It's only wine but I like it

Brittan Vineyards Basalt Block Pinot Noir, 2015, Mcminville

Complex and concentrated pinot, with flavours of sour cherries, cranberry, hints of pepper, and quite stemmy. Finishes with some tannin and notable acidity. A wine of considerable character, but one that I never really warmed up to, one that never really drew me in. Perhaps another 18-24 months would help. Certainly interesting, if not particularly pleasurable. Tasted Nov 2021.

Isole E Olena Chianti Classico 2021, Docg

Superb Chianti Classico, with pitch perfect acidity and tannin, bright red fruit, a bit of spice and herbs and well folded-in oak. Great wine with or without food. Drinking very well now, though I believe that this can hold another 5 years or so for a more mature expression. Tasted Dec 2025.

Fuligni Brunello Di Montalcino 2008, Docg

At first, quite light on the palate, almost like a Chianti Classico. However, given time in the glass, this fills out and opens up. A rather fresh medium-bodied style of Brunello, perhaps reflecting the vintage. Bright red cherry fruit, showing some maturity with some dried fruit notes on the finish along with bright acidity and silky tannin. Really grew on me the more I sipped. Fine stuff. Drinking now, should hold another half dozen years or so. Tasting July 2020.

Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley

Beautfully smooth, with ample flavours of dried fruit, carmel, and nuts. Long, not excessively sweet, and wonderful to sip on a cool fall evening. A benchmark tawny. Sad to say that this can be had for almost $20 cheaper in the US. Drink now or whenever. Tasted Nov 2012.

Taylor Fladgate Estates Collection Vintage Ports 2005, "Btld. 2007, With Wooden Gift Box"

The Vargellas, tasted from the 375ml bottle. Deeply coloured and richly flavoured, with huge dark fruit, spice, and dried fruit. Wonderful balance, as is the norm for Taylors, with sweetness and acidity perfectly matched and a long, long finish. Thoroughly enjoyable now, but really needs to be forgotten in a cellar for 10 years or so as this will surely only improve from here. Tasted June 2012.

Punset Barbaresco 2008

When I pulled the cork, it was soaked nearly to the end, I was fearing the worst.
My worries were misguided, this Barbaresco is really singing, Full of life and complexity. No hint of oxidation, but plenty of red fruit, dried fruits and a long finish. I guess you might call this traditional in the sense that the wine is not overripe or heavily oaked. Just delicious! Probably at its peak now. Tasted Dec 2024.

Château Dauzac 2009, Ac Margaux, 5e Cru

The 2005 vintage:

Still remarkable youthful even at almost 12 years of age. Deep purple in colour, ripe blackberry fruit with a bit of tartness. Quite a bit of oak, but not over the top...it does show in a bit of bitterness. Complex and long finishing with a whack of notable tannin. Really not quite ready for drinking yet, needs another 3-5 years. I can imagine this wine living past 2030 with ease. Tasted May 2017.

Aurelio Settimo Rocche Dell'annunziata Barolo 2015, Docg

Excellent Barolo, now in its peak drinking window though this should hold for several more years. Tasted Sep 2024.

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Marlborough, South Island

Riper than most Sauvignons, with a bit of an exotic fruit component. Yet, the wine retains its acidity, giving it a crisp, clean character along with herbal notes as well. Superb balance, and very delicious. Unfortunately, the price is up $3 since the last time I had this Sauv (the '21), but it is still very finely priced for the quality on offer. Like the '21. immediately open for business yet I think ageable a few years. Tasted Dec 2025.

Castello Di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva Docg 2017

Splendid CCR here from Volpaia. Complex and long finishing. Red cherry, hints of sour cherry, with silky smooth tannin and Sangiovese acidity. This estate has gone from strength to strength over the years and though the prices have increased on this and the normale CC, the quality improvements have more than kept pace. A go-to CC producer every vintage, Drinking well now, but should hold a few more years. Tasted Mar 2024.