Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

[Rory]

Madanie wrote:

2015 Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling.
Honestly my first crack at Riesling. Not sure where it sits quality-wise but I don't mind it at all

If you're going to start, that's a pretty good place!! Excellent quality.

[Ozzie W]

2016 Mac Forbes EB28 Showdown 1 Nebbiolo Pinot

An unconventional blend of Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir. 12.5% ABV.



Sweet rosehip and hibiscous tea, sour cherry, strawberry, savoury earth. Doesn't have the structure or seriousness of a great Nebbiolo or Pinot. Nevertheless, an easy drinking wine which doesn't require much contemplation.

[Madanie7]

Madanie wrote:

2015 Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling.
Honestly my first crack at Riesling. Not sure where it sits quality-wise but I don't mind it at all

If you're going to start, that's a pretty good place!! Excellent quality.

Great to hear

[mychurch]

Out to dinner last night and from the list I picked out 2009 Roma, Guerila, Slovenia which was a blend of 40% Ribolla, and 30% each of Pinela and Zelen, 2 grapes I had never heard of before. Really impressive. Slight yellow tinge to the colour, this had a lovely bitterness to the finish that went well with the food. Closed initially, it opened up with deep stone fruit, camomile and a touch of caramel. Really improved over the evening, with coconut and jasmin appearing. Doubt it needs any further time in the cellar, but while it was on the rich side, it was not remotely over the top. First ever quality wine from Slovenia, and on this showing I have a new land to explore. Approx $27 here retail and worth every cent

[Mike Hawkins]

2004 Taittinger Comtes BdB..... fantastic as ever. Consumed over 3 nights with no sign of oxidisation on day 3. Love this wine

1991 Penfolds St Henri.... a little bit disappointing. Medium to full body, with a velvety mouthfeel, but as with the last bottle of 1996, a little simple. Other bottles have been more exciting

1999 LEAS Chardonnay... In Great nick, but not going to get any better

1996 Tyrrells Vat 1.... pretty good but showing some tiredness

1999 Houghton's Jack Mann.... this wine hasn't kicked on like I thought it would. Very disappointing

2002 Paul Bara Millesime.... excellent champagne.... lots of strawberry and violet notes. Cost sub EUR20 at CD

[phillisc]

2000 Tollana EV Riesling...just the most gorgeous yellow with a hint of lemon pith and citrus.
A twinge of acid on the palate and just a tiny presence of kero...beautiful wine.
A $7:99 sticker on the bottle from Booze Brothers...think they may still be around.
Made by Neville Faulkenberg who really was a master...might have to dig out a TR 16 or 222 to see how the reds are doing.

Cheers
Craig

[Rossco]

1999 Houghton's Jack Mann.... this wine hasn't kicked on like I thought it would. Very disappointing

We had this at a recent offline, and our example was in amazing condition. Notes:

That Jack Mann.... no doubt that will outlast my lifetime. Stunning freshness, 18 year old but looked and
drank like a 5 year old. Pretty sure im still waiting for it to open up properly"

I really have to get a hold of a taittinger... constantly hear great things about their wines.

[JamieBahrain]

I dropped 24 bottles of Barolo off in my cellar in Adelaide at 5am and grabbed a handful of wines for a Melbourne dinner .

It's cold and I think Noons will do the job . Reserve Shiraz and Eclipse 2004.

[Mike Hawkins]

1999 Houghton's Jack Mann.... this wine hasn't kicked on like I thought it would. Very disappointing

We had this at a recent offline, and our example was in amazing condition. Notes:

That Jack Mann.... no doubt that will outlast my lifetime. Stunning freshness, 18 year old but looked and
drank like a 5 year old. Pretty sure im still waiting for it to open up properly"

I really have to get a hold of a taittinger... constantly hear great things about their wines.

I'm glad yours was good. Mine seemed disjointed and ripe... hope it was an anomaly as I bought a case.

As for Taittinger, their vintage release is ok. The Comtes, particularly the BDB are amazing Champagnes, and probably my death bed wine.... they age really well and drink fantastically at all stages of their lives.

