Bertrand Amboise Cote de Nuits 2000

This is a clean medium bodied, gamey pinot that for me was a little bit watery and needed a bit more oomph to it. It had delicious flavours but at £15 a bottle I had hoped for something a little but more - it was perhaps a touch too acidic though this may improve in time but for me it lacked a certain something.

Fairview "La Beryl" Blanc 2005

A sumptuous, delicious, slughtly decadent desert wine from the Fairview stable in South Africa, made using grapes that have been dried on straw mats in barns to decrease the water content giving a sticky juice that creates a lovely wine. Made from Chenin Blanc and Semillon it has the right level of acidity to give the all important crispeness that prevents it being liquid toffee! This has tropical fruit aromas and flavours of melon and mango this is ready to drink now - it will keep but I'm not sure it would ever last long in my Cellar! This is glorious and tasted on the same occasion as the Blackwell Shiraz finished an evening in delicious style.

Calizza Tempranillo 2004

DO NOT TOUCH THIS - I wouldn't serve this to a room full of people that I really didn't like - let alone try and drink it myself - that it unless you like the flavours of gunpowder and fireworks! It was simply horrendous stuff - that frankly Sainsbury's (yes name and shame!) should be ashamed to have on their shelves! If you see it being served at a dinner party - then now is the time to offer to drive on this occasion!

St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2002

This is the type of Shiraz that could open the batting - sure it's probably not in Grange league - not that I've ever had the chance to try - it is however still pretty blooming good. It may even not be as good as the celebrated Old Block (another on my "to do" list). This fits neatly between the St. Faith entry level Shiraz and the Old Block - a clear step up from the former. This was packed with aromas of vanilla, pepper and blackberry and plums and tasted every bit as good as it smelled. Sometimes wine is nice and sometimes it is really exciting - and this for me was exciting. Ready to drink now, but it would equally last another 5-7 years - the problem being it will be brilliantly nice at every stage - none better than the other - just different - so when to drink it?!