Potensac 2008

Cru Bourgeois, Medoc. A perennial over-performer in its class. In the glass, shows a pitch dark, inky purple colour indicative of its youth. Nose is quite closed still - cool blackcurrants and oak, typical cab sauv nose. Still painfully tannic on the palate, too young and over-powering. Splash decanted and sat it for 30 mins to at least make it drinkable. Lots of swirling and coaxing brings out good weight, finesse and roundeness later in the evening. Plenty of dark fruits and tobacco. Tannins are still v stubborn and q rough. By the last glass, softened sufficiently to a balanced, substantial and black-fruit dominated wine. Lots of potential here, but still needs lots of cellar time to be ready (8.8/10).

Fontanafredda Barolo 2003

Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy. The colour is deceivingly light, concealing the power beneath. Fresh bouquet, floral and vanilla. The palate packed a powerful punch. Intense, v extracted and great structure. Still young - lush but still v tannic. Black fruits all around, almost overwhelmingly so but pulls back just in time. V well-made wine. Good pedigree shows thru beautifully. Enjoyable but needs food (9.0/ 10).

Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2006

Sangiovese, Tuscany Italy. A nice ruby hue, easy on the eyes. Complex nose of greens intermixed w warm caramel, excellent. Entry is smooth, rounded and builds up to an impressive mid-palate of spice, marshmallows and black fruits. Good complexity at the core. Lightish to medium bodied. Became bolder w more time spent in the glass. A longer finish would've made it close to perfect (9.2/10). Althought Banfi is a mass-market producer, this specimen certainly has a great 'hand-crafted' feel to it. Exceeded expectations.

Felino 2008

Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina. V high alcohol hits you in the face, exceedingly so. Brash black fruits, v 'maufactured' taste. Sweet but in a plasticky, artificial way. Alcoholic streak refuses to die down even w air. Sort of gathers itself a bit in mid-palate and gave a decent finish, but overall a disappointing wine. Sort of mass-produced wine they'd serve at weddings and company dinners (6.7/10).

Marbuzet 2001

Cru Bourgeois, St Estephe. The unofficial 2nd wine of Ch Cos' D'Estournel before the introduction of Les Pagodes and the pedigree shows thru. A v youthful magenta in hue, surprising at this age. Attractive strong aromas of cool blackcurrants, savoury meat jerky and some dried leaves- understated elegance of an aged bordeaux which I love. Tannins are silky smooth and fully resolved. Mid-bodied. Signature Cos spice and pepper notes coming thru with mocha in the mid-palate. A bit hollow in the last 3/4, but the fruit came quickly back for the final quarter to finish off nicely with some roundedness. Finish could be longer. A the end of a beautiful drinking window. V balanced right now. Great value compared to a Cos 4 times its price (9.2/10).