The price in Oz is outrageous and McWilliams (importer) claim their wholesale price (ex tax) is higher than the retail price in most other markets. If you believe that, you'll believe anything

[conformistpete]

2012 Jim Barry Watervale Riesling - still young and fresh. Lots of lemon and steel though starting to broaden out on the palate. No Kero or other development. Will wait another 5 to check.

2016 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir - cherries and caramel on the nose which blew off. Very pale in colour. Fine tannins which seem to be more noticeable on day two. More suited for immediate drinking that the Chardonnay that I had last week that was quite closed apart from lemon and acid.

[Scotty vino]

2015 Ashton Hills Riesling.
A move away from the acidity and zesty characters I find quite appealing in the CV rizzas.
Quite soft in comparison, not quite as dry and had a flinty/stoney sort of character I can't really describe properly but enjoyed.
Everything just toned down a bit.

[Matt@5453]

A quick visit to Grosset today. One of my favourite producers and cellar doors (always great service). Below are a few impressions:

2017 Polish Hill – vibrant and fruit driven nose. The palate is classic Polish Hill; citrus, minerals and talc with a driving line of acidity which is tightly wound. A touch of lemon pith on the finish. An excellent and long lingering finish. Obviously very young, a great start to any tasting! Simply Superb.

2017 Springvale – beautiful nose once again. Bickfords lime cordial, a touch of slate with excellent acidity and length. Stunning. This wine feels ‘fuller’ in the mouth than the Polish Hill which feels lighter and more delicate. The length and balance is to be admired.

2017 Alea – very different to the other two, citrus notes, angling between lemon and lime with the faintest touch of residual sugar. Very Enjoyable but did not thrill me as much as the above two wines.

2016 Apiana – this wine has changed a lot in a year, a touch of struck match about it on the nose. The palate has a generous mouthfeel about it. Looking forward to the 2017 which is 100% Fiano.

2017 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc – probably the best version I have tried from Grosset. A touch tropical with some passionfruit kick. A good line of acidity keeps this in check. Would be great with some oysters.

2016 Chardonnay – they do such a good job with the oak, it is judiciously balanced with the fruit, light stone fruit with a nuttiness about it. A good wine with upside over the next 2-5 years

2016 Pinot Noir – red cherries and bright fruits . There is a subtle amount of tannin on the finish. A very enjoyable wine now, I feel it needs a couple of years in bottle. Very good.

2014 Gaia – blackberry, cassis and fine French oak. They believe it is lighter bodied than the 2013, but I think it’s a touch heavier. A gorgeous core of fruit, well balanced oak and tannin structure. It has an excellent finish with a touch of mouth puckering tannin. Drinking well now, but one to cellar with confidence

2015 Nereus – bright shiraz fruits and aromatics. 5% Nero gives is a touch of softness. Well defined with 24 months on oak. Very enjoyable.

Overall, it is very easy to get carried away buying up a lot of the above wines. The Polish Hill and Springvale are the stand outs for me.

[michel]

A quick visit to Grosset today. One of my favourite producers and cellar doors (always great service). Below are a few impressions:

2017 Polish Hill – vibrant and fruit driven nose. The palate is classic Polish Hill; citrus, minerals and talc with a driving line of acidity which is tightly wound. A touch of lemon pith on the finish. An excellent and long lingering finish. Obviously very young, a great start to any tasting! Simply Superb.

2017 Springvale – beautiful nose once again. Bickfords lime cordial, a touch of slate with excellent acidity and length. Stunning. This wine feels ‘fuller’ in the mouth than the Polish Hill which feels lighter and more delicate. The length and balance is to be admired.

2017 Alea – very different to the other two, citrus notes, angling between lemon and lime with the faintest touch of residual sugar. Very Enjoyable but did not thrill me as much as the above two wines.

2016 Apiana – this wine has changed a lot in a year, a touch of struck match about it on the nose. The palate has a generous mouthfeel about it. Looking forward to the 2017 which is 100% Fiano.

2017 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc – probably the best version I have tried from Grosset. A touch tropical with some passionfruit kick. A good line of acidity keeps this in check. Would be great with some oysters.

