Le Petit Cheval 2006

2nd wine of Ch Cheval Blanc, St Emilion 1GCCA. Almost wholly Cab Franc. Very tight initially, but once it opened up it sings. Sweet, honeyed bouquet, v inviting. Complex web of warm raspberries, crushed black fruits (currants, plums), mint, polished tannins peppered w Asian spices and long long finish. Supreme breeding, posh and silky. Kaleidoscope of flavors are dancing in the mouth - v complex. Youthful and needs air but unmistakably an aristocrat (9.5/10).

Les Allees de Cantemerle 2007

2nd wine of Ch Cantemerle, Haut Medoc 5GCC. A mediocre vintage and it shows. A v light weight wine compared to the '05 previously tasted. None of the lush mouthcoating tannins and seriousnessof the 'o5. Some ash/ dried leaves aroma and palate is watery although it gained some weight after some time in the glass. Weak structure. Finish is decent but ends q abruptly. Just an okay 'dinner wine', nothing more (7.3/10)

Pichon-Longueville Baron 2005

Pauillac 2GCC. This wine seem pretty shut down at this stage in terms of both nose and palate. A bit of mineral scent. Flavour profile is pretty tight, earthy, stony but some promising complexity peeking. If tasted blind, I'd thought it's a wine a third of its S$200 (US$160) price, poor QPR. But raving reviews all round and it's a super vintage, so might just be in a dumb phase right now (8.2/10). (Photo borrowed fr '04 vintage)

Running with Bulls 2010

Australia Tempranillo. With a name like that, you know you have an Aussie wine. How would the royal grape of Spain perform down under? Not fantastic I'm afraid. Distinct tempranillo scent of incense and a hot alcoholic nose hits you on first sniff, not sublime or interesting. Structure and acids are all over the place, some blackcurrants peeking through but overwhelmed by the plucky tannins and astringency . Saving grace - grew rounder w air, q enjoyable texture and finish was not too bad. Went well w rack of ribs in a Brisbane joint, but credit goes to the excellent ribs. Definitely need food (7.0/10).

Lascombes 2005

Margaux 2GCC. Revisiting this btl to see how it's developing since last tasting a year back. Nose is even lovelier than I remembered - bursting at the rim w amazing aromatics of violets and fresh red fruits, not green or shy at all. It wows you even before you taste a drop. Just on the bouquet alone easily>9.0. The palate has gained weight since last tasted, more rounded and substantial now, althou still relatively light-bodied. Plummy overtones. Tannins still stubbornly bitter. Rather short finish. A great vintage, but only a good wine (8.5/10).