Hamelin Bay - Rampant White - 2006

Another Western Australian winery from Margaret River. Picturesque drive into the tasting rooms - then a beautiful vista down into a valley over part of their vinyards.

Once again another winery that has staff that makes you feel welcome - and do not talk down to or at you.

This white blend has 3 whites in it - Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay - and they all combine to make a very yummy sit in the pool after work on a hot day drink. James Halliday has given this 90 points - and though I don't always agree with him - in this instance I do. As you have gathered by now I don't really do nose or taste - but this definitely had a kiwi fruit nose :) is light in the mouth - but stayed there for a while. I drank it by itself.

Here is a link to the winery - be sure to put it on your must visit list

Windance Estate - Shiraz - Clearskin

This clearskin is going to be their 2006 vintage if I understood the owner properly.

What a wonderful wine it is to. The 2005 vintage is winning all sorts of awards and I will be very surprised if this one doesn't as well.

Found the winery by complete chance as we were driving around Margaret River, and will have to say that the owner made us feel like part of the family. Wasn't so much of a wine tasting as a good old chat.

This wine is very drinkable - but still young - does not make your mouth pucker with tannin, very smooth.

This is the link to the winery - their other wines are very good too - but haven't started to drink the stash we came home with.

St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz - 2005

The last wine I loved from the red wine night at Night school.

I was amazed how young it was - because it tastes like an old wine - this one will be around for a few years yet. I am going to by more as it is not often I find a South Australian Shiraz that is to my taste.

Rich, fruity with meaty highlights. A hint of black pepper - but not so strong that it destroys the wine.

there is a big trend for South Australian wines to be overpoweringly Black pepperish - yuk yuk yuk!!!

This one - YUM!!!

Chain of Ponds Amadeus Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

This vintage the wine was 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Rich and berry fruity - with a hint of liquorish - I thought I smelt a nutty smell as well.

I could have demolished this whole bottle - all I got was one glass as my share - and it left me wanting more.

Will keep my eye out for more of these - I think there may be a bottle in my husbands cellar :)

Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot 2004

Tasted this one at the wine appreciation course I have been attending - was lovely

65% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance being Merlot - it is still a bit young - but oh so drinkable. I could taste the cherry, and it lasted a long time in the mouth - very fruity with low tannin. Well balanced - will try it again in a few years - but I could drink it now quite happily