Astica 2010

Merlot/ Malbec blend, Argentina.  A v acidic and sourish nose, q off-putting An astringent attack but smoothened out slightly w some time on the palate. Acids are still overwhelming but somewhat compensated w some tobacco and sour cherries/ red currants in mid-palate. Finish is loose and unfocused. Typical entry level pizza wine (6.8/10).

les Ormes de Pez 1995

St Estephe, Cru Bourgeois. Ageing wine can be a futile exercise if the wine is not sufficiently well-made in terms of good tannic structure/ acids to sustain the long haul. But if they do, they can reward the patient in terms of resolved, smoothed-out tannins and offer subtle yet complex secondary fruit/ spice surprises that only aging can achieve. This bottle is a case in point w all the associated pedigree of an 'ageable' wine, owing to the excellent vintage no doubt. High neck fill ,a good sign. Only slight browning on the rim, youthful. Silky texture yet has enough weight to assert its presence. Typical St Estephe earthiness and austerity but still no lack of fresh red fruits and pepper to arouse interest. Finish is serious and still tannic. Surprising longevity, well made to last (8.9/10)

Petit Village 1999

Pomerol AOC. Still dark and luscious on the eye, Cool, minty bouquet. V fresh. On entry, still juicy, substantial w good body and mouth feel. Sweet redcurrants all round. Fruit is lively but not just a fruit bomb - can still sense a good tannin framework in the background. Still has several years of life left in this. Excellent right banker (9.0/10).

La Fleur Petrus 2002

Pomerol AOC. Compliments of a generous friend. A strong vanilla nose, toasted oak and discreet black fruits. Great nose. On the palate, v fruit-forward yet tannic structure is q imposing but v well-defined. Black fruits and Asian spice aplenty. Mid to full bodied. Masculine but polished w v good velvety mouth-feel. Persistent finish. From the towering tannins, long life ahead (9.3/10).

du Tertre 2008

Margaux 5GCC. A rather inviting bouquet of cool cherries and wet stones- classy and polished - smells expensive. Smooth entry, mid-palate of predominately sour cherries and some tobacco elements. Elegant but v light-bodied, not much weight in the mouth. A rather straight-forward wine, nothing dramatic or interesting going on. Short finish. Decent wine but poor QPR (8.1/10).

Celeste Crianza 2009

Ribera del Duoro, Spain. Usually q a reliable region but this turned out disappointing. Inky saturated purple, v heavy legs. Cool blue fruits w strong medicinal/ alcohol cocktail on the nose, almost like in a hospital. Good assertive hit on entry, black tannic fruits mixed w a large dose of sour cherries and a touch of espresso. Not bad but appears somewhat confused and imprecise. Mid to full-bodied. Loose grip. Ended like how it began - w a strong alcoholic streak (7.9/10). Note the series of 90-pointer stickers below the bottle - have to disagree w the pros on this one.

Cantemerle 2005

Haut Medoc 5GCC. Had high hopes for this bottle, considering especially how well the Les Allees '05 was drinking. http://sgbordeaux.blogspot.com/2011/06/les-allees-de-cantemerle-2005.html

Dark, youthful garnet in colour. Nose of smoky violets, q closed still. Good structure and grip, but tannins and acids are all dominating now. Mid-bodied and has decent weight. But oak is all in front now overwhelming the fruit and anything else. Some espresso. Finish is rather dry and pedestrian. Needs more time/ decant maybe (8.2/10)