2007 was a good year in the Hunter for reds. A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 14% Petit Verdot. Opened for 4 hours before tasting. Colour-wise, a black core with red edges. Smell-wise, black fruits, cola, cedar, vanilla, herbs and a touch of sarsaparilla. Young. Taste-wise, currants and raspberries, earth and spice, cloves, cedar, savoury fruits with a drying edge. Smooth with good tannins. A touch of something tinny or metallic on the finish, but only a smidge. Lovely drinking now and should do 10 years plus, as is typical for the marque. Sealed under cork. $55. 13% abv. Drink 2010-2017+. 92 points.

A tight nose. Lemons, lanolin and unripe pineapple. A tight palate too. Lemon, slate and minerals. A fine spine of acid, but with pure fruits and a surprising depth of flavour. Outstanding length. Pretty much the same on the second day, except for the addition of some cut grass on the nose. The palate rounded out a bit, with minerals wrapped around a preserved lemon. Refreshing to drink now, and has potential to burn, but needs 5 more years in the bottle.

Rated : 93+ Points
Tasted : Nov09
Alcohol : 10.5%
Price : $35
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2014+
Source : Winery Sample
Website : Meerea Park

A recent release from the cellar door, along with the “Alexander Munro” Semillon 2004, and at the moment the more aromatically pleasing of the two. Though in the long run, the latter might be the better wine. Complex and subtle, with lemons, limes, minerals, lanolin, slate, wax and a touch of nuttiness and a sour pithiness. The palate is explosive, with an initial rush of flavours followed by a gradual decline into a long finish. Acid driven, intense lemon fruits, with some softer lemon and slate on the finish. Pure fruited and utterly delicious.

Other vintages: 1999, 2003

Rated : 94 Points
Tasted : Nov09
Alcohol : 10.5%
Price : $30
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2011-2019
Source : Cellar Door
Website : Meerea Park

Another ripper of a wine – I am on an excellent run at the moment. And another good’un from Meerea Park. A vibrant red/purple in colour; inviting, and upon swirling the glass there were aromas of blackberries, red plums, liquorice, pepper and vanilla. The palate showed a congregation of red and black fruits, with some gunpowder and spice. Medium bodied and with time it seemed to appear slightly backward. Excellent length, as you would expect. Should be long lived, if you can keep your hands off it.

Other vintages: 2005, 2006, 2005, 2004

Rated : 93 Points
Tasted : Nov09
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $70
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2010-2017+
Source : Winery Sample
Website : Meerea Park

An interesting nose, showing bright leather, a cherry ping, with some gunsmoke, graphite and a squirt of tomato sauce. The palate is quite acidic, with tomato passato, leather, cherries and a cleansing finish. Average length. Would have scored it higher if it weren’t for the acid – I really found it obtrusive and I wonder if I am getting more sensitive to it. Looks better with some creamy food too.

Rated : 86 Points
Tasted : Jun09
Alcohol : 13.3%
Price : $25
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2014
Source : Cellar
Website : Tyrrell’s

I had this two weeks ago, and have only just got around to getting the camera out and taking a bottle shot. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Petit Verdot, 11% Shiraz and 8% Merlot. A clear red in colour, with quite a rustic nose, new leather, red cherries, dirty fruits and a touch of volatility. The palate is lightly bodied and a bit stinky, with cherries, leather, woody spices and a touch of the old gym socks. The fruit is ripe, but not overly so, and the finish nicely drying. Might be in a bit of a hole at the moment, and would certainly benefit from a decent decant.

Rated : 88 Points
Tasted : Jun09
Alcohol : 12.6%
Price : $42
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2012+
Source : Cellar
Website : Lake’s Folly

I last had this wine a couple of years ago; time to check it out again. Unfortunately I was a little too enthusiastic and have opened two bottles in a week. Both were excellent and the notes similar. Which is good, because this doesn’t always happen with screwcaps (or corks for that matter). A rich red in colour. Initially a bit stinky, but opened nicely to show black currants and black plums, a certain nuttiness and some vanilla. The palate is still big and rich, blackberries, berry compote, vanilla and a pleasing earthiness. The tannins are super, and length superb. One from the top shelf. Drink over the next 10 years.

Rated : 94 Points
Tasted : Jun09
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $60
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2009-2019
Source : Cellar
Website : Meerea Park

I’ve had the new Cabernets a couple of times; now for the Chardonnay. Typically this wine sells out very quickly, and it is not surprising because it is usually so damn good. This vintage is no different. A sexy and complex nose: peaches and melons, cashews, with a touch of lime juice and a hint of bubblegum. The palate is fleshy and opulent, with lemons and peaches, musky and excellent weight. I feel happy just drinking it. Finishes with some vanilla and nuts. A lovely wine.

Rated : 92 Points
Tasted : Jun09
Alcohol : 14%
Price : $55
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2014
Source : Cellar Door
Website : Lakes Folly

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot and 7% Shiraz. I wasn’t expecting much given the tough vintage for reds. Quite a contrast to the 2007. Backward, though perhaps it is just a year down the road, more herbal, dusty, red cherry and leathery fruits, raspberries. Palate is medium bodied, more acid driven, cedar, raspberries and mulberries, cherries, some richness, but a little gangily and awkward. Fine grained oak. Later it showed more tobacco and less dried herbs. Absolutely silky tannins. Cleanish, perhaps a bit of dirty undergrowth. Quite charming really. Needs time.

Rated : 93 Points
Tasted : May09
Alcohol : 13%
Price : $51
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2016 – 2021+
Source : Cellar
Website : Lakes Folly