Stag's Leap Fay 1997

Date: 23 September 2006

Dark, opaque ruby colour with fragrant, complex aroma. Smooth, spicy with intense fruit and a long finish. Similar in style to the Australia shiraz, should be interesting if tasted in tandem with say, Penfold's RWT.

Rating: good

De L'Oree Ermitage1996

Date: 23 September 2006

Refreshing, citrus scented nose. Palate was creamy, smooth with prominent nutty flavours. Short but pleasing finish.

Look carefully at the photo and you'll see that the label of this wine has been inscripted in Braille. Could it be such that blind customers can pick the wine from a shelf?

Rating: good

Gaston Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Date: 21 September 2006

This is from a Mid-Autumn Festival hamper. Simple ethanolic nose with a thin, astringent palate. New world wines perform much better at the lower end of the market compared to French offerings.

Rating: poor

Chateau Palmer 1999

Date: 19 September 2006
Venue: Charissme Pavillion

A beautiful Margaux with complex and fragrant nose, powerful fruit with just the right amount of oakiness. Colour was an intense ruby compared to the faded brick red of the Duluc. Palate was rich, smooth and full with currant-jam like flavour and a long elegant finish.

The photos of the Palmer and Duluc was taken with my mobile phone under poor lighting so the quality is terrible. I should get the Sony Ericsson K800i Cybershot which comes with a proper flash.

Rating: excellent

Chateau Duluc 1989

Date: 19 September 2006
Venue: Charissme Pavillion

Colour is fading on this St. Julien with an obvious rusty rim. Black currant nose with oak, a tint of tobacco and herbs. Palate reflects the colour, with mellow fruit and barely noticeable tannins. Should not be cellared for much longer. Drink up.

Rating: average

Armador Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Date: 17 September 2006

This Chilean red has a powerful oaky aroma with plenty of background fruit. Palate was thick but rounded with spicy notes. Hints of chocolate and cream with a nice finish. An excellent effort from the Odfjell Vineyards.

Rating: good

Club des Sommeliers Merlot NV

Date: 17 September 2006

What can one say about this table wine? Red vinegar character with an odd sweetness, sugar added maybe?

Rating: poor

Dominus Napa Valley 1999

Date: 19 August 2006
Venue: The Legend Restaurant

The Legend Restaurant serves upmarket dried abalone, politically incorrect shark's fin and other exotic dishes at reasonable prices. The Dominus 99 is powerful, full bodied, full flavoured and was a beautiful accompaniment to the food.

Rating: excellent