Michael Egerton

Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2011, Marlborough

Nice fruity Pinot, with an extremely translucent rusty/ruby colour. Strong strawberry nose with a slight hint of duck fat. Tannins are mild but present, and the finish surprisingly long. Good mid summer wine. Serve chilled

Stags' Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa Valley

Deep opaque purple. This full bodied cab reveals hints of black currant currant, vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel and spice. Tight grippy tannins and green long finish make this a wine that needs to be revisited in a couple years.

Le Gravillas Plan De Dieu Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2010

Montresor Valpolicella 2012

Carmen Carmenère Reserva 2011

Castillo De Monseran Garnacha 2011

Perrin Réserve 2010, Ac Côtes Du Rhône

Sileni Cellar Selection Merlot 2012, Hawkes Bay, North Island

Light and unimpressive. Thin ruby colour and lightly sweet. It's soft tannins and medium acidity don't offer much in complexity. Hints of red candied fruit and a small smokey note on the nose. Medium length finish. I'd pass on this wine.

Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva 2008

This is an extremely rustic wine with a controversial nose of horse stable, wet animal and spice. This needs time in the glass to open up and reveal notes of herb, cherry and oak. It's medium bodied with balanced acidity and smooth tannins. At first the rustic (if not flawed) nose was a turn off but as it had time to breath was far more approachable, but at this price I'd look elsewhere.

Xavier Côtes Du Rhone 2010

A big juicy and slightly over baked fruity wine, with hints wood and moderate alcohol. At $15.95 this makes it a great value for everyday drinking.