2016 Chardonnay – they do such a good job with the oak, it is judiciously balanced with the fruit, light stone fruit with a nuttiness about it. A good wine with upside over the next 2-5 years

2016 Pinot Noir – red cherries and bright fruits . There is a subtle amount of tannin on the finish. A very enjoyable wine now, I feel it needs a couple of years in bottle. Very good.

2014 Gaia – blackberry, cassis and fine French oak. They believe it is lighter bodied than the 2013, but I think it’s a touch heavier. A gorgeous core of fruit, well balanced oak and tannin structure. It has an excellent finish with a touch of mouth puckering tannin. Drinking well now, but one to cellar with confidence

2015 Nereus – bright shiraz fruits and aromatics. 5% Nero gives is a touch of softness. Well defined with 24 months on oak. Very enjoyable.

Overall, it is very easy to get carried away buying up a lot of the above wines. The Polish Hill and Springvale are the stand outs for me.

Really appreciate the notes
Just looking at my email offer
Well done

[Matt@5453]

A quick visit to Grosset today. One of my favourite producers and cellar doors (always great service). Below are a few impressions:

2017 Polish Hill – vibrant and fruit driven nose. The palate is classic Polish Hill; citrus, minerals and talc with a driving line of acidity which is tightly wound. A touch of lemon pith on the finish. An excellent and long lingering finish. Obviously very young, a great start to any tasting! Simply Superb.

2017 Springvale – beautiful nose once again. Bickfords lime cordial, a touch of slate with excellent acidity and length. Stunning. This wine feels ‘fuller’ in the mouth than the Polish Hill which feels lighter and more delicate. The length and balance is to be admired.

2017 Alea – very different to the other two, citrus notes, angling between lemon and lime with the faintest touch of residual sugar. Very Enjoyable but did not thrill me as much as the above two wines.

2016 Apiana – this wine has changed a lot in a year, a touch of struck match about it on the nose. The palate has a generous mouthfeel about it. Looking forward to the 2017 which is 100% Fiano.

2017 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc – probably the best version I have tried from Grosset. A touch tropical with some passionfruit kick. A good line of acidity keeps this in check. Would be great with some oysters.

2016 Chardonnay – they do such a good job with the oak, it is judiciously balanced with the fruit, light stone fruit with a nuttiness about it. A good wine with upside over the next 2-5 years

2016 Pinot Noir – red cherries and bright fruits . There is a subtle amount of tannin on the finish. A very enjoyable wine now, I feel it needs a couple of years in bottle. Very good.

2014 Gaia – blackberry, cassis and fine French oak. They believe it is lighter bodied than the 2013, but I think it’s a touch heavier. A gorgeous core of fruit, well balanced oak and tannin structure. It has an excellent finish with a touch of mouth puckering tannin. Drinking well now, but one to cellar with confidence

2015 Nereus – bright shiraz fruits and aromatics. 5% Nero gives is a touch of softness. Well defined with 24 months on oak. Very enjoyable.

Overall, it is very easy to get carried away buying up a lot of the above wines. The Polish Hill and Springvale are the stand outs for me.

Really appreciate the notes
Just looking at my email offer
Well done

Plenty of enjoyment to be had across the entire range. The mrs and I have worked our way through a sem sauv blanc tonight, a surprise packet for my tastes, really enjoyable.

[Rossco]

2013 Hoddles Creek Syberia Chardonnay
A heavier bottle than normal. Love the front label, and the back gives you nothing other than its by made the YV maestro Frank D'Anna (I am a very big fan of his work) ......guessing game here we come.
Still has a green tinge but its not pale, it looks the goods.

Nose has a wonderful Brine, oyster shell and flint/struck match. Immediate hit of oak... very high quality, and some citrus notes. Smells really powerful, ultra high quality chardonnay.

Palate is lean....very lean in fact. Clearly cooler climate fruit as its almost too thin. No buttery or oiliness at all, and its very delicate....i wonder what some/more malo would have done. The nose says power, yet the wine is very feminine. Quite the contrast. I wonder if its too closed and tight right now to really be appreciated. Really nice length though...very long.

