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Lanson Black Label Brut Around $50. Light straw, medium bead. Spring blossoms and fragrant strawberry tart on the nose. Fresh, light and elegant palate, subtle yeastiness and finishes crisply, like a mouthful of just-picked apple.
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Banrock Station White Shiraz 2004 $6. Screwcap. Colour reminds me of raspberry juice. Generous fruit salad nose. Juicy, grapey palate with likeable touch of sweetness. Tasty starter.
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Crabtree Watervale Riesling 2004 Cellar door price $20 or $200 the dozen. Screwcap. Pale lime hues. Floral lime and kiwi fruit nose. Intense, ripened citrus fruits give an illusive sweetness to a very dry wine. Crisp acids lend themselves to the pleasing aftertaste.
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Clairault Swagman's Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2004 $13.50. Margaret River. Light gold. Tropical fruit nose. Softer style with edges of blackcurrant leaf and an off-dry, mild acid finish.
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10 minutes by Tractor Chardonnay 2002 $28. Mornington Peninsula. Pale straw. Peaches and toasted French oak on the nose. Palate exhibits complexity of upfront stone fruit and biscuity oak in a solid, mellow white. Should go well with entrées and lighter main courses.
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Kooyong Massale Pinot Noir 2003 $26. 'Diamond' closure.
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. Mornington Peninsula. Mid-crimson. Inviting dark cherries, raspberries and vanillin oak on the nose. Noticeably dry style with nicely textured tannic astringency. Flavours remind me of maraschino cherry liqueur. Finish is quite firm – this should soften off in a year or two.
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Xanadu Secession Merlot 2003 $14. Western Australia. Ruby red. Fruity nose with a mocha edge. Medium-weighted, very dry and firm, flavours of plums with a loamy undertone.
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Taylors Clare Valley Shiraz 2003 $18. Deep red, purple edge. Plummy mulberry nose with a hint of anise and alcohol warmth (15%). Spicy red showing very ripe berries, a touch of dark chocolate and medium tannins.Cheers! Martin