CHAPTER 2: July Tasting

Fieuzal Péssac-Leognan Granc Cru Classé De Graves 2005

Château de Fieuzal, Graves, France
Main varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 91pts

Soft and ready. Complex and friendly cassis notes


Fieuzal Blanc 2011
Château de Fieuzal, Graves, France
Main varietal: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

Initial brightness gives way to lovely white stonefruit. Complex, intense and long.


Fieuzal Pessac-Leognan Vin De Graves Grand Cru Classe 2008
Château de Fieuzal, Graves, France
Main varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdo
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 92pts

Lovely creamy texture and secondaries. underlying minerality.


Climens Grand Vin Sauternes Barsac 1er Cru 2007
Château Climens, Sauternes, France
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 92pts

Rich and unctuous. Complex and with great length


Haut-Brion Graves Premier Grand Cru Classé 2007
Château Haut-Brion, Graves, France
Main varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 92pts

Dense, structured and long. Complex with plum notes


Cape Winemakers Guild Thelema Auction Reserve 2003
Cape Winemakers Guild, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Main varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 91pts

Wonderful balance. Cassis, tobacco and a hint of mint. Complex and long.


Norte De Espana Gran Reserva Rioja Imperial 2005
Compañía Vinícola Del Norte De España, La Rioja, Spain
Main varietal: Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 92pts

Elegant and with great secondaries. Balanced.

Jean Grivot Les Lavières Nuits-St-Georges 2004
Domaine Jean Grivot, Côte de Nuits, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

Traditional and juicy. Wonderful balance and gentle savory note.

D Yquem Y Bordeaux Blanc 2006
Château d'Yquem, Bordeaux, France
Main varietal: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 92pts

Yellow coloured. Great depth and complexity. Creme brulee, ripe apricot, honey and floral notes.

Oliverhill McLaren Vale Jummy Section Shiraz 2007
Oliverhill Winery, MrLaren Vale, Australia
Main varietal: Shiraz
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 91pts

7 years tapers the fruit to a good balance. Dense complex plum smokey and oak notes.

Alois Lageder Gewürztraminer 2011
Weingut Alois Lageder, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Main varietal: Gewürztraminer
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

Clean rose and litchi notes. Palate follows nose.


Delatite Dead Mans Hill Gewürztraminer 2008
Delatite, Central Victoria, Australia
Main varietal: Gewürztraminer
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

Hints of lychee and chalky notes with some melon and floral inclinations.

Amisfield Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011

Amisfield Wine Company Ltd, Central Otago, New Zealand
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 93pts

A poised and deep pinot with oodles of layers. Dark complex stonefruit unmarred by oak. Great length.

Akarua Central Otago Pinot Gris 2010
Akarua Winery, Central Otago, New Zealand
Main varietal: Pinot Gris
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 91pts

Elegantly expressive with fresh tropical fruit nuances and reasonable complexity. Potential to age well. 

Ponsot Clos de La Roche Cuvée Vieilles Vigne 2000
Domaine Ponsot, Bourgogne, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 94pts

Deep pinot strawberry/cherry greet on 1st pour. Great depth and complexity without the farmyard notes. Will go for another 10 years

CHAPTER 1: July Tasting

Domaine Des Lambrays Les Loups Morey-St-Denis Premier Cru 2002
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 93pts

Farmyard introduction promised greatness and the wine delivered. Palate cleansing and mouthwatering acidity. Complex, focused, deep, layered and laced with delightful secondary and tertiary notes. Exquisite food partner. Orange peel towards end. Delicate persistence.

Geantet-Pansiot Gevrey-Chambertin En Champs 2007
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

Initially comes across as a well made basic burgundy with some muscle. Slowly a rustic complex meaty note emerges and changes the game. Clean pinot cherry backbone.

Gérard Bertrand Château L'Hospitalet La Réserve Red 2008
Gérard Bertrand, Languedoc-Roussillon , France
Main varietal: Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache Noir, Mourvedre
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

Drinking wonderfully at almost 6 years old. Juicy and uncomplicated yet interesting. Dark stonefruit laced with pepper and meaty hints on a balanced amd seductive palate. Secondary notes slowly creeping through to add to the excitement.


