Bardinet Rhum Negrita – $30

A French blend of dark rum from the islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe and Réunion. Light tea hues. Aromatic nose, molasses predominant. A smooth, medium-weighted style; not as medicinal as some dark rums. Well suited to mixin’ rather than sippin’ straight.

d’Arenberg The Noble Botrytotinia F*ckeliana 2010 – $20 – ˜˜˜˜****

Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale, South Australia; Semillon / sauvignon blanc blend; 8% alcohol. Sounds more like something itchy you’d go to the clinic for than a sweet white wine. Bright gold. Nose of passionfruit and zest of Seville oranges. Palate is smooth and viscous, laden with flavours of marmalade and rich apricot sauce. At first it tastes indulgently sweet but any hint of cloying is offset by upfront citric acidity. (Re net censors – insert *U above.)

Delatite Dead Man’s Hill Gewurtztraminer 2010 – $25 – ˜˜˜***

Bright, light and pale to the eye. Limes and faint musk and Turkish Delight in the bouquet. Smooth in texture, mouth filling with apple pie and rose water and mild acidity to finish.

Leasingham Bin 7 Clare Valley Riesling 2010- $23 – ˜˜˜***

Light straw. Dried pears, Granny Smith apples and lemon zest on the nose. Lemony, sherbert-like flavours dominate the palate, balancing nicely with a citric tang at the finish.

Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 – $29 – ˜˜˜***

Almost water pale. Pungent tomato bush, black currant leaf and lychee nose. Light and bright in the mouth with more leafiness, grassiness and grapefruit notes. Medium acidity to finish.

Lindeman’s Bin 0905 Padthaway Nyrang Shiraz 2009 – $12.90 – **˜˜

Dark crimson, slight purple on the edge. Inviting ripe blackberry conserve on the nose. A dry and medium-weighted palate displays wild berries underpinned by a hint of black olives and savoury smokiness. Finishes firm. Excellent value.

Andrew Garrett Sparkling Shiraz NV – seen for $11 to $14 – ˜˜**

Purplish foam when poured. Ripe plums and dark cherries on the nose. A medium weighted, off-dry sparkler with flavours suggesting Cherry Ripe and Cassis.

Tarrawarra Estate K-Block Merlot 2009 – $35 – ˜˜˜***

Yarra Valley, Victoria. Mid ruby. The nose shows subdued, musky mulberry fruit and tight French oak. In the mouth, rich berry essences and a shade of mint combine with silky tannins and subtle use of barrel fermentation to present an integrated whole.

Shaw and Smith Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2009- $40 – ****˜˜˜˜

Deep red with faint violet hues. Summer pudding nose with a hint of toasted oak. Dry, full and fruity in the mouth with somewhat assertive tannins that will soften nicely with a little bottle age. One to cellar for five years or so or to serve now with substantial main courses.

Fox Creek JSM 2008 – $22.50 – ˜˜˜***

McLaren Vale, South Australia. A blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Dark red to black. Generous plumminess, dark cherries and a hint of dusty oak on the nose. Warm and generous in the mouth where softish tannins support successive layers of ripe berries. Finish is long and moreish.

Ratings

*****˜˜˜˜˜ – outstanding

****˜˜˜˜ – classy

***˜˜˜ – first-rate

˜˜** – good stuff

*˜ – commercial