More recently my palate for red wine has been maturing – or so I’d like to think =)

Hence, I’ve decided that at the end of every month I will post a list of what I’ve liked and what I’ve added to my collection.

So here goes:

Last weekend I made a trip to Canberra, and dropped in on Mount Majura. They had some awesome grapes and they include:

The award winning Chardonnay ($21) has a really nice melon and buttery toast taste and one that I wouldn’t recommend drinking when it’s chilled. Stick it in the fridge for 20 to 30 mins, and you have a wonderful glass with a white meat dish. Keeps well till 2019.

The Tempranillo ($35) was perhaps my favourite amongst their selection of reds. Beautiful rich red flavour of dark berries and cherry with some very fresh and fruity tastes to it. I think this will sell quickly, so stock up and keep for a few years (until 2014).

The Riesling ($21) was my favourites from the whites. Rated 94 by James Halliday, this wine has beautiful flavours of citrus and would work well with seafood and white meat. I highly recommend keeping a few bottles in the cellar for just under a decade (2018).

Above are some recent favourites from the Wine Society. Having been a member with them for over 2 years now, they have had some excellent bottles on their shelves.

First off, 2008 Shanahan Barking Dog GSM ($22.99)- this is an awesome cork bottle of fun sold exclusively by Wine Society. Deep red plums, berries and spices make up the palate and I’d recommend cellaring for a little while longer – I think 2012 could be it’s prime – but will stay well till 2016.

The 2008 Zilzie Cabernet Sauvignon ($12.99) is a brilliant quaffing wine that works really well with red meat. Drink some now and over the course till 2012.

The multi-awarding winning 2008 Taylors Estate Clare Valley Shiraz ($12.99) is another ripper that is great for drinking now, but over time (up to 2016) would open up to be an even better bottle. With sweet notes and fine tanins this is a must buy. Don’t let the price tag fool you.

Lastly, the 2005 Grant Burge Holy Trinity GSM ($35)- what a great wine this is. Had it for dinner over at Blue Eye Dragon (BYO) and thought it was absolutely fantastic with the food we ordered. Fruit intensive with deep colours, this wine will mature over the next 12 years. I couldn’t resist getting a dozen – a bottle for each year!