Michael Loken

Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2016, Igt Toscana

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz 2012, South Australia

What a powerful wine. Warm, full and complex with notes of cassis, vanilla, oak, chocolate and baking spices. This wine will only get better with age, but was remarkably approachable now.

Fontodi Chianti Classico 2011, Docg

This wine was excellent with a full, earthy flavour profile with a balsamic note. The aroma was full of dark stone fruits, particularly plums. The finish on this wine was nice and long, and I went back for more at the end of the tasting.

Tasted blind in March 2015 at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club event.

Lamole Di Lamole Chianti Classico Riserva 2009, Docg

This wine had a very firm flavour profile that opened up nicely while tasting. Full of dark fruit flavours, it was quite pleasing overall

Tasted blind in March 2015 at a Beefsteak & Burgundy Club Event.

Painted Rock Red Icon 2015, Okanagan Valley

La Dame De Malescot 2009, Ac Margaux, 2nd Wine Of Château Malescot St Exupéry

When first tasted it had not opened up enough and was really tannic. After another hour or two, the wine opened right up and showed sweet cherry flavours and a medium dry, smooth finish.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2016, Coonawarra

Mullineux Kloof Street Red 2016

Simply put, year after year, this is the best Bordeaux style blend that you can buy for this price. It outperforms wines from Bordeaux worth twice as much.

Teusner The Independent Shiraz/Mataro 2012, Barossa Valley, South Australia

This wine is all about big fruit. It is dark and luscious with strong flavours of, well, grapes. There are also cassis, plum and a hint of chocolate on offer. What was missing was the spice and earthiness that I personally crave.

Domaine De Bonserine La Sarrasine Côte Rôtie 2008

Prototype Syrah; spicy, full, loaded with pepper. The wine still had years left in it, but was mature and wonderful.