Francois Villard Saint Peray Version 2010
Domaine Francois Villard, Rhone, France
Main varietal: Marsanne
Ratings: 4 stars; 92pts

Initially very closed but slowly (1hr) reveals a complex potpourri of white stonefruit and floral notes with lovely citrus hint providing an invisible backbone.


Sogrape Offley Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2007
Sogrape Vinhos S.A, Douro, Portugal
Main varietal: Malvasia, Touriga Nacional,Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Amarela, Rufete
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

The wine masks the 20.5% ABV effortlessly. Layers of attractive preserved red berry and prune notes.


Camino Real Valle De Cachapoal Etiqueta Negra Gewürztraminer 2011
Viñedos Del Camino Real, S.A., Valle De Cachapoal, Chile
Main varietal: Gewürztraminer
Ratings: 3.0 stars; 88pts

Dry entry well made. Dark - Golden straw with a greenish hue. Complex with floral and lime citrus notes. More tropical fruit when served warm. Almost off dry.


Greywacke Kevin Judd Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010Greywacke Kevin Judd, Marlborough · New Zealand
Main varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

Typical SB. Grass, bell peppers, hint of passion fruit.


Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Robert Mondavi, Napa Valley, United States
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 3.0 stars; 87pts

Nice Balance cept fruit bit recessed from age. Toasty oak sticks out a tad.


Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2010
Errazuriz D.O. Aconcagua Valley, Chile
Main varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz/Syrah, Petit Verdot

Ratings: 4.0 stars; 91pts

Complex cherry and balanced oak related notes.


Santa Rita 120 Coleccion Independencia Reserva Especial Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Santa Rita, Valle de Maipo, Chile
Main varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

Vanilla and wood with cassis. Attractive but lacks balance.


Morande Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2010
Vina Morande, Valle de Casablanca, Chile
Main varietal: Chardonnay
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

Vanillin butterscotch over white stonefruit notes. Some tension on palate but lacks balance.


Ravenswood Vintners Blend Chardonnay 2009
Ravenswood, California, United States
Main varietal: Chardonnay
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

2nd bottle opened not oxidised. Mature with complex peach notes with a soft citrus hint.
This bottle probably not ideally stored. Hinting oxidative notes over attractive white stonefruit notes.


Dom Pérignon 2004
Champagne, France
Main varietal: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 91pts

Youthful and lacking age complexity but already Very pretty citrus and floral notes.


Yarra Ridge Eye Spy Chardonnay 2013Yarra Ridge Eye Spy, Port Phillip, Australia
Main varietal: Chardonnay
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

White stonefruit and oak dominate nose. Palate reasonably balanced. Good midpalate. Fair length.


Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Vieux Mas Des Papes 2008
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe, Southern Rhône, France
Main varietal: Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache Noir, Mourvedre
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

Soft with complex cherry and secondaries.


Produttori Del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano 2008
Produttori Del Barbaresco, Piemonte, Italy
Main varietal: Nebbiolo
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 92pts

Rich deep cherry and tar notes with hints of spice. Drinking well. Good length and layering.


Luis Felipe Edwards Colchagua Valley Merlot 2013
Luis Felipe Edwards, Valle de Colchagua, Chile
Main varietal: Merlot
Ratings: 3.5 stars;89pts

Good plum and berry notes. Round with decent balance.


Luis Felipe Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Luis Felipe Edwards, Valle de Colchagua, Chile
Main varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Ratings: 3.0 stars;86pts

Nose bit pungent with passion fruit and hint of cat pee over capsicum and grass notes. Palate round but mostly indistinct. Some length.

COONAWARRA : Panel Tasting Results by Decanter.com

Jim Barry, First Eleven, Coonawarra 2006
Decanter average score: 18/20pts (93/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 18 Pierre Mansour 18 Anthony Rose 18
Price: £32 Hailsham Cellars, ND John, Reserve Wines, The Wine House of Penrith, Winedirect
Drink: 2014-2016
Alc: 14.5%

Lovely, fresh and complex nose of spice and blackcurrant tinged with mint, camphor and camomile. This has an evolved and integrated structure; a very good example of mature Coonawarra Cabernet.


