empty_bottle

Château Saint-roch Chimères 2009, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon Villages

Deep purple, inky colour. Black licorice, dark plum, cassis, white pepper and mature black fruit. A hot wine with medium tannins, with a long smooth finish. Solid 89.

Bodegas Lan Crianza 2007, Doca Rioja

Medium body. Raspberry, rhubarb, cinnamon, oaky and tannic with a medium finish. I agree that this could benefit from decanting to soften it.

Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mendocino/Lake/Napa Counties

Notes of rich fruit, particularly dark plum, cherries and cassis, nicely laced with cocoa. Mid-weight on the palate, smooth finish and silky tannins.

Purchased this is the U.S. at a much more reasonable $12. At $25, it doesn't present the best value but still a good wine.

Tasted July 2012.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Columbia Valley

A fine wine for the price with great drinkability.

Typical Cabernet fruit: plum and cassis, with some subtle and nicely integrated pepper and earth notes. Medium body, average length and a smooth, silky finish.

Tasted August 2012.

Gérard Bertrand Saint Chinian Syrah/mourvèdre 2009, Ac

Smooth as silk. Very good value.

Korta Barrel Selection Reserve Petit Verdot 2010, Lontué Valley

A meaty, smokey, jammy wine, but rather tannic and acidic at the same time. Perhaps if this was put away over the short term it will calm down.

Tasted October, 2012.

Rabl St-laurent 2009, Kamptal, Niederösterreich

Smooth savoury with plenty of bright acidicy and young red fruit. A little tart, but a simple but enjoyable wine nonetheless.

Tasted June 2013.

Château Le Bourdieu 2009, Ac Médoc

Boutari Naoussa 2008, Pdo Naoussa

Hitting well above it's weight, a real value. Dried red fruit, potpouri, herbal notes, touch of oak, with the complexity and tannic strucutre to improve over a few years.

Tasted October 2013.

The Hogue Cellars Genesis Riesling 2010, Columbia Valley

As with many Rieslings, I had trouble getting past the petrol / waxy notes and sugary, heavy palate.

Tasted March 2013.