E&J Durand Les Coteaux St Joseph 2005

100% syrah.  This wine is a step-up on the previous Rhone wines reviewed, with aromas of barnyard and pruned lavender bush.  A similar palate, with a bit of length.  86 points.

Domaine des Martinelles Crozes Hermitage 2006

100% syrah.  An aroma of lavender and light poo.  A similar palate.  Pleasant drinking.  82 to 83 points.

Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2008

A rather distinct aroma of leather and poo.  A palate which initially impressed, but then revealed some bitter notes with chalky tannins, and later some lavender.  Ok.  80 points.

Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone 2007

An aroma of licorice, pepper and lavender.  A rather simple palate with some light lavender notes and a touch of length.  80 points.

Labeye Grenache Syrah 2008

This wine is from the enormous, varied and warm Vin de Pays D'Oc region located in the Languedoc-Roussillon area of southern France.  A blend of 50% syrah and 50% grenache.  This wine had an aroma of fruit, lavender and a slight candied note from the grenache.  A pleasant light, simple and fruity palate suitable for everyday drinking.  79 points.

Dan Murphy's Private Bin 1 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2006

Another cleanskin ... My usual caveat emptor warning applies.  Weighing in at 14.7%av, this wine had an aroma of chalky dark fruits and spices.  The palate was almost entirely muted with highish acid, and a "hot" note.  Rustic or rough?  76 points.

Vasse Felix Cane Cut Semillon 2008

For those expecting a "Noble One" equivalent, this wine is not that.  According to the label, the grapes have been harvested by cutting the entire canes, and then presumably leaving the grapes to raisin for a period of time.  The result is quite different to a normal semillon-sauvignon blanc botrytised dessert wine.  I wasn't entirely convinced by it, but it's not bad.  The wine had an aroma of white peaches and hay.  A similar dry-ish palate with notes of dried hay.  Pleasant in a late harvest style kind of way.  84 points.

Chateau Cantenac Brown Grand Cru Classe 1998

This wine confirmed to me that I am not drinking enough Margaux, though I can use the "hard to find in Australia" excuse.  A classic aroma of black currants, elegant fruit and cigar box.  A palate with 10 seconds plus of length and blackcurrants.  Not a blockbuster, but very enjoyable drinking.  Drink over the next 5 years or so.  91 points.

Katnook Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

The Odyssey is Katnook's flagship cabernet sauvignon, and the 2004 reviewed below is a very good wine.  Katnook is one of my favourite producers from Coonawarra at this level.  On opening, the wine initially was a little off-putting, with a slightly unusual aroma of coconuts, butter and a cola like note.  The wine quickly settled down however to reveal a more classic aroma of light herbs, chocolate and oak.  The palate had nice length and black fruits were evident.  An interesting and serious wine.  Drink or keep. 90 points.

Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve NV

A classic citrusy nose, with some light toast.  Similar palate.  Very pleasant.  85 points.

Yarra Valley Gateway Estate Pinot Noir 2004

 An aroma of cherries, chalky plums and oak.  A similar palate, with evident tannins.  83 points.

Woongarra Shiraz 2005

This wine hails from a very small winery in Narre Warren East, only just outside the suburban area of Melbourne.  This area is not known for wine production.  An aroma of "extreme" pepper.  A palate with ok length and some plum notes.  Pleasant, but unremarkable.  The wine was introduced as "Craiglee like", but I am afraid that while its aroma bore some resemblance, the palate did not.  80 points.

Dan Murphy's Private Bin 2005

It's perhaps rather pointless writing a review of a cleanskin wine where there is little guarantee that the same wine might be found again, but just in case it's all from the same producer ... The wine smelt good, with an aroma of cedary black fruits.  The palate was rather high in acid, with a slightly alcoholy note, and a slight bitterness on the back palate.  It was a bit uneven on balance.  But very serviceable for $6 or thereabouts.  82 points.

Skillogalee Riesling 2009

An aroma of stones, citrus and slightly candied lemons.  A palate of citrus with some apricot like notes and a bit of length.  83 points.

Maximilians Madhills Two Up Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2001

I've not previously heard of this estate before, but this wine was very very good.  An aroma of licorice, oak and plums.  15 seconds or more of length on the palate, with good plum flavours.  Close to outstanding.  90 points.

Galli Estate Artigiano Block Two Shiraz 2006

This wine is quite classy for its price.  I am finding the Heathcote region more and more reliable as a source of quality wine, and in particular, shiraz.  An aroma of leathery plums and pepper.  A palate with evident berries, noticeable tannins and a bit of length.  Very good value for its price.  Try it.  85 to 86 points.

Guigal Cotes du Rhone 2005

The 2005 version of this wine is particularly pleasant and good value.  An aroma of spice, plums and lavender.  A similar palate with nice length.  I really enjoyed this wine.  86 points.

Langmeil Orphan Bank Shiraz 2007

Of the preceding reviews of Langmeil wines, this was the best of them.  An aroma of plums and pepper.  A classic palate with good length and plums.  89 points.

Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz 2008

This wine was tasted at the same time as the preceding wines from Langmeil, and it was nice to return to the grape variety that the Barossa Valley does best: shiraz.  An aroma of soft pepper, brine, plums, dried herbs and American oak.  A palate with some length and chalky plums.  A pleasant wine.  85 points.

Langmeil Three Gardens Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre 2008

An aroma of candied fruits, leather and toffee.  A pleasant palate.  This is not really a style of wine that I particularly enjoy, but it is pleasant and well made.  80 points.

Langmeil Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

This wine will suit those who enjoy the rather rich style of cabernet sauvignon produced in the Barossa Valley.  An aroma of taught oak and rich black fruits.  A similar palate, with evident acidity.  A good wine.  86 points.

Blind River Pinot Noir 2007

Though views may differ, I slightly preferred the 2006 version of this wine.  An aroma of chalky plums and oak.  A palate with pleasant fruit, with just a touch of sweetish strawberries, a bit of length and high acid.  A good wine.  84 points.

Blind River Pinot Noir 2006

I understand that this pinot noir is the first vintage of this label.  An aroma of cherries, spice, a bit of oak and the odd wiff of alcohol.  A palate with a bit of length and taught acidity.  Rather good.  85 points.

Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2009

This wine is a very good classy effort for the frequently one dimensional sauvignon blanc.  To my taste, it is rather "Sancerre" in style.  10% barrel fermented, this wine had an aroma of soft grass, and a palate with a roundness and surprising length.  Very good.  87 points.

Blind River The Sisters Sauvignon Blanc 2008

From an interesting family run producer in Marlborough, New Zealand.  A typical Marlborough sauvignon blanc aroma of grass, with the added touch of a distinct stony minerality.  A pleasant palate with a bit of acidity.  83 points.

Hardys Tintara Shiraz 1999

An aroma of pepper and menthol, with a possible slight mustiness at the end (I wasn't convinced I was right).  A similar palate, with some oak.  83 to 84 points.