Nothing horribly exciting, but here is what went down last week:
2001 Goeff Hardy K1 Cabernet Sauvignon, Adelaide Hills, SA
Approximately Price: $25.00
Appearance: Dark violet.
Nose: Intense. Primary aromas included beetroot, rhubarb, oregano and tobacco. The secondary and tertiary aromas from barrel and bottle aging were just barely detectable. Overall, the nose was only moderately complex, but enjoyable to smell none-the-less.
Palate: Started off with surprising fruit concentration on the front palate. An abundant amount of itty, bitty, little tannins, made for a dynamic mouth feel- not unlike being licked by a cat. The astringency was apparent, but enjoyable, as was the acid. It had a nice finish with moderate length.
2003 Nepethe “Good Doctor†Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills, SA.
Approximately Price: $35
Appearance: Light, brick red .
Nose: Moderate intensity, with primary characters of red cherries, cranberries, and a faint hint of dried oregano. Secondary characters of faint vanilla oak, and horse hair. It was still youthful, with enough complexity to make it interesting- although the bouquet struck me as being slightly contrived and perhaps a bit too paint-by-number.
Palate: The acid and tannins were in balance. The acid was refreshing, and the tannins were light and pleasant. Fruit concentration on the palate was low, and the finish was medium/short. However, overall the palate was quite pleasant although not mind blowing.
2002 Abercorn Hills “Growers Revenge†Shiraz/Cabernet/Merlot, Mudgee, NSW
Price: $39.95
NOTE: THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT BOTTLE-TO-BOTTLE VARIATION.
Appearance: Opaque, plum hue, with ruby rim.
Nose: Cleanliness questionable, displaying 4-EP/EG-like characters (“Brettâ€Â), and a little VA. However, the pungency of those aromas were challenged by big black cherry primary characters and toasty caramel oak notes. As the night progressed, they seemed to balance each other out and made for a curious, but alluring nose.
Palate: A lean medium bodied wine, with a watery mid-palate. The tannins were chalky in texture sand didn’t seem to carry, as the length was short. Overall the palate was disappointing and slightly off the mark.
2005 Gemtree Uncut Shiraz, McLaren Vale, SA
Price: $24.00
Appearance: Opaque, Violet.
Nose: Medium intensity. Primary fruit characters were in the black fruit spectrum, where secondary aromas of tobacco, licorice, and mint chocolate made for a wonderfully complex nose. The downfall of this bouquet came from its prickly hot nose.
Palate: Full bodied, mouth filling, and velvety palate. The tannins were very smooth and seemed almost non-existent which made the palate flaccid. The acid came off slightly sour. A fair whack of oak lingered beyond anything else on the finish. Overall, an unassuming smooth and approachable palate.
Cheers,
RR
and that alcohol free week was the longest month of my life. 