Raw cashews without the oiliness and some slatey minerals. Still get that lemon & grapefruit, but ultimately the wine doesnt deliver what the nose promises.
I think this needs a lot of time to fill out. Its ok at the moment, and i really love the nose, but the mouthfeel and palate are a little dull right row. I have put my other two bottles down for a very long time. 2025+

[Phil H]

Thanks Rosco for the notes on the Syberia. I picked up a token bottle of the 2015 the other week, I had no idea what to expect, as there is very little independent info about it. Going on your notes I guess I will have to wait another 10 years.

[michel]

Thanks Rosco for the notes on the Syberia. I picked up a token bottle of the 2015 the other week, I had no idea what to expect, as there is very little independent info about it. Going on your notes I guess I will have to wait another 10 years.

Really engaged with the 2015
Had my two bottles already
I like acid and structure
Drink over the next few years for me

[michel]

2011 Vogue musigny
Powerful accessible & exceeded my expectations

2009 bruno clair CSJ very popular at the table
Bit lumpy for me but did improve with air

2002 piper heidseck rare tight powerful young
10 more years please

2004 ruinart blanc de blanc
One of my favorites ever
Expressive & blossomed with air

2003 eyquem
I would never have picked the year
Compelling
I loved it

2008 giacomo conterno montfortino
Like a knights move in a game of chess
It is beguiling & challenging & rewarding
Genius

[michel]

2009 puriri hills clevedon
Didn't get it last night
Today right banky clean earthiness
I really enjoyed this
Demands grass fed organic Taupo beef
No rush
39% merlot
35% cabernet
17% malbec
9% carmenere

[Con J]

Had the following a couple of weeks ago with one of my wine groups.

2004 – Jacquesson – Ay Verzelle Terme. 100% Pinot. Cooked apples and spice.
2007 – Guy Amiot – Le Montrachet. Lemons and vanilla.
2001 – Dujac – Clos st Denis. Earthy dark berries, cherries. In a great spot. My WOTN.
1990 – JL Chave – Hermitage. Too much bret to be enjoyable, but can see what it should be.
1995 – Chateau palmer. Powerful wine drinking well, will last a long time.
2001 – Gaja – Sori San Lorenzo. Young and too much oak at the moment, go back in about 10 years.
1988 – Chateau Coutet. Starting to dry out a bit but still very good.

Cheers Con.

[michel]

Had the following a couple of weeks ago with one of my wine groups.

2004 – Jacquesson – Ay Verzelle Terme. 100% Pinot. Cooked apples and spice.
2007 – Guy Amiot – Le Montrachet. Lemons and vanilla.
2001 – Dujac – Clos st Denis. Earthy dark berries, cherries. In a great spot. My WOTN.
1990 – JL Chave – Hermitage. Too much bret to be enjoyable, but can see what it should be.
1995 – Chateau palmer. Powerful wine drinking well, will last a long time.
2001 – Gaja – Sori San Lorenzo. Young and too much oak at the moment, go back in about 10 years.
1988 – Chateau Coutet. Starting to dry out a bit but still very good.

Cheers Con.

01 dujacs rock
I love the cdlr

[JamieBahrain]

So very cold in Australia coming from a hot tropical summer. I gave Noon a run.

Reserve Shiraz 2004- structured raspberry red fruits not bad.

Eclipse 2004- layered and complex. Very good.

Reserve Shiraz 2009- top notch.

Reserve Cabernet 2009- different strokes for different folks.

Eclipse 2010- Needed more air and will benefit a few years.

Eclipse 2011- Wow! Rhone like with pepper and low intensity. Liked as a change but drink up!

[Ian S]

2013 Ch Musar Rosé tonight, which makes their red and white seem utterly mainstream in comparison. Smoky nose, backed by tar/varnish, and that replicated on the palate, with some strawberry now coming through alongside the lemon/lychee. Unlike any wine I can recall tasting.

[Con J]

Had the following a couple of weeks ago with one of my wine groups.