Majella, Coonawarra 2009
Decanter average score: 17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 18 Pierre Mansour 17.5 Anthony Rose 17
Price: £23-£25 Alliance Wine, Carruthers & Kent, Chester Beer & Wine, Corks & Cases, Sipp London, The Fine Wine Co, Z & B Vintners
Drink: 2014-2016
Alc: 14.5%

Faint mint aromas and blackcurrant fruit – pretty typical of the Coonawarra style. A well-integrated palate of long, lingering meaty flavours and mouthwatering acidity. Harmonious with a fine, long finish.


Lindeman’s, Trio, St George, Coonawarra 2009
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17 Pierre Mansour 17 Anthony Rose 17.5
Drink: 2014-2018
Alc: 14%

Notes of exotic spice, perfume and leather. Ripe, rich and full bodied with well-integrated tannins, long and lingering full flavours, and a delicious cherry flan finish.


Penfolds, Bin 169, Coonawarra 2010
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17 Pierre Mansour 17 Anthony Rose 17.5
Price: £180 Berry Bros & Rudd, Edgmond Wines, Spirited Wines
Drink: 2014-2022
Alc: 14.5%

High toned and expressive with an oaky toast nose. A polished, full, opulent palate that is richly concentrated and juicy with a bittersweet chocolate character. Modern expression showing quality winemaking.


Reschke, Empyrean, Coonawarra 2006
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17 Pierre Mansour 17.5 Anthony Rose 17.5
Drink: 2014-2017
Alc: 14.5%

Complex nose of smoke and cola, and a well-evolved, savoury, silky, round and integrated palate. The tannins are still quite firm with bright acidity. Drinking well now.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate, John Riddoch Limited Release, Coonawarra 2010
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17.5 Pierre Mansour 17.5 Anthony Rose 17
Price: £79.99 Bibendum Fine Wine
Drink: 2014-2026
Alc: 13.5%

Sweet, delicate nose with a gentle perfume of white blossoms and young cherries. A generous, intense and harmonious palate that is not too overt. Stylish.


Gramp & Sons, St Hugo, Coonawarra 2010
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17 Pierre Mansour 17 Anthony Rose 17
Price: £27.29 Asda, Tesco
Drink: 2014-2026
Alc: 14.2%

Attractive blueberry nose that is pure and scented. Juicy ripe fruits and stunning tannins, which are apparent and then cleared away by the fruit. There’s fragrance and freshness here; it’s very Old World.


McGuigan, The Shortlist, Coonawarra 2010
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17 Pierre Mansour 17 Anthony Rose 17
Price: £14.99 Tesco Wine by the Case
Drink 2014-2019
Alc 13%

Classic Cabernet nose of herbaceous freshness; quite European in style and very harmonious. On the palate, there’s a herb-influenced cassis and cherry fruit quality that finishes with a savoury freshness and bite.

Source: http://www.decanter.com/wine/labels/34486/slideshow/0/coonawarra-margaret-river-cabernet-panel-tasting-resuts#slideshow

MARGARET RIVER: Panel Tasting Results by Decanter.com

Leeuwin Estate, Art Series, Margaret River 2010
Decanter average score: 18.75/20pts (95+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 19 Pierre Mansour 19 Anthony Rose 18.5
Price: £39-£43 Domaine Direct, The Secret Cellar
Drink： 2015-2022
Alc： 14%

Since 2002, led by winemaker Paul Atwood, working with viticulturist David Winstanley, Leeuwin has embarked on a new programme to refine its Cabernet so that it would stand shoulder to shoulder with the Art Series Chardonnay at the top of the varietal tree. With 38 years of vine age, the best batches of fruit come from moderate-yielding, home-block estate vines grown on free-draining, gravelly soils and picked at optimum ripening followed by a gentle fermentation and blending to French oak.
Roger Jones Eucalyptus on nose and palate. Savoury leather and a touch of coffee – very fresh fruit and oak. Lovely bursts of vanilla which softens the wine. A fantastic Cabernet that needs another year to perform at its best.
Pierre Mansour Youthful, stylish blackberry fruit that opens up in the glass. Amazingly pure aroma, and a dense palate, which is full of generous, sweet fruit. This wine is attractive, pleasurable and long. Stunning!
Anthony Rose Broodingly youthful nose with a touch of mint. Vigorous, almost chunky red with subdued, elemental aromas. Powerful, sweet, ripe cherry fruit and evolving fine tannins. The brightness of fruit, spicy oak polish and the finesse of tannins suggest an even brighter future.


