Croft Pink Port: Interesting idea, they claim to be the first pink port producers, I’m sure it’s been done before just never marketed from what I know. Made with shorter skin contact durations which achieves that rose like hue. An interesting effort, subtle port aromas on the nose, refreshing and not to cloying. Pair it with that special someone and some milk chocolate.

Sandeman Vau Vintage Port 2000 : Drinking very well right now, intense and deep this port is money well spent at $29.95.

Louis Bouillot Perle D’ivoire BLanc de Blanc Brut : A subtle well priced Chardonnay based sparkler from Burgundy. You’re not getting any of the intensity and toasty notes you’ll get from a Champagne but this wine still serves a purpose.


Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Gris 2007: Quite complex on the nose, there is a lot going on yet it still remains friendly and non aggressive. Delicious green apple flavours, 8% of this wine is aged in oak sur lie to give it additional complexity. Provocative wine making practices unusual to the varietal. 90 pts.


Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2008: Grassy and gooseberry like with touches of Semillon. James Halliday gave it 92 points. As Peter Boyd of Scaramouche fame says, “James Halliday would give motor oil 92 points.” Couldn’t agree with you more mate.


Balthasar Ress Oestricher Riesling 1996: A classic aged Riesling from a top producer of the Rheingau. I just love aged wine at a price of $14.95. Gold yellow in colour due to it’s maturity with Petrol infused minerality and vibrant acidity. Great with food or on it’s own.


Tamar Ridge Devil’s Corner Riesling 2008: Super petrol/wet rubber mineral notes to this rich wine. Again James Haliday gave this wine a 91, so he highballed his rating just a tad this time. Riesling does well in cool climates like Tasmania.


Helfrich Riesling 2007: Candied floral aromas, citrus and tropical at the same time. Great length, dry and super sweet. It doesn’t have that typical Alsatian minerality to it but is quite yummy for the price of $16.95. I am biased towards Alsace on a whole to note. 89pts


Osoyoos Larose le Grand Vin 2006: Delicious wine from the Okanagan Valley that will certainly benefit from time and evolve into something great. Traditional Bordeaux blend like aromas of fruit, but this wine had a hint of greenes to add it it’s complexity. Medium/full bodied palate with a strong mid palate presence and quality tannic grip. Cellar worthy for sure. 91pts


Belle Glos Meomi Pinot Noir: I enjoyed the belle Glos Weir Vineyard a lot more than this wine but at $50 it’s almost double than the price of this one. Definitely fruity and new world in nature with some lingering tannins still a great effort. 89 pts


Dynamite Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon: Good QPR.


Tamar Ridge Kayena Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007: 95 points James Halliday; way out in left field on that one.


Torbreck old vines Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre 2006: Yum, yum dim sum…


Huntington California Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2007: Ripe, fruity the nose and palate are both pleasing in this wine. Noticeable attack, and overall good mouthfeel with slightly elevated levels of RS (Residual Sugar) 90 pts


Café Culture Pintoage 2009: I tried last years vintage and at $13.95 it was very interesting. Not something of high quality but very full bodied, pungent and an overall crowd pleaser. Coffee, chocolate and bacon fat aromas, who knows what’s in store this year.


Chateau Begadanet 2005: A very enticing scented nose with intertwined mineral driven fruit aromas that could only originate in the Medoc. I wish the palate stood up to this nose but this wine lacks finish. Still quite enjoyable at $20, give it a try.


Le Serre Nuove Dell’ Ornellaia 2007: Wine of the release for me, a poised super Tuscan that dances on the lines of being fruit forward and modern with rustic old world extremities. Complex, well made and deserving of 92 points.


Monte Antico Sangiovese/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2006: Pronounced palate with an almost medicinal like edge to the nose. Good modern Tuscan IGT value.


Beronia Reserva 2005: Humidor qualities entangled in fruit on the nose. An approachable palate, this wine is super sweet for the price.


Descendientes de J.Palacios Petalos 2007: Mencia is a forgotten Spanish varietal. The vines are quite old hence the roots systems run quite deep into the slate based soils deriving all kinds of nuances along the way. Well made and worth a shot. 89 pts