Wow, really different. Apparently the first of its kind. Rich Viognier perfume (read apricot and spice) on nose, alongside some passionfruit/tropical aromas which is different to most Viognier I’ve tasted. Usually I detest the thick, viscous style of Viognier, but the Pinot Gris added an acidic punch that really carried the wine and balanced it out. Ideal quaffing wine for those who are bored with the usual aromatic whites. A “back deck in summer” style.

Sweet, perfumed berry lift on nose. Darker fruits on light/medium bodied palate. Reasonable length, chalky tannins, and little oak influence. This was an enjoyable quaffing style.

Ripe dark fruit. I didn’t find this particularly varietal, but it was well structured with controlled oak and reasonably easy drinking. Perhaps a little closed, but not really one that I would cellar for too long.

Sweet, ultra ripe fruit nose, almost a little confected. Is there any Viognier in this? Seemed a little light-on on the palate, compared with the expressive nose. Didn’t really do it for me. Drink now.

Best of the wines so far. Classy, deep-set fruit, medium bodied and full of flavour. Fair dollop of oak, but overall, the wine felt squeaky clean. Firmish tannins. I would happily cellar this for a few years to see it come together, but good value drinking now, nonetheless. Quality wine for the money - a surprise at this tasting.

Most interesting wine so far. An amalgam of rich dark fruit with a touch of chocolate and earthiness. Also a little confected compared with the 2003 that I had last year (and on reflection, preferred). Quite full across the palate. Oak usage was questionable, and not as clean as the previous wine. Nevertheless, good value for money.

A touch volatile on nose. Dark, intense fruit. A lot of stuffing here, and needs time to settle.

The last vintage of this wine. Intense perfumed nose. Dark, powerful fruit on heavy palate. Rather elegant despite the intensity and weight. For some reason I didn’t really enjoy this wine as much as I thought I would. Good quality, but not really for me. Preferred the Heartland Directors Cut.

Absolutely gorgeous. Clean, bright, beautiful wine. Full in the mouth, Cabernet adding tight structure. Complete and very elegant. Very good value for money, and a brilliant wine too. Contender for my wine of the year.

Clean, pure, beautiful, mouth filling fruit. Not as tightly structured as the Godolphin, however finished with lovely powdery tannins. Well-judged oak use. Elegant despite massive power. Technically exceptional, however didn’t bring me the same enjoyment as the Godolphin.

Almost black in colour. More tannic and less clean than the ‘04, and perhaps stronger and less elegant. It was a bit more expressive though. Solid wine, but not up to the previous two.

{Barrel Sample} Would have preferred to taste this directly after the 04 Godolphin, but logistical problems didn’t allow this. Lovely, focused wine. Firm structure, but palate a touch lighter than the ‘04. Too early to call for me; I don’t have enough experience with big wines this young.

{Barrel sample} Supposedly RPJ was the only one to taste these barrel samples before us - I wonder what he thought of this? More powerful, tannic, and muscular than the 04. Black in colour. Deep, strong flavoured fruit. Still retains elegance, but not as graceful or perfumed as the 04. I’m guessing he liked it?