Wine Review 2010

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Lot # Wine Year M D Comment
ARGENTINA’S FINEST
Since Opimian forged links with the top Argentinean wine club, Club del Vino, selections have progressed from careful and conservative
to innovative and exciting. Producers like O. Fournier and Mauricio Lorca are solidly positioned in the top ranks in the country,
although with high international acclaim and reputation they are inevitably more expensive than other producers. Fortunately, such is
the strength of our partner; we have been able to assemble a group of supporting bodegas whose wines are showing great potential
and outstanding quality.
4143 Malma Clásico Merlot,
Vinedos de la Patagonia
2005 9 9 Superb, cool climate Merlot showing delightful spice and fruit.
4144 Urban Uco Tempranillo, O. Fournier 2005 8 8 Shades of northern Spain, Manuel Gil Fournier has made a
real classic with even greater richness than his archetypal
Ribera del Duero.
4145 Urban Uco Malbec, O. Fournier 2005 7 8 Maturing slowly, but steadily. A great wine.
4146 A Crux Malbec, O. Fournier 2005 8 8 Fournier’s top gun – this is huge, but balanced, and very long
flavoured.
4147 Fantasia Chardonnay, Mauricio Lorca 2007 9 9 Perfect, harmonious and showing a fine fruit/acid balance.
4148 Fantasia Malbec, Mauricio Lorca 2006 8 8 A wine that shows how well Malbec has acclimatized here.
4149 Ópalo Malbec, Mauricio Lorca 2006 7 8 Even more distinguished. Still developing its full potential.
4150 Poético Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 8 9 Ripe and full-bodied. Good tannins, still show plenty of
Mauricio Lorca gruff edges.
4151 Anubis Syrah/Bonarda, 2006 8 9 This is as good an example of this uniquely Argentinean
Bodegas Dominio del Plata blend as we have seen.
4152 Cerro Azul Syrah, Bodegas La Guarda 2006 8 9 Nicely developed. Does not say much about Syrah, but an
awful lot about fruit and vinosity.
4153 Cerro Azul Bonarda, 2006 8 8 Good now. Soft enough to be entirely enjoyable. It has a
Bodegas La Guarda very sturdy structure.
4154 Don David Cabernet Sauvignon,
Bodegas El Esteco
2006 8 9 Very attractive and typical. Soft and ready.
4155 Don David Tannat, Bodegas El Esteco 2006 9 9 One of the local grapes, Tannat is very tough and tannic when
young, but this is now softening and losing colour, so drink this year.
4158 Milyaroo Chardonnay 2007 9 9
4159 Milyaroo Semillon/Chardonnay 2007 9 9 Beautifully held together by the slower maturing Semillon
4160 Milyaroo Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 8 8 Entirely ready and perfect now.
4161 Milyaroo Merlot 2007 9 9 Lovely, supple red charmer.
4162 Milyaroo Shiraz 2007 9 9 Fine nose. Rather supple, good fruit. Modest level of tannin.
4163 Richland Chardonnay 2007 8 9 Mouthful of melon and pineapple. Lovely notes of lime and
lemon acidity.
4164 Richland Shiraz, 2007 9 9 Good fruit. Easy. Hardly any tannin to support the structure.
Drink this year.
4165 “96 Points” Shiraz/Viognier, 2005 8 9 Very fine blend. Plenty of tannin, but enhanced by the acidity
of the Viognier. Continue to enjoy.
4166 “96 Points” Durif, 2006 8 8 A very uncommon grape outside this part of Australia, it is
very successful here. Red fruit and muscular tannins.
4167 “3 Bridges” Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 9 9 Very drinkable. Don’t keep.
4168 “3 Bridges” Reserve Shiraz 2005 8 8 Marching on to maturity. Not fully ready, but drinking really well.
4169 Westend Estates, Shiraz, 2006 8 8 Fine leather. Vanilla ice cream. Preserved cherries and bitter
Langhorne Creek, Founders’ Choice chocolate.
4170 Nulkaba Shiraz/Merlot 2006 9 9 Drink anytime from now onwards.
4171 Riverwood Chardonnay 2006 9 9 Banana, melon, canned pears and white orange blossom.
Good nose. Lovely fresh palate.
Wine Review 2010