Vinea Marson Heathcote Syrah 2008

As was in August 2011, only William Shakespeare can give it true justice:

My love is as a fever, longing still
For that which longer nurseth and disease;
Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill,
Th' uncertain sickly appetite to please.
My reason, the physician to my Love,
Angry that his prescriptions are not kept, 
Hath left me, and I desperate now approve
Desire is death, which physic did expect.
Past cure I am, now reason is past care,
And frantic mad with evermore unrest;
My thoughts and my discourse as mad men's are,
At random from the truth vainly express'd;
    For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright,
    Who art as black as hell, as dark as night.

Sonnets 147

Brooding. Dark. Blackberries. Black Olive tapanade. Soy Sauce. Balsamic. Lust. Love. Envy. Need. Want.

The Vinea Marson Heathcote Syrah 2008  

Drink!!!
Drink till you have licked all residual flecks from the glass
100/100
Diam cork 14.5%v/v

Mount Monument Macedon Ranges 2011 Pinot Noir

Another reason how the experts got it wrong. The Mount Monument Macedon Ranges 2011 Pinot Noir is a belter. Yes, as I have said before, 2011 was a very tough year for growers, but it all comes down to vineyard management and how you protect your fruit. I do not know who is in charge at the Mount Monument gaff but they deserve a big pat on the back. And a beer. And a medal. And the week off for that matter.

A great colour in the glass, the wine throws up a great mix of spice, funk and supple tart red fruit. In the palate the wine is swimming with depth of flavour; toasted spice, burnt toffee, tart raspberry and cranberry and perfectly balanced oak.

Again, a super wine from a real tough vintage. Good onya Mount Monument.

Drink with jerk chicken and beetroot salad - a Susan
Drink till 2016
97
Diam cork 13.5%v/v $32 Seddon Wine Store

Azienda Agricola il Borghetto Tuscany Montigiano IGT Sangiovese 2010

And the year just keeps going...

Its October. This year is going sop fast. And this year has also been a year of some amazing wine. From this post until the end of the year I will write only about super-sexy stuff. So on that note people, we have a new club house leader. The Azienda Agricola il Borghetto Tuscany Montigiano IGT Sangiovese 2010.

What a wine!!!! A serious wine that in a blind tasting could easily be mistaken for a Burgundy (the winemaker worked at Dujac in Burgundy I was told at the tasting) with plenty of game, earth and funk. The nose starts out with supple spice and tart red fruit, but it is the palate that picks it up with mouth watering acid and fine tannins all holding sway with wet terracotta, toasted spice and more tart red fruit singing singing and singing. Seriously well made wine and a label definitely to look out for down at the Brunswick East Wine Store next year. An Icona Pop wine if ever there was one!!!

Drink with crispy duck breast
Drink till 2018
98
Screwcap 13.5%v/v $32 at Seddon Wine Store

Giovanni Almondo Piedmont Roero Arneis 2010

Sometimes you can stick your nose in a glass and wonder and ponder on what you are smelling; citrus, honey, butterscotch, chocolate. Yep, the olfactory is a mysterious thing. But sometimes the aroma just goes bang. The Giovanni Almondo Piedmont Roero Arneis 2010 is such a wine with a wackity-wack-wack of spiced quince; quince baby, where's the cheese I say. But don't drink with cheese, its gotta be pork. That's whats on the menu tonight. Just get it.

Drink with pork - that's a Susan!!!
Drink till 2015
95
Quality cork 13%v/v $35 Seddon Wine Store

Bindi Heathcote Pyrette Shiraz 2009

Yes. Indulgences.
Full nose. Subtle blackberry conserve primary. Spice comes through. Savoury black olive tapenade. Smmoth fruit. Length. Length. Absolute indulgence. Super length. Not much left. Get it. But not mine.

Drink with char grilled beef - again I know
Drink till 2019
98
Diam cork 13.5%v/v 

Château Bel Air Saint-Estéphe 2009

Saint-Estéphe. Think the kid at school who always got bullied. When they grew up they became people like Bill Gates, Quentin Bryce and Tim Winton. Saint-Estéphe. The sub-region on the Left Bank that always gets overlooked, but then, Schazamm!!! In your face Haut-Medoc and Paulliac.

Two days later. 

The Château Bel Air Saint-Estéphe 2009 is super sexy on day 1, getting spesh day 2 - just a wee sip though, and all baby-got-back on day 3. Today. Baby-got-back indeed.  The nose is all coco powder with a tinge of pepper corn - think the big tree on Barrow Street in Brunswick if you are in the area. More chocolate on the primary palate with achingly precise cassis and cedar pushing through. Seriously, a great wine now and plenty down the track and a possible new club house leader

Bullies out there, suck on this!!!

Drink with char grilled lamb
Drink till 2020+
98
Quality cork 13.5%v/v $58 Seddon Wine Store

Fathers Day 2013

A gorgeous start to spring. A ride in the park with the kids and Erin. A super roast chook. A delicious wine - the Giaconda Beechworth Chardonnay 2006 Cette Bouteille porte le No. 4882 ; Developed. Sensual. Beautiful. Stunning. Happy Fathers Day indeed.