and add nice complexity. the tannins are still a bit grippy (jan. 2014) and I would expect this to smooth out nicely with a bit more bottle age.

Fairview Petite Sirah 2011, Wo Paarl

Inky blackness portends to the power inside this wine. I'm not normally a fan of wines this beefy, but the structure and complexity here with tons of roasted mocha and spice and subtle earthiness all supported in finely balanced acidity and a study backbone of tannins make it work remarkably well.