Leo Buring 07 Riesling, Clare Valley SA

I found the Buring 07 to be very advanced in it's time line, whether that's because of lack of love during the journey to my glass or if the vintage produced wines that were forward I could not tell. Color was already a deep golden, with a tickle of acidity on the nose. The palette was quite full and round with a resounding weight of lime juice and candied citrus. Have a couple of bottles still cellaring so will be monitoring their progress!

De Bortoli 2011 Estate Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley VIC

Quite possibly the best Pinot I've tasted this year and there have been a few. Smokey, funky forest floor on the nose, leads into a lean meaty, stalky strawberry laden palette challenging sensation. This wine ticked all the box's for me and reinforces the superiority of De Bortoli Pinot in this country.

Coldstream Hills 2010 'Reserve ' Shiraz, Yarra Valley VIC

Had high hopes for the 2010 Coldstream 'Reserve' Shiraz and on first analysis of the bouquet thought we could be in for a more Rhone inspired journey. Unfortunately whether it was opened to early or the style didn't move us was anyone's guess. The  flavors moved into a quite uninspiring meld of Christmas berries and clotted cream. Nothing more to say really...

Seppelt 09 'Chalambar' Shiraz, VIC

The 04 vintage of Seppelt's Chalambar was heralded in the press over the last 6 years as being the current  benchmark! Well not to be argumentative but..... the 09 vintage upon some serious reflection is going to give the 04 a run. Drinking beautifully now smooth red fruits, acidity, tannin's and depth all seamlessly integrated. Even the pepper character so related to Victorian Shiraz was a positive lift to the equation. Why bother cellaring when this vintage still available on the shelves is drinking so well the questions begs!

Masi 09 'Levarie' Soave DOC Italy

With this wine Masi as with most European producers have given more of a message over a statement. Texture over fruit dominates. A tart acidity pervades, with a type of candied apple lingering memory to finish. The mouth is filled with a weighted presence and a long lasting after taste. Food would balance out the the overall ability of Soave to highlight the cuisine of the region. Over all an interesting and reflective style.

McHenry Hohnen 2010 'Burnside' Chardonnay

McHenry Hohnen 2010 'Burnside' Chardonnay, Margaret River WA. This is a classic David Hohnen inspired wine. On first opening a note of struck match (Burnside perhaps) occurs which blows off after half an hour leaving the closed nature of this wine's bouquet to open out. This is a wine of contemplation, I'd even recommend decantering half and then finishing the rest the next day. Colour is quite developed considering the age, yet a clear indication of what is too come. A real weight or depth stricks you from the start, a full bodied  creamy texture( a true hall mark of great Chardonnay in my opinion) dominates. A wicked zing and tartness cuts through like a knife to leave the multi layered nature of this wine exposed. Vibrant grapefruit, mandarin and quince with no real texture of oak invading on the full fruited nature of the 'Burnside' Chardonnay. Cape Mentelle and Cloudy Bay were the start for David and this wine  is a true reminder of were the winery and it's wines are going.

Tahbilk 06 Marsanne

A wine like Tahbilk 06 Marsanne should be more recognised in Australia. It displays the aged 'Kero' bouquet of an Clare Riesling of roughly the same age, the texture of an aged Hunter Semillon of roughly 2-3 more years of age and the interest of both on the palette. If you've had the foresight to cellar this wine 'HANDS OFF' as it will only get better in years to come. 3-4 for more interest and up to 10-15 for true evolution.

Yabby Lakes 'Red Claw' 2008 Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula VIC

'Wow' for a second label this is a real kicker to it's big brother! 'Red Claw' was created as a more affordable version or introduction to the Mornington Peninsula. Peach and cashew nut are a dominant feature in this wine, Mornington tends to create a more creamier style, yet I find this more meatier version to be an attractive alternate style. Well worth a look at a style not easy to pick.

Mount Langi Ghiran 05 'Cliff Edge' Shiraz

Cliff Edge Shiraz 05 has lean, vibrant raspberry flavour's galore. The density of fruit is a prime example of Victorian supremacy to the cool climate style , becoming more popular in Australia. There is a heavy roundness that encourages the comfort of an second analyses. It reminds me of entering a warm cave after being outside in the cold. The body of fruit intensifies the more you revisit the glass. No process, no oak has blurred the intensity of fruit. A true education into how the pure flavours of fruit should not always be sidelined to express sense of place or terrior as we wine geeks call it!

Parker Coonawarra Estate 05 'Terra Rossa' Cabernet Sauvignon

Drinking this wine in 2012 was pure infacide. Just starting to develop the creaminess of medium term age. Primary fruit character's not even a mention just yet. The 'Terra Rossa' reminded me of a fresh blueberry compote, draped over cream whipped straight from the bowl. A sandy texture barely permissible as the tannins evolve into some semblance of solidity. Truly a wine of decadence with 10-15 years well ahead. Do yourself a favour, hide this wine deep in your cellar for a well kept surprise later.

Stefano Lubiana NV Spark

Having recently been exposed to an array of Smaller Champagne house and some iconic Australian concerns, I was left in aure upon tasting a clever sparkling released from Steve Lubiana. The apple isle has been highlighted recently in the press as Australia's premier region for sparkling wine grapes. Steve's reputation has been built on mainly the still wines produced across a large array of  styles suited mainly to cooler viticulture . A supremely elegant bead teases the eye long before the mouth starts to salivate. Crisp vibrant acidity meets all expectations. No real yeasty or bready nuances to tick the other usual boxes, just a muscular grapefruit like tartness to guarantee quality and prove the ability of Lubiana to cover all  wine styles suited to Tasmania.