Blind tasting notes: Theme was New World, anything but Bordeaux varietals.
2015 Soumah Single Vineyard Chardonnay (Yarra) – mineral and smoke nose, some oak, rather French style, quite nice.
1993 Louis Martini Gnarly Vines Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vd. – I was first up and wanted this to go first in case I needed a back up. No worries – it was still quite dark in colour, and contrary to the usual form, had somehow retained the blackberry fruit of a much younger Zin, so was identifiable to the group, although they were amazed at the age. Balanced and medium long.
2005 Peter Franus Brandlin Vd. Mt. Veeder Zinfandel – big dark wine with a meaty spicy berry nose, on the ripe side, and sweet in the mouth. Good length.
2005 Craggy Range Syrah Le Sol Gimblett Gravels Vineyard – Dark wine with black cherry and pepper nose, medium body. Very nice and rare to see a NZ Syrah.
2004 Sandhill Barbera Small Lots Program Sandhill Estate Vineyard – this BC wine was medium bodied with a slightly warm nose. No better than decent and tapered off at the end.
2007 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène – light colour, red fruit nose, very Burgundian, with clean fruit on palate and a long finish.
1998 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve – dark wine with a briary nose, smooth, sweet but not over the top as many 1998s can be.
2009 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah – this Cape wine has always been a great performer. Lovely varietal syrah nose, with hints of barnyard, sweet in the mouth and long, with soft tannin. No rush.
2009 Ridge Zinfandel Carmichael Ranch – a ripe nose followed through on palate but it narrowed down toward the end and was a bit less than generous with the fruit at the end. OK, but nothing special.
Quady Winery Batch 88 Starboard – nice way to finish – a very decent new world produced Port made from traditional varietals.