As far as I am concerned the silly season is in full flight, the first week or so of November has been good for my wine education, lots of dinners, good wine and, usually, good company.

The following is is the first block of wines that I have tasted, there are a lot more to come!

wdt_ID	Wine	Photo
1	Brokenwood Semillon Vintage: 2008 Region: Hunter Valley, Australia Varietal: Semillon Colour: Pale Straw Nose: Zesty Citrus and Lemon Flavour: Lemon and Citrus Finish: Medium Alcohol: 10% Great example of Hunter Semillon, way to young, but very enjoyable. Another 20 years and this will be impressive (hopefully I will get the chance to try it then!)
2	Murray Street Vineyards Benno Vintage: 2004 Region: Barossa Valley, Australia Varietal: Shiraz, Mataro Colour: Deep purple Nose: Pleasant combination of black pepper, spice, eucalyptus and mint Flavour: Full-Bodied eucalyptus and mint Tannin: Soft Finish: Medium - Long Alcohol: 15% Smooth, balanced, fun, great wine, really enjoyable, a shame it was my last bottle, as it is still developing. Will have to keep an eye out on the secondary market
3	Rusden Sandscrub Vintage: 2003 Region: Barossa Valley, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Colour: Deep garnet Nose: HUGE combination of black pepper, herbal, eucalyptus and spice Aromas Flavour: Full-Bodied black pepper, French oak, herb Tannin: Structured Finish: Long Alcohol: 15.5 Amazing wine. big and bold, continued to evolve in the glass. Definitely a wine that has a lot of life left in it. Only downside to this wine is its price, but when it is offered by a friend, thanks Robert, it would be rude to say no!
4	Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste Grand Cru Classe en 1855 Vintage: 1998 Region: Bordeaux, France Varietal: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot Colour: Garnet, dull Nose: Old leather, cigar and spice Flavour: French oak, cherry, cigar, quite complex Tannin: Structured Finish: Medium - long Alcohol: 13 The nose of this wine was reserved at first, it quickly opened up, great wine. Generously shared with us by our host Mr / Col Pang of New Ubin Seafood
5	Bass Phillip Crown Prince Vintage: 2012 Region: Gippsland, Australia Varietal: Pinot Noir Colour: Ruby, cloudy Nose: Spice, plum and cherries Flavour: Elegant combination of spice and cherries Tannin: Smooth Finish: Long Alcohol: 13.1 Enjoyable wine, good example of Victorian Pinot Noir
6	Chateau Le Bon Pasteur Vintage: 1999 Region: Pomeral, France Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot Colour: Deep ruby, still bright and youthful Nose: Pleasant combination of spice, stone fruit and cold tea Flavour: Spice and stoned fruit Tannin: Savoury Finish: Long Alcohol: 13.5 Another great wine, paired well with the Tapas, nice long and complex finish
7	Joan D'Anguera Finca L Argata Monstant Vintage: 2013 Region: Monstant, Spain Varietal: Grenache Colour: Bright ruby Nose: Black pepper and spice, very pleasant Flavour: Black pepper and spice Tannin: Smooth Finish: Medium - long Alcohol: 14 This wine has become a "go to" wine when at La Ventana in Singapore, I always enjoy Garnacha / Grenache, will look for more wines from Monstant
8	Vinyes Domènech Teixar, Garnatxa Vella Vintage: 2011 Region: Monstant, Spain Varietal: Grenache Colour: Bright, deep ruby Nose: A complex perfume of wild berries and spice Flavour: Balanced combination of wild berries, mint and spice Tannin: Smooth Finish: Medium - long Alcohol: 14.5 Really enjoyed this wine, "bigger" than the Finca, definitely a red meat wine.