Neil Phillips

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia, 53rd Vintage

Deep dark red, with a dark purple rim.

Leather predominant on the nose, dark cherry, cassis, slight stew, pepper is there but muted under the fruit, hint of herb and anise too - and mineral.

Fruit goes on all the way, with a mineral back-bone. Eucalyptus. Tannins strong but not overly aggressive, lend to a long finish. Medium-plus (balanced) alcohol.

Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf Du Pape 2015, Ap

Lush with lots of red fruit compote, some Nibs, sage, black pepper and aged balsamic. More fruit than savoury.

Tannins are medium+, but still quite smooth. Well-balanced, it carries 15% with ease.

This CdP is drinking well now, and will certainly age.

Tasted September 2018.

J.L. Chave Crozes Hermitage Rouge Silène 2014

Complex aromas of earth, blackberries, plum, black pepper, mushrooms, cured meat.

On the palate, cracked black pepper, plum & blackberry jam, leafy herbs. Fruit,pepper and slight savoury finish. Perhaps not as nuanced as the nose would suggest.

Tasted October 2016.

Aurelio Settimo Rocche Dell'annunziata Barolo 2008

Nose of tomato leaf, anise, sage, oolong tea and stewed cherries. Slight spiced pancetta.

Tart raspberry and cherry on the palate. Chewy tannins with high acid.

This is old-school and demanding; perfect for food. Not beefy, but mid-weight. Great long finish. Will definitely improve with cellaring.

Tasted November 2014.

Château Haut Bailly 2011, Ac Pessac Léognan

Nose of red berries, black currant, black plums, vanilla, graphite, floral notes.

Complex palate of cassis, bramble, light baking spice, plum compote, anise.

HB has plantings of all six Bordeaux red varietals, with the minor three (Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenere) all having a very small role in this blend.

Tannins are still grippy; finish is long and savoury.

While drinking well now, would still consider too young to fully appreciate.

Tasted January 2017.

Calera Pinot Noir 2015, Central Coast

Marques De Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Luscious Cab Sauv from the Maipo in Chile.

Nose of black fruit jam, mocha, vanilla, hint of black pepper, bramble.

Full and inviting on the palate, with gobs of fruit and a sweet undertone - but not at all cloying. Smooth tannins and a finish that goes on long. Slight herbaceousness on the finish adds a nice complexity to the fruit.

Tasted July 2018.

Château Fuissé Pouilly Fuissé Tête De Cru 2008

This is a blend of grapes from over 20 vineyard sites, vinified separately to make the “top blend”.

Light golden in colour, with notes of white flowers, almond, honeysuckle and light caramel. On the palate, luscious in the mouth, with bitter almond, citrus, and a medium-plus finish.

Tasted December 2014.

Domaine Les Yeuses Les épices Syrah 2012, Igp Pays D'oc

Dark and brooding on the nose, there's more meat, smoke and grilled Portobello mushrooms than pepper (though it's there). All that overlays dark blackberries and plums, with a nice spicy garrigue and moss. There's a lot going on in the nose here.

On the palate, surprisingly nimble after an extra year in bottle. Chalky but smoothing tannins, cured meats on the finish. The 13.5%ABV makes this a moderate-weight wine as well; lots of flavour without the alcohol heft, but perfectly in balance.

Stunning at the price: great value. But decidedly a style not for everyone.

Tasted October 2015.

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 16 Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2012

On the nose: tart cherry, wild strawberry, red plum, dried cranberry, mushroom, dill, white pepper, hint of smoke, cedar.

Similar red fruit flavours, nicely balanced medium levels of acid, tannins and alcohol.

Tasted November 2016.