Woodlands, Alex, Wilyabrup, Margaret River 2011
Decanter average score: 18.75/20pts (95+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 18.5 Pierre Mansour 19 Anthony Rose 18.5
Drink： 2015-2021
Alc： 13.5%

Established in 1973 by David and Heather Watson, Woodlands’ 10-hectare vineyard on a south-facing slope in the heart of Wilyabrup receives sunlight all day. Sunlight is not direct, however, because of the east-west orientation of the vineyard, while clay-loam soils retain moisture to allow even ripening at a moderate alcohol level. Since 2002 the vineyard has been restructured with a conversion towards organics and the cellar has been renovated with a vibrating sorting table and other modern equipment. A combination of all these factors allows the Woodlands Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve flavour intensity at 13.5% – a relatively modest alcohol for Australia.
RJ Evolves on the palate. Lots of balanced fruit; this will age well. Lots happening in the glass and then you get that amazing fruit hit with great lingering flavours. You should decant this.
PM A fresh nose of black cherry and some stylish oak; very elegant. Has a fine, medium-bodied palate; there is real focus and poise. The finish has superb texture and effortless intensity.
AR Sweet vanilla and cedar nose; plenty of stylish oak. Complex: a powerful, rich, concentrated mouthful of sweet cassis and spice with a herby, almost meadow-like fragrance. This is infused with a savoury balsam-fruit richness, which is dense, long, concentrated and fine-grained in texture.

Thompson Estate, Wilyabrup, Margaret River 2010
Decanter average score: 18.25/20pts (94/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 18 Pierre Mansour 18 Anthony Rose 18.5
Drink： 2014-2025
Alc： 14%

Fine nose of lovely elegance and polish behind the fragrance and fruit quality. This shows depth and is quite layered. The palate is well textured and very rich and then some lovely spices and great balance.

Aravina Estate, Margaret River 2012
Decanter average score: 17.75/20pts (92/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17.5 Pierre Mansour 18 Anthony Rose 18
Drink: 2015-2022
Alc: 14.5%

Wonderful graphite-infused Cabernet nose, with cedar spice and some flashy oak. Perfumed and enticing with some complexity, fine texture, incredible fruit purity and balance. This is drinking now, but will also get better.

Vasse Felix, Wilyabrup, Margaret River 2010
Decanter average score: 17.75/20pts (92/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17 Pierre Mansour 18 Anthony Rose 18
Price: £23.99 Christopher Piper, Negociants, Selfridges, Waitrose
Drink: 2014-2030
Alc: 14.5%

Intense ginger, spice and dark fruits; a very distinctive character. This has a youthful blueberry attractiveness and is full bodied and layered. Incisively fresh, grippy and very appealing.

Victory Point, Margaret River 2009
Decanter average score: 17.75/20pts (92/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 18.5 Pierre Mansour 17.5 Anthony Rose 17.5
Drink: 2014-2038
Alc: 14%

Showing sweetly fragrant blackcurrant fruit on the palate that’s just on the turn from primary to a more evolved, complex character. The generous and rich finish has a hint of chocolate.


Flametree, SRS, Wilyabrup, Margaret River 2011
Decanter average score: 17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 16.5 Pierre Mansour 18 Anthony Rose 18
Drink: 2014-2020
Alc: 14%

All leather and savoury on the nose – quite delicate. Super-succulent and concentrated cassis fruit richness supported by a cedar-spice element and bittersweet chocolate tones. Fine tannins; long & stylish.

Night Harvest, John George, Margaret River 2011
Decanter average score: 17.5/20pts (91/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 18.5 Pierre Mansour 16.5 Anthony Rose 17.5
Price: £25 (2010) The Wine Society
Drink: 2014-2030
Alc: 14.3%

Although on the nose it is somewhat closed, the richness hits the palate with great speed. Savoury, almost balsamic notes bring an appetising balance to this stylish red. The finish is clean and fresh with great depth of flavour.

