5th February 2010

Glaymond Distinction Shiraz 2004, Barossa Valley ~$95. The top selection of Damien Tscharke's lineup of gob-smacking fruit-driven wines which remains my #1 recommendation if you're looking for wines that will punch you silly. The 2004 is a step-down from the amazing 2005 release but is nonetheless a head-turner. This wine has a shiny, black purple hue and exudes blueberry and violet aromas accompanied by a hint of bacon, liquorice and pepper. Equally enticing is the sense of the finesse and restrained strength within. I think that this is still coming together at present, give it 3-4 years then drink over the next 15+ years. 94-95/100.

8th February 2010

R Wines Strong Arms Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley ~$15. Made by the famed Chris Ringland, the Strong Arms shiraz offers top-notch value for money if you need the spare change. Sweet blackberry dominates the aroma profile with a softer cedar-like edge to round it up. Lush, straight-forward blackberry fruit sweeps the palate. Drink over the next 3-5 years. 89/100.

10th February 2010

Tatiarra Culled Barrel Shiraz 2008, Heathcote VIC, Australia
$25. There is more 2008 on offer than ever before Ben Riggs stringently declassified 70% of barrels for the other Tatiarra labels. Purple black colour, not the darkest with some translucency. Notes of blackberry liquorice and raspberry pastel with a hint of spicy oak. Good weight in the mouth of dark berry fruit and plum with dusty, fine ground tannins. Gives a sense of a warm red earth in summer heat. Drink over next 3-5 years. Good value. 89/100.

Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz 2008, Heathcote VIC, Australia $40. Inky black colour with a dark ruby edge. Enticing black cherry, purple flower and sweet spice aromas with a hint of anise and heated iron filings. This is warmer than the Culled Barrel. Dense, textured cotton-like structure with blackberry liquorice and blackpepper flavours the most out-standing. This  robust wine is very much approachable right now (with the standard decant). The tannins are well-integrated and are a mere afterthought as you go through the bottle in a single sitting. Drink 7-12 years. I think of grilled, juicy lamb chops with artichoke flower and zucchini salad. 92/100.

Tatiarra Caravan of Dreams Shiraz 2008, Heathcote VIC, Australia $60. There is no Trademark release for 2008 as the McLaren Vale component was deemed not up to scratch. There are about 200 cases of the Caravan for 2008. Pitch-black core with a crimson edge, notes of crème de mure, loads of dark berries and a hint of vanilla. A stirred soup pot of dark cherry, ripening blackberries with a generous dash of blackpepper on the finish. The tannins are happy to sit back to lend support and drag out the aftertaste just that little bit more. Drink now till 2025. 95/100.

13th February 2010: Chinese New Year Eve dinner

Krug Brut Grande Cuvee NV
The delicious Krug Grande Cuvee is an example of powerful, complex flavours in balance with elegance and finesse. Notes of spicy pear and minerals. 90-91/100. Tasted Jan 2010.

Domaine des Perdrix Echezeaux Grand Cru 2003
No tasting notes written. 93/100. Tasted Jan 2010.

20th February 2010
The following wines were purchased and consumed at Denise, Serangoon Gardens

Max Ferdinand Richter Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett 2008
SGD$43. Lime blossom, mandarin citrus and warm talc dryness on the upper mid-palate. Sweet honey candied orange with hints of ripe pineapple. Nice easy drink. 90-91/100. Tasted Feb 2010.

Louis Lequin Santenay 2006 Premier Cru La Comme
SGD$35, half bottle. Soft rounded oaked nose of hot dark berries and over-ripened cherries after a bout of torrential rain. A linear palate profile of spicy cherry, hint of nutmeg and raw coffee bean tannins. 87/100. Tasted Feb 2010.

Louis Lequin Santenay 2006 Premier Cru Clos Rousseau
SGD$35, half bottle. Notes of soft cherry oak with peppered dark red currants. Ripe spicy plum and cherry flavours with raw tannins that require quite a bit of polishing up. Lacks spirit. 86/100. Tasted Feb 2010.

27th February 2010

Chapoutier La Ciboise Coteaux du Tricastin 2006
A lively blend of 60% grenache, 30% syrah and 10% carignan + mourvèdre. Zippy notes of cherries and plums with a slight perfume of sweet brush spices. A tasty fruit-forward wine, the soft tannins with a slight bitterness of plum skin makes this ideal for a lamb chop BBQ or mandarin duck on a day with a cool breeze. Drink NOW. 87/100. Tasted Feb 2010.

Chapoutier Belleruche Cote du Rhone 2007
Fruit comes from 4 departments on sites with distinct soil profiles. An 80-20 blend of grenache and syrah. A heady nose of dark-red fruit, crushed Morello cherries with sweet baby spring onions. Spirited burst of cherry and raspberry liquorice flavours with a pinch of pepper. Sand-smoothened tannines impart a fine finish to this robust wine. Drink over the next 3-5 years. 89/100. Tasted Feb 2010.