From the Coal River Valley in Tasmania. On the nose, gooseberries and musky fruits, lemons, none of that grassy asparagus-ness. There are sweet tropical fruits on the palate, lemons and lychees, unripe pineapple, quite full bodied and different to what the nose would suggest. The finish is satisfying, drying and ...

I asked my boss what he wanted to drink this evening and he said ‘a red and a white’. At which point my eyes lit up because there is nothing I like more than to ask an endless list of questions. Just ask JP..I can be an outstandingly annoying man. Full bodied? Aromatic? Dry or off dry? ..and so on. And what was the answer? Sauvignon blanc of course. I’d be up for a punch up if I were a sommelier...

Dinner with friends and they give me this blind. What is it they ask with full focus on the innocent Davo. Mmmm says I. very young estery wine like that style of Riesling that most of Australia seems to like. I have also seen this on Traminer and maybe even ...

No preamble this time, except to say that the Iron Pot Bay winery is situated on the banks of the Tamar River. A nose of white asparagus, cut grass, unripe citrus fruits and a bit of spice – quite delicate flavours with an underlying richness. The palate shows asparagus, green ...

I liked the 2003 version of this wine, so opened this with high expectations. A pleasing colour – a vibrant red with splashes of purple. The nose is full-on, with black fruits, spice, milk chocolate, vanilla and earth, cinnamon, and a bit of volatile acidity. It just smelled like a ...

I used the photo for the 2004 vintage here but I did notice that the label now has the inclusion of some raised print. Quite appropriate too because this wine deserves a promotion. Maybe even a corner office? It is much better than it’s predecessor. I do love a merlot/cabernet franc blend. My favourite wine is Cheval Blanc (although that is a cabernet franc/merlot blend) and this offers...

This one was a youngin’, so it was given a couple of hours in a decanter before it was tasted. The nose is quite earthy and meaty, floral and a bit stinky, with ripe blackberries and sunshine, stones and if you were being critical, a touch of VA too. The ...

This is one of our house reds, and it is about time I wrote a note on it. And with a flick of the wrist, I was into the bottle. Aromas of black fruits, tar, fruitcake and a bit of spirit. The palate showed blackberries, spices and baked earth, and ...

This was served after a brace of Pinots. It was deep red, bright and with a very clean nose. It showed the candied fruit of young grenache with a little extra licorice and cinamon from the other varieties. The palate has the same lovely intense, pure fruits. The Grenache is ...

I suspect this is the first 2003 Bordeaux that I have had. Deep red colour that is very bright. New world style of very bright fruit and oak. Very clean with great balance of Cab and oak aromas on the nose. The palate has the same bright fruit and oak ...