De Bortoli Daydream Chardonnay 2014

From - Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Grape - Chardonnay
Alcohol - 12.5% abv
Avaliable from - Waitrose
Price - £9.99

Appearance - Clear, medium- intensity, lemon-green.

Nose - Clean, medium- intensity, youthful.  Green fruit (pears), citrus (lemon), sweet spice (vanilla).

Palate - Dry, high acidity, medium intensity, medium length, medium+ body, medium+ alcohol.  Citrus flavour of lemon and grapefruit, subtle notes of kernel (hazelnut) and smoky minerality.

Good quality.  Ready to drink now, but may benefit from some ageing.

A very agreeable Chardonnay for food and fine weather, grown in the cooler climate of Australia's Yarra Valley.  It has a subtle nose, but gives more on the palate, and has some complexity.  

Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

From - Margaret River, Western Australia
Grape - Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol - 14.5%
Available from - Waitrose, Selfridges
Price - £18/£26

Appearance - Clear.  Deep ruby, legs observed.

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, developing, black fruit (cassis, blackberry, cherry), red fruit (plums), herbaceous (mint), sweet spice (cinnamon), Kernel (chocolate)

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, high alcohol, full body, medium+ length, high tannin.  Particularly cassis, chocolate-mint.

Tasted after two hours decanting.  I thought it was excellent.  Very expressive of Cab Sauvignon varietal characteristics, and great quality.  Smooth, very complex, developing well but it still could get better for a while yet, I think.  It has lots of character and would be great matched up with the right dinner. 

Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2012

From - South Australia
Grape - Shiraz
Alcohol - 14.5%
Available from - Waitrose
Price - £10.99 (but £8.79 until 12 May)

Appearance - Clean, with deep ruby colour.  Legs observed

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, youthful.  Blackberry and black pepper.

Palate - Dry, medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium+ intensity, medium+ length, full body.  Black fruit (blackberry), red fruit (raspberry), spice (black pepper)

Very good quality, can drink now but potential for ageing.

I tried this based on a colleague recommendation.  I can see why he is such a fan.  Lots of body, plenty of length, smooth, with ripe tannins.  An absolute steal at the moment.  If you like to age wines (and I do), this would be a candidate.  Otherwise, consider matching this with a weighty and savoury dinner.

A&R Boy Meets Girl Gewurztramer 2013

From - Victoria, Australia
Grape - Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris
Price - (latest vintage not currently available)
Alcohol - 12.5% ABV
From - Naked Wines

Appearance - Clear; medium- intensity; lemon-gold

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; developing; exotic fruit and floral

Palate - Dry; medium + acidity; medium alcohol; medium body; medium intensity; medium+ length; pears and apples, papaya, a touch of savoury spice.

Balance - 7  Length - 7  Intensity - 6 Complexity - 6.5

This was a gift from a very kind lady.  It is very fruity and tasty, and would make a great aperitif and a useful accompaniment to a creamy curry (such as Thai).  Very nice indeed.  The same blend as Hunky Dory The Tangle reviewed previously, which possibly just edges it between the two but they are both good.

Here are some Gewurztraminer grapes on the vine

Petaluma Shiraz 2010

From - Adelaide Hills, Australia
Grape - Shiraz
Alcohol - 14%
Available from - Majestic
Price - £18

Appearance - Clear; medium+ intensity; garnet

Nose - Clean; medium+ intensity; developing; ripe red fruit, cinnamon.

Palate - Dry; medium acidity; medium+ tannin; medium+ alcohol; medium+ body; medium+ intensity; medium+ length; as per nose, plus anise and cloves.

Balance - 8.5 Length - 7.5  Intensity - 7  Complexity - 7.5

This is a delicious, smooth Shiraz.  The fruit tastes beautifully ripe, and the oak influence adds complexity in a fairly subtle way.  The ripeness means that the tannins are very smooth.  The alcohol taste on the palate is just a touch more to the fore than I prefer, although it is very warming on a cool evening.  I have a second bottle, and I am looking forward to seeing how this develops, if I can have the patience and self control to leave it in the rack.