Cabernet and friends

A mix of wines with a theme oriented around wines from the Cabernet family, but ended up also including some wines that were Merlot dominant and Petit Verdot dominant as well. Nonetheless, an enjoyable set of wines and an informative tasting.

In addition to the Tyrrell's HVD 2005, there was also a bottle of Leo Buring Leonay Riesling 2006 going around, however unfortunately I missed this one.

• 2005 Tyrrell's Sémillon Single Vineyard HVD 93 Points

  Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley

  A cheeky lunchtime glass today - this is absolutely flying at the moment, lovely soft acids, a touch of brioche now emerging, good length and exquisite balance. Classic Hunter Semillon in its prime...hope you all have some left! No rush to drink if from a cool cellar.

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• 2010 Poggio al Tesoro Meditérra Toscana IGT 83 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  A blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Plums and green capsicum with a touch of VA lift. There is an immediate metallic note on entry and that sits on top of the wine throughout and mars the wine. Some chocolate and earth notes. The nose more successful than the palate for this one. Probably best for making ragu, drink up.

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• 2008 Argiano Solengo Toscana IGT 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  A blend of 30% Petit Verdot, 25% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Attractive cassis and plum nose. Cedar, graphite and plum flavours with a five-spice note on the finish that some felt was almost medicinal/cough syrup in character, there are still some persistent grippy tannins, good length.

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• 2010 Château La Serre 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Plum and milk chocolate aromas. This is still a bit tight and could do with another 5 years or so in the cellar, al dente tannins with good acid spine, dark plums and earth notes. Lovely.

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• 2009 Château La Serre 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  Dark plums primarily on the nose. In comparison to the 2010 that was tasted alongside, the 2009 is considerably more open, with a generously fruited midpalate of plum, a whisp of tannins remain, and good length. In a good spot at the moment.

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• 2004 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 407 90 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  Deep nose of cassis. A slight herbal twist on the palate, dry grippy tannins and acidity, long. In comparison with previous bottles, this one didn't have the burnt wood note that so many Penfolds (esp Bin 28) has, which is good - that note doesn't sit right with me at all.

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• 1996 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 407 93 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  Opaque, garnet with a touch of bricking. Still holding its cassis fruit and also with a whisp of mint, there's now some good tertiary development, with some leather and earth notes intermingling. Rounded, balanced, fine acidity, tannins mostly resolved now. Wonderful, and no rush to drink if from a cool cellar. If cellared a bit more casually, likely needs to be drunk.

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The La Serre brace and the 407 were the wines I enjoyed the most. The 2004 Bin 407 was a surprise, as I recalled not enjoying these as much over the past couple of years. The HVD Semillon was a great wine to start proceedings...oh to have a stash of this in the cellar now!