Chandon 2002

Sparkling wine. Yarra Valley, Australia. Nutty and buttery aromas, dense and q complex. Subtle citrus, lemony flavours. Good weight and texture, acids are in check. Smooth enjoyable finish. Whites not rated.

Leoville Poyferre 2003

St Julien 2GCC. Still dark inky purple hue. A refined nose of pencil lead graphite interlaced w some toasted oak. A solid palate - tannin, fruits and acids all harmonious and in balance. Q savoury, some spice and a good body. A rather polished tannic backbone yet elegant as a St Julien should be. Finish is good but could be longer (8.8/10).

Lagrange 2003

St Julien 3GCC. Dried leaves mixed w menthol on the nose, still rather closed. Fortunately the palate is open for business - brooding, dark, serious and v ripe. Towering tannic structure. Heavy tobacco w tertiary flavors already in development. After 30 mins softened a bit but fruit is still dark and bitter.Stylistically, backward but full of polish and potential. >10 sec finish (9.0/10).

Montes Purple Angel 2008

Carmenere, Chile. The nose is promising - tobacco and balanced wood dominated scents- although not v open yet. But on the first sip, it shocks the system with brutal black fruit/ oak and alcohol combo. 3 aspects - Sweet, savory and alcohol-all trying to outdo one another. A modern bomb that shows you all up front, nothing subtle and lack secondary flavors. Not harmonious. Bitter finish as expected of this style. Not a 'bad' wine, just one that is too obvious (7.6/10).

Dixons Creek 2005

Yarra Valley, Australia - Bordeaux blend. A v dark inky purple greets you at sight. Nose is q offensive at first w disinfectant swab and methane, but tames within 30 mins to a mix of aggressive blackcurrants and oak. Mid to full bodied. Q lush, however ends w a tannic bitter finish. Q loosely structured but definitely a decent wine for short term consumption (7.8/10)

Teyssier 2004

St Emilion GC. Nice warm nose of fresh baked confectionery, marshmallows and some discreet oak. While the entry is q ordinary, it developed quickly into a good mid-palate of layering red fruit and spices. V lush, mid bodied texture. Definitely modern in style. Not sure about structure for aging but drinking beautifully now (8.4/10).

Penfolds Bin 138 2008

Shiraz/ Mourvedre/ Grenache blend - Barossa, Australia. Wet dog nose and vegetal elements as well, yucks. Really off - Astringent, and brute tannins attacking your palate. Brash, in your face. Yes there's fruit but the acids and oak are overwhelming everything. Unpolished and rough, why bother w the hassle of blending 3 grape varieties when the result you get is this. Q dismal (7.0/10).