New Releases - October

Cabernet & Blends
Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 $63 (Tasmania)
Woodlands Estate Cabernet Merlot 2007 $21 (Margaret River)

Chardonnay
Leabrook Estate 2006 $30 (Adelaide Hills)
Main Ridge Estate 2006 $57 (Mornington Peninsula)
Mandala 2006 $21 (Yarra Valley)

Grenache & Blends
Cirillo "1850 Old Vine" Grenache 2005 $46 (Barossa Valley)
Fireblock 2003 $17 (Clare Valley)
Ross Estate "Single Vineyard Old Vine" 2006 $22 (Barossa Valley)
Sierra Cantabria "Crianza" 2003 $37 (Spain)

Italian Varietal Reds
Cobaw Ridge Langrein 2004 $38 (Macedon Ranges)

Italian Varietal Whites
Tedeschi Soave Classico 2007 $24 (Italy)

Pinot Gris & Grigio
French Island Pinot Gris 2007 $23 (Mornington Peninsula)
Pizzini Pinot Grigio 2008 $20 (King Valley)

Pinot Noir
Bended Knee 2005 $30 (Ballarat)
Kouark Winery 2005 $19 (Gippsland)
Rokewood Junction 2004 $30 (Ballarat)

Ports
All Saints Vintage Port 2003 $27 (Rutherglen)

Sangiovese
Villa Trasqua "Chianti Classico" 2005 $24 (Italy)

Sauvignon Blanc & Blends
Grosset Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2008 $30 (Adelaide Hills)
Leabrook Estate 2008 $22 (Adelaide Hills)
Mandala 2007 $18 (Yarra Valley)

Shiraz
Digger's Bluff "Top Dog" 2005 $47 (Barossa Valley)
Elgo Estate "Allira" Shiraz 2006 $13 (Strathbogie Ranges)
Mount Billy "Antiquity" 2004 $45 (Barossa Valley)
Narkoojee "Myrtle Point" 2006 $22 (Gippsland)
Torbreck "The Factor" 2005 $120 (Barossa Valley)

Tempranillo
Bodegas San Alejandro "Baltasar Vinas Viejas" Tempranillo 2004 $28 (Spain)
Ross Estate 2007 $16 (Barossa Valley)

Tasting Notes - Grosset "Watervale" Riesling 2007 (Recommended)

Not bad for a domestic business class pour. Looks just a fraction developed with a very faint lime green tinge. Aromas don't really scream riesling, rather a ripe dry white (ie more generic). Quite full bodied with a 'thick' fruit weight right through the palate; very appealing. Powerful lemon and citrus drives the palate; quite up front and forceful. Certainly ripe and this drives an ever-so-slightly abrasive finish with a little heat and prickly acid. Hard to get a read on longevity but should be good as a 4yr - 6yr.

New Releases - September

Cabernet Sauvignon & Blends
Edwards Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 $25 (Margarey River)
Majella "The Musician" Cabernet Shiraz 2007 $21 (Coonawarra)

Champagne
Egly Ouriet Grand Cru Brut Rose NV $151 (Champagne)
Egly Ouriet Grand Cru Extra Brut VP $151 (Champagne)
Egly Ouriet Grand Cru Millesime 2000 $190 (Champagne)

Chardonnay
Domaine Bernard Defaix "Cote de Lechet" Premier Cru 2005 $48 (France)
Edwards Vineyard Chardonnay 2007 $25 (Margaret River)

Durif
Bullers "Calliope" 2004 $37 (Rutherglen)

Gewurztraminer
Vinoptima "Ormond" 2004 $48 (Gisborne, NZ)

Grenache
Teusner "Moppa" 2006 $93 (Barossa Valley)

Pinot Noir
Dry River 2006 $148 (Martinborough)

Riesling
Frank Kunstler "Dry" 2006 $30 (Germany)

Sauvignon Blanc & Blends
Edwards Vineyard SSB 2007 $20 (Margaret River)
Mansion House Bay 2008 $17 (Marlborough)
Seresin 2007 $26 (Marlborough)

Shiraz
Edwards Vineyard 2006 $24 (Margaret River)
Laughing Jack 2005 $34 (Barossa Valley)

Stickies
Lustau Pedro Ximenez "San Emilio" NV $27