These notes, which also appear in the Tastings section of the site, are grouped together here for easy reference.
Pfeiffer 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (4.5* $22.50 Wine Club $20.25) Deeply purple in the glass, varietal mint on the nose with blackberry and rounded tannins across the palate, this worked well with the steak and delivered something to savour after the meal was done. Nicely structured, very easy drinking and a definite reorder candidate.
Pfeiffer 2009 Carlyle Cabernet Merlot (3* $18.50) Purple red in the glass, rather subdued through the nose and fairly soft across the palate, while it was easy to drink I don't see a need for any more once the two bottles in the October C2 dozen are gone.
Pfeiffer 2011 Carlyle Chardonnay Marsanne (4* $16.50) The Marsanne comes pushing its way through the nose with definite elements of honeysuckle alongside melons and peaches. Pleasantly aromatic, and that impression follows through across the palate with citrusy young Chardonnay characters to produce a refreshing style for summer drinking. Summer in these parts tends to be the time for Rose and Riesling, but there may well be three or four of these lining up in the box with Mr Gamay.
Pfeiffer 2008 Carlyle Shiraz (4.5* n/a) Full-bodied style with berry fruit, spicy notes and luscious tannins. Winery currently has the '09 on offer, so presumably all gone. Pity.
Pfeiffer 2009 Carlyle Shiraz (4* presumably $18.50 C2 $16.65) I'm not sure why this found its way into the April C2 Dozen four months before it becomes available to the general public, but while it worked well and kept me going as I worked my way through a Fred Vargas novel after dinner I'd be more inclined to head for the Pfeiffer Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Deep red in the glass, spicy pepper on the nose and a long finish it's a hearty winter red, though it'll (hopefully) be well after winter has passed before ordering considerations kick in. A couple of bottles to pad out an order when the 2011 Gamay appears, perhaps? I'd still, subject to availability, be inclined in other directions.
Pfeiffer 2010 The Carson Gewurztraminer (4* $16.50 C2 $14.85) Mildly aromatic, musk and rose petals on the nose, there's a slight sweetness across the palate (approaching 7 g/L rather than the thirty you may find in the current wave of off dry Rieslings) and subdued varietal character in a wine that's worth considering, but what's going in the rest of the box is the key factor. Interesting drinking in the right setting without making a persuasive case for actual inclusion.
Pfeiffer 1999 Chardonnay (4.5* n/a) Eleven years is plenty of time to allow the elements to integrate, resulting in a full-bodied, soft and rounded style that’s interesting drinking. Members only Autumn 2010 C2 Club special, so not a reorder possibility.
Pfeiffer 2008 Chardonnay (4* $17) Pale straw in the glass, some varietal character on the nose and across the palate, and a touch of oak as well. Workman-like style that's pleasant enough drinking but wouldn't have prompted a reorder, and, in any case, the winery's sold out of this vintage. Maybe there are others out there who liked this more than I did.
Pfeiffer 2009 Chardonnay (4* $18.50 C2 $16.65) Straw green, nose noticeably subdued at first (note to self: don't taste straight out of the fridge) but across the palate worked rather nicely in the lighter tightly wound New Oz style and had me tossing up between ratings, but eventually rounded down rather than up. Already gone from the website (they're currently offering the '10) and given imminent orders I doubt I'll be looking in that direction in the near future.
Pfeiffer 2009 Ensemble Rose (4.5* $16/ C2 $14.40) Fresh light pink tannin-free style that Madam really liked and would be ideal summer drinking. There are an increasing number of them about. Probably go half and half with the 2010 Gamay when it comes out.
Pfeiffer 2010 Ensemble Rose (4* $16 C2 $14.40) Shiraz dominant (if you call 44% dominant) blend with a fair chunk of Merlot, 13% Gewurztraminer, a bit of Cabernet Franc and a dash of Tempranillo. One to avoid if you're looking for varietal character, but as a chilled summer drop this makes for refreshing berry laden drinking, with the requisite berry and watermelon characters through the nose and across the palate goes down a treat. With what we've got on hand there's no chance of a reorder, so pressed to choose between 4* and 4.5 I rounded down. Very good summer drinking.
Pfeiffer 2010 Gamay (4.5* $18/ C2 $16.20) Regulation cheery cherry red in the glass, whiff of berries on the nose and the usual fresh fruity style across the palate. They've done it again. Integral ingredient in the Little House of Concrete summer drinking strategy. Would be 5/5 if you rated it on latest expression of almost absolute reliability.
Pfeiffer 2009 Marsanne (4.5* $18.50) Pale straw green in the glass, stone fruits and citrus on the nose and a strong presence of honeysuckle across the palate and a crisp finish, this is a classy full bodied well weighted take on the variety and would handle a couple of years bottle age. Label me impressed, but there's the Tahbilk factor, so I'll probably be looking at other lines when it comes to filling a reorder.
Pfeiffer 2004 Merlot (4.5* $n/a) Medium bodied with floral notes on the nose and rounded earthy tannins across the palate there's plenty to savour here. I'd be inclined to grab an extra bottle or two if it was Gamay-ordering time which, unfortunately it isn't (yet). A lush mouth feel works well with a roast (beef in this case, though it'd go well with lamb) and there's a fair dash of leather and cigar box for after dinner.