Michael Loken

Remo Farina Le Pezze Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2012, Docg

Really quite excellent. Amarones have a tendency to be overly sweet, but this wine was balanced with a nice level of tannins to leave the palette somewhat refreshed and not overwhelmed. A really nice expression of the grapes which made everyone go for another glass.

Grand Vin De Glenelly Red 2009, Wo Stellenbosch

Lavau Vacqueyras 2012, Ac

L'expression De Margaux 2010, Ac Margaux

Le Fonti Di Panzano Chianti Classico Riserva 2011, Docg

Deep, balanced and quite refined. A beautiful bottle of chianti to pair with food.

Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley, South Australia

A couple more years seems to have smoothed out this bottle a bit. It was still powerful and deep - as you would expect from Barossa - but was also pretty silky on the tongue. Black currants, mineral, oak spice and enough tannins to ago for a while more.

Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2013

Chapoutier Les Grands Merisiers 2014, Chateauneuf Du Pape

Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Sonoma County

The nose on this wine showed some cooler notes, with flavours of licorice and smoke in the background. There was also a bit of a paper-like note that dissipated over time. Overall, a bit unremarkable.

Tasted blind at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club event, May 2016.

Molino Di Sant'antimo Paolus Brunello Di Montalcino 2010, Docg

Very light in colour, with a garnet tinge. Floral aromas with a hint of leather. Wine was mouth coating, but all the flavours had not integrated yet. Look forward to trying this again in a few years (tasted at Jake’s, Nov 2017)