David

Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2008, Grampians/Bendigo, Victoria

Markus Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese 2008, Prädikatswein

Domaine Du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf Du Pape 2007, Ac

Here's a well-balanced, very ripe but not baked example of Châteauneuf, from the highly regarded 2007 vintage. It's full of dusty earth and Mediterranean scrub flavours. Acid is moderate, alcohol is generous but not exaggerated and the finish is lingering. Serve with a light chill to highlight the good parts (fruit and herbs) and downplay the heat. Complex and compelling all in all. Tasted June 2011. Value Rating: **1/2

Tedeschi Amarone Della Valpolicella 2007, Doc

Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2009, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

LCJ's '09 chardonnays, like their pinots, are a generally impressive lot. The Village reserve is a particularly interesting value, delivering freshness, integrated barrel influence, and a solid dose of minerality. Refined and elegant all around, in a style that invites constant sips. Pair with crab cakes or grilled tuna steaks. It will also reward 2-4 years in a cellar.

Vidal Fleury 2009, Cotes Du Rhone

An elegant soft Cotes du Rhone with a very appealing nose of blackberry fruit with tobacco, fig and floral complexity. It is midweight and very smooth with some finely divided tannin giving nice mouthfeel. Well balanced with very good length. Best 2013 to 2016. Try with roast meats or brie cheese.

Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

The 2009 Pinot Noir Julia’s Vineyard flows from the glass with layers of sweet candied fruit, raspberries, flowers and spices. The Julia’s is impressive for its expressive varietal character and excellent balance, both quite an achievement for a wine with a 60,000 case production. This was fermented in oak barrels (27% new) and aged on its lees with batonnage for seven months

Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2010, Mendoza

Try with duck confit or rare roast beef. Best 2013 to 2016.

Cave Spring Estate Riesling 2009, Beamsville Bench

The 2009 Estate is a clean, pure, varietally accurate representation of riesling, with a notable pinch of residual sugar to soften the edges. The flavours run a modest spectrum of apple, citrus and citrus blossom, and length is moderate. For current drinking or short term cellaring.