2004 – Jacquesson – Ay Verzelle Terme. 100% Pinot. Cooked apples and spice.
2007 – Guy Amiot – Le Montrachet. Lemons and vanilla.
2001 – Dujac – Clos st Denis. Earthy dark berries, cherries. In a great spot. My WOTN.
1990 – JL Chave – Hermitage. Too much bret to be enjoyable, but can see what it should be.
1995 – Chateau palmer. Powerful wine drinking well, will last a long time.
2001 – Gaja – Sori San Lorenzo. Young and too much oak at the moment, go back in about 10 years.
1988 – Chateau Coutet. Starting to dry out a bit but still very good.

Cheers Con.

01 dujacs rock
I love the cdlr

I don't think I've had a bad Dujac.

Cheers Con.

[Con J]

Last Friday went to a friend’s birthday and he put on all the wines.
We had the following.

2002 Lanson – (I think it was the Noble Cuvee Brut).
2002 Pol Roger.
2007 Boxler – Sommerberg Riesling.
2007 Nigl – Privat Riesling.
2007 Huet – Le Mont Demi-sec.
2002 Guillon – Morey St Denis 1er La Riotte.
2002 Anderson – Sparkling Shiraz.
1992 Baileys – 1904 Block shiraz.
1992 Bests – Thomson Family Shiraz.
1990 Graiglee – Shiraz.
1984 ????? I think it was another Baileys.
2007 Emrich Schonleber – Monzinger Fruhligsplazchen Riesling Ausles.
2007 Zilliken – Saarburger Rausch Riesling Auslese.
1977 Taylor’s – Vintage Port.
1977 Chateau Reynella – Vintage Port.

Both Champagnes drinking well, the Nigl – Privat Riesling was my pick of the whites.
The Andersons and Craiglee were my wines of the night with the Bests not far behind.

Cheers Con.

[DaveS]

2013 Hoddles Creek Syberia Chardonnay
A heavier bottle than normal. Love the front label, and the back gives you nothing other than its by made the YV maestro Frank D'Anna (I am a very big fan of his work) ......guessing game here we come.
Still has a green tinge but its not pale, it looks the goods.

Nose has a wonderful Brine, oyster shell and flint/struck match. Immediate hit of oak... very high quality, and some citrus notes. Smells really powerful, ultra high quality chardonnay.

Palate is lean....very lean in fact. Clearly cooler climate fruit as its almost too thin. No buttery or oiliness at all, and its very delicate....i wonder what some/more malo would have done. The nose says power, yet the wine is very feminine. Quite the contrast. I wonder if its too closed and tight right now to really be appreciated. Really nice length though...very long.

Raw cashews without the oiliness and some slatey minerals. Still get that lemon & grapefruit, but ultimately the wine doesnt deliver what the nose promises.
I think this needs a lot of time to fill out. Its ok at the moment, and i really love the nose, but the mouthfeel and palate are a little dull right row. I have put my other two bottles down for a very long time. 2025+

Yes, my impressions of this wine also, which I had earlier in the year. I questioned whether it would improve at all.

[michel]

Had the following a couple of weeks ago with one of my wine groups.

2004 – Jacquesson – Ay Verzelle Terme. 100% Pinot. Cooked apples and spice.
2007 – Guy Amiot – Le Montrachet. Lemons and vanilla.
2001 – Dujac – Clos st Denis. Earthy dark berries, cherries. In a great spot. My WOTN.
1990 – JL Chave – Hermitage. Too much bret to be enjoyable, but can see what it should be.
1995 – Chateau palmer. Powerful wine drinking well, will last a long time.
2001 – Gaja – Sori San Lorenzo. Young and too much oak at the moment, go back in about 10 years.
1988 – Chateau Coutet. Starting to dry out a bit but still very good.

Cheers Con.

01 dujacs rock
I love the cdlr

I don't think I've had a bad Dujac.

Cheers Con.

Dujac are edgy
Some hate them
I have had some great ones
They really demand 10 years minimum to unravel ...

[Rossco]

Yes, my impressions of this wine also, which I had earlier in the year. I questioned whether it would improve at all.

Its a really good question as i was wondering the same thing.....only time will tell I guess.

[Dragzworthy]

[b] Il Borro Toscana 2007 IGT [/b]
All leather, cigar box tobacco goodness. This bad boy has hit its drinking window and followed from a Yeringberg 2001 without