Sunday 7 February 2021

Lynx Black Label Reserve Petite Sirah 2019, House of Big Wines, California, USA

Reminds me of Bramble jelly jam, blackberry, blueberry, toast, and spice. Would be a nice uncomplicated slurp for a barbecue.


Mark: C+





Performs Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2020, Australia

Juicy and mouthwatering. Butter, lemon, pineapple, and mango.


Mark: B-



Friday 5 February 2021

Vell Mari 2018, Can Xanet, Balearerna, Mallorca, Spain

I quite like this surprisingly given the bad reviews. It's a bit like a Blaufränkisch but with a warmer finish. Strawberries and cherries, liqourice and spice, a bit of burnt rubber. Warm finish.


This is a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Gorgollasa, and Mantonegro.

Mark: C




Soalheiro Alvarinho 2019, Monção e Melgaco, Portugal

Pear, orange notes, apple, lemon, rich texture but still fresh. Long finish.


Mark: B+




Stoneleigh Chardonnay 2019, Marlborough, New Zealand

Butter and oak upfront. Mango, pear, and pineapple. Very smooth.


Mark: C+



Monday 1 February 2021

Vina Chocolan Origen Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc 2019, Maipo Valley, Chile

Blackcurrant, raspberry, green pepper, milk chocolate, grippy tannic finish. I was expecting this to be a bit more lush given the 14.5% alcohol.


Mark: C



Sunday 31 January 2021

Three Finger Jack East Side Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Lodi, California, USA

Blackberry and blackcurrant, some milk chocolate, grippy leather tannic finish.


Mark: C+



Saturday 30 January 2021

Château Puybarbe 2014, Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux, France

Plums and blackcurrant, tobacco, an acidic leathery spicy finish.


Mark: C+



Lynx Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2019, House of Big Wines, California, USA

Pear, apple, butter, oak.


Mark: C




Bodega Norton Temprano Chardonnay 2019, Mendoza, Argentina

Apple, lemon, pineapple, earthy and minerally on the finish. High acid which makes for a juicy fruity wine. Fruit fades as wine warms up though.


Mark: C


Friday 29 January 2021

Pratsch Organic Grüner Veltliner 2019, Niederösterreich, Austria

Pear, apple, minerals, white pepper.


Mark: C+




Thursday 28 January 2021

Mâcon Milly-Lamartine "Clos Du Four" 2019, Domaine Cordier Père et Fils, Burgundy, France

A rich cold climate Chardonnay. Pears, lemon, orange notes, nutty, acidic.


Mark: C+



Wednesday 27 January 2021

Lynx Petite Sirah Zinfandel 2019, House of Big Wines, California, USA

Simple and soulless. Sweet blackberry, liqourice, leather.


Mark: C




Wagner Stempel Grauburgunder 2019, Gutswein, Rheinhessen, Germany

Pears, peaches, apples, lemon, minerals. Rich with a long finish.


Mark: B



Nik Weis St Urbans-Hof Mehringer Alte Reben Riesling 2019, Mosel, Germany

Lemon and lime, apples, honey, minerals.


Mark: B+




Sunday 24 January 2021

The Dalmatian Dog 2018, Black Island Winery D.O.O., Primorska, Sjeverna Dalmacija, Croatia

Blueberry, raspberry, cherry. Quite acidic but it gives the wine a nice refreshing lift.


Black Island Winers is owned by Swedish Zhoda Investments.

Mark: C+




Greystone Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, New Zealand

The first thing I got was passionfruit. Lots and lots of passionfruit then the lemon and a bit of blackcurrant and leafinesss kicked in. There is a slight honey sweetness here.


This wine was made with 376, 530 and MS clones of Sauvignon Blanc.

Mark: C+




Saturday 23 January 2021

Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio Riserva 2018, Trentino, Italy

Honey, pear, apple, lemon, butter. What a great find!


Mark: B



Friday 22 January 2021

I Perazzi Morellino di Scansano 2015, La Mozza Bastianich Estates, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy

Run of the mill Sangiovese, Cherries, plums, dusty tannins.


Mark: C



Moncaro Adriatico Passerina 2019, Abruzzo, Italy

Boring on its own, maybe better with food. I got apples, lemon, and an almond-like finish.


Mark: C




Thursday 21 January 2021

Zarate Albariño 2019, Eulogio Pomares, Rias Baixas, Val Do Salnes, Spain

Peaches, apples, pears, mango, minerals and slightly salty finish.


Mark: B