Devil’s Lair, Margaret River 2011
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 18 Pierre Mansour 16 Anthony Rose 17.5
Drink: 2015-2020
Alc: 14.5%

Nice immediacy of cassis fruit on the nose supported by good richness of cassis fruit tinged with spice and chocolate on the palate. It has a certain restrained nature which is good as it will keep evolving.


Driftwood, Artifacts, Wilyabrup, Margaret River 2011
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17.5 Pierre Mansour 16.5 Anthony Rose 17.5
Drink: 2014-2028
Alc: 15.5%

Lovely aromatics showing plenty of ripe cassis fruit infused with touches of mint, rosemary and garrigue-like herbs. This has a big, powerful flavour and a lip-smacking, textured finish.

Saracen Estates, Reserve, Wilyabrup, Margaret River 2009
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17.5 Pierre Mansour 17 Anthony Rose 17.5
Drink: 2014-2018
Alc: 13.9%

Attractive notes of camphor, spice and berry fruit are followed on the palate by soft vanilla and then a gentle taste of fresh meat juices from a rare roast joint. An excellent, precise, balsamic finish.


Swings & Roundabouts, Backyard Stories, Margaret River 2012
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17 Pierre Mansour 17.5 Anthony Rose 17
Drink: 2014-2025
Alc: 14%

Focused and fresh with a hint of mint, and some smoky new oak too. Succulent black fruits with nice tannins that are well integrated on the palate. Full-bodied palate of blackberry and spice. Seamless and long.


Umamu Estate, Margaret River 2009
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 18 Pierre Mansour 17 Anthony Rose 17
Drink: 2014-2020
Alc: 13.5%

Although the nose seems quite closed, the palate is delicious and silky-smooth, and is gushing with bright young fruit. This is supported by firm tannins and an almost saline acidity that is searingly fresh.


Xanadu, Margaret River 2011
Decanter average score: 17.25/20pts (90+/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 18 Pierre Mansour 17 Anthony Rose 17
Price: £18.99 Amazon UK, Carruthers & Kent, Enotria, Invinty Wines, The Fine Wine Co
Drink: 2014-2030
Alc: 14%

Restrained and fine with hits of mint and herb freshness. The palate is compact but nicely integrated and balanced with modest weight. A very gentle wine which will age with grace.


Rosily, Wilyabrup, Margaret River 2011
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17 Pierre Mansour 17 Anthony Rose 17
Drink: 2014-2020
Alc: 14%

This is very pleasantly fragrant with a nice, sweet loganberry character. Round, supple fruit on the sweet mid-palate and some grainy, ripe tannins. Overall this is quite savoury and spicy; evolving well.


Stormflower Vineyard, Wilyabrup, Margaret River 2011
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 18 Pierre Mansour 17 Anthony Rose 16
Drink: 2014-2028
Alc: 14.5%

A rich bouquet that is quite intense but in a nice way. Gentle, smoky complexity on the round, smooth, generous palate, offering succulent loganberry-like fruit. A lovely wine that would be exceptional with food.


Voyager Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, Margaret River 2009
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17.5Pierre Mansour 16.5 Anthony Rose 17
Price: £30.40 Justerini & Brooks
Drink: 2014-2026
Alc: 14%

Young, fresh, fragrant, leafy Cabernet with lots of cassis fruit and cedary vanilla oak. The palate is juicy and harmonious with medium length. The finish has a zingy, bright freshness of cherry fruit and should age well.

Woody Nook, Gallagher’s Choice, Margaret River 2010
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Roger Jones 17 Pierre Mansour 17 Anthony Rose 17
Price: £20 Woody Nook
Drink: 2014-2020
Alc: 14%

Fine nose of youthful blackcurrant fruit tinged with a nice leafy freshness. Big ripe flavours on the palate with lots of oak showing. This is a big boy with some lovely spices and quite different to the norm.

Source: http://www.decanter.com/wine/labels/34486/slideshow/0/coonawarra-margaret-river-cabernet-panel-tasting-resuts#slideshow