Australia

I've been Aus for a few days now, and having had few days to settle in, will start a bit of posting. Already been lucky to have a few nice drops, but didn't have the wit or time to make notes.

Highlights so far were a 7 or 8 year old Rod & Spur from Rockfords, a Lindeman's Pyrus from a similar sort of age. Both very good.

Also enjoyed a few pints at the Nelson in Sydney. Three Sheets then Nelson's Blood. Great to have something a bit more ale-y than the normal Aussie beer, although served a bit cold. Small steps, eh?

In Brisbane now for a bit of cricket, which hasn't been the best so far, although it's only end of day one.

I'm staying in a motel in a district that lacks charm. Surprisingly the on site Italian restaurant is ok, and has a pretty decent wine list, unless you're drinking by the glass or half-bottle, as I am. I am left with a Wirra Wirra Church Block 2008 from McLaren Vale. A youthful deep purple, somewhat indistinct nose and sweet in taste. Average.

Heading off to Adelaide and a couple of days in the Barossa soon. Nice.

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Hermitage Les Miaux 1999

Enjoyed with Mrs RVM for my birthday dinner at Bel's Diner.
Sat in a dark corner, but a candle demonstrated a beautiful pale ruby, with fawn rim.
Nose was earthy with mushroom, before cherries came along as it opened up later. Taste followed the nose, with forest floor initially, dark fruits developing later.
Seemed to dry and flatten later but I might have been a bit tired by then.

Saintsbury 1998 Pinot Noir

Thanks to Ian & Jo for dinner, Boeuf Bourguignon was accompanied by a choice of three reds, but this was the outstanding one for me.

C: Cherry, fawn rim. Surprisingly red for the bottle age, and promised good things to come.
N: Cherry fruit immediately, but quickly followed by complex mushroom and forest floor.
T: Red fruit initially, quickly drying out giving very very prolonged middle of robust tannin before hint of cherry at back of palate.

The tannins were almost overwhelming, and I felt a bit led down after the fascinating nose. It lacked a bit of integration in the mouth, which was a shame. The fruit flavours came forward and were better integrated with food though, and despite all the above it was a really fascinating wine.

I tried to decide whether this was wine on the way up or way down. The colour said it had time, but after tasting it my neighbour at the table and I thought time was not going to help it much more. Probably best drunk soon (like I'm going to have any more to worry about).

Excellent. 17.5/20.

Gerard Bertrand Coteaux de Languedoc Montpeyroux Grand Terroir 2008

From Majestic, £6.99.

Deep purple. Forward nose with blackberry and cherry. Sweet blackberries followed by liquorice. Good. 15/20.

Spy Mountain Pinot Noir 2008

Enjoyed with a cracking bit of free range roast chicken.

C: Cherry.
N: Musty and mushroomy.
T: Light and delicate. Redcurrant and strawberries.
Good balance, long. 16.5

Chateau Musar, 2002

Tasted 9/10/10, with dinner at Bedruthan Steps Hotel.

Had to do some work to persuade my sceptical half-French dining companion that we should drink a wine from the Lebanon, but succeeded. I'd heard a lot about this wine, particularly in Wine Society mailings, but had never tried it before.

C: Deep purple/ruby
N: Initially damp earth, mushroomy aromas, but these blew off after a while to reveal deep cassis/blackcurrant.
T: Big with plummy or mulberry jam flavour. Great balance, excellent grip mid- to end-palate giving a prolonged finish.

Sadly our waiter didn't decant, and I didn't ask - foolish! The fruit flavours that were coming out by the time we were finishing the bottle were really intriguing, although it was a great wine from the off. 18.5/20.

My table were converted, including the sceptical demi-Francais!

E. Guigal Gigondas 2006

Tasted 7/10/10. £9 from Majestic.
C: Deep purple, brownish tinge
N: Jammy, loganberry and cassis
T: Cherry initially, but fruit fades to leave high acid, and grippy tannins with decent length. With food, softens and peppery/spice character brought out.
Good, 15.5/20

Refreshing the palate

Popped into the Post Office Tavern, Westbury-on-Trym
Good beer guide listed pub.
Great local feel, but let down by big screen TV with some music channel going on. Managed to use Douglas Adams' H2G2 to divert attention.
Otter Bitter (3.6%) - beautifully fresh, if a little cold. Lovely bitterness, refreshing and 2nd pint was tempting until phone call from SWMBO.....

Alain Grignon, Carignan Vielles Vignes 2009

Bought from Majestic, £7.
C: Pale crimson
N: Red fruit - strawberry/raspberry
T: Light and floral, drying later with reasonable length
Drinks well, 15.5/20

Dom Notre Dame des Pallieres, Gigondas, 2007

Bought from Majestic, about a tenner IIRC
Tasted 28/9/10
C: Plummy red
N: Sweet, blackcurrant
T: Somewhat lacking initially, then greenish with a sour note. Pretty average but ?oxidized.
Have done better with this wine before - 2006 was ok, will re-try.

Dom La Metairie, Pecharmant, 2005

Bought from local merchants while on holiday in Dordogne.
Tasted 26/9/10.
C: Deep red, russet edge
N: Pepper/spice, damp earth
T: Dry, with red fruit and lots of tannin
Very good, will keep for another 5-10 years. 17/20.