Michael Loken

Cape Heights Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Western Cape

Lots of mineral elements in the taste, it was overall quite chalky. A little too much tannin and a little thin.

Beso De Vino Old Vine Garnacha 2011, Carinena

Great value for the price. Lots of red fruit with flavours of cherries and plums. This is a great wine for a casual drink.

Vieil Armand Médaille Riesling 2010, Ac Alsace

A well balanced wine, this showed some lovely honey and apple notes on the nose. For the price, I think this is a decent Riesling.

Barone Di Valforte Montepulciano D'abruzzo 2011, Doc

The wine showed a nice tannin level. Darker fruits with cassis, cherries and blackberries. This is an excellent drinking wine for the price.

Hardys Stamp Of Australia Shiraz Cabernet 2013, South Eastern Australia

For $10, there is nothing disappointing about this wine. The flavor is simple, but did have nice peppery and blackberry flavours. Better than the price suggests, but not the best wine available at this price.

The Grinder Pinotage 2013

This is a very rustic wine, with bold, unrestrained flavours. There is mocha, chocolate, tobacco, dark fruits and a bit of burlap. Overall, the wine is quite enjoyable; but (in my extremely limited experience) this grape seems to make a better blend with Shiraz then when on its own.

Trapiche Malbec Reserve 2013

Another wine from Trapiche that represents great value for money. A good quality malbec at less than $12.

K W V Contemporary Collection Chenin Blanc 2014, Western Cape

A good value wine, the aroma has herbaceous notes mixed with soft citrus. The taste was slightly buttery with moderate to low acid on the finish. This wine will please most tastes.

Château Les Tuileries 2012, Ac Entre Deux Mers

This wine was excellent for the price point. It had lovely citrus notes that were paired with a buttery finish from the oak. Enjoyed before a Bordeaux tasting, this was quite pleasing.

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough