A few tns
Martin
Clover Hill 1999. $33. 18/20
Pipers River, Tasmania. Chardonnay 51%, pinot noir 37%, pinot meunier 12%. Light gold, persistent bead. Fruity nose: spring blossoms, biscuity. Dry full palate, brioche-like flavours. Zingy, zesty finish. Fine aperitif or entrée style.
Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2003. Around $22. 17.5/20
Adelaide Hills. Pale and bright, edge of green. Attractive floral bouquet, herbal edge. Generous in the mouth, grassy and a hint of asparagus. Clean, medium acidity on the finish.
Andrew Thomas Braemore Semillon 2003. $21. 18/20
Hunter Valley. Water pale. Pungent, herbaceous, lemon and hay on the nose. Lifted aromatic style – almost jumps out of the glass at you. Full of citrus and herbs. Shares some sauvignon blanc characters. Cellar to 2010. Distributors: Australian Prestige Wines, phone +61 3 9388 9700.
Lillydale Estate Chardonnay 2002. About $19. 18.5/20
Yarra Valley. Pale gold. Apricots and toastiness on the nose. Peaches and like fruits in abundance on the palate, supported by spicy French oak, hint of citrus at the finish. Drinking well now and until 2005.
Kies Monkey Nut Tree Sparkling Merlot 2002. $25. 17.5/20
Red to purple. Berries and subtle oak on the nose. Sweetish blackberry fruit and a hint of liquorice in the mouth. Off-dry finish. A welcome-the-guests style.
De Bortoli Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2002. About $28. 18/20
Mid-crimson. Aromatic strawberries and raspberries on the nose. More ripe strawberries on the palate. Silky soft mouthfeel. Fruitiness persists in the aftertaste. And why wouldn't it? The note that accompanied this sample said that in the making of this wine "...two rather buxom blond Swedish hospitality students in black bikinis gave pigeage a whole new meaning..."
Hanging Rock Heathcote Shiraz 2001. $55. 18.5/20
Black to purple. Lovely nose of pepper, mint and a hint of eucalypt. Chewy, textured red shows lasting but not aggressive tannins, along with plums, vanillin oak and savoury aspects. You would only serve this one to close friends who really like good red.
Mount Gay Eclipse Rum About $35. 18.5/20
Barbados, West Indies. Tea-hues. Delicate perfume of sugar cane and molasses. Smooth, supple, slinky, superb. If they made rum in Cognac it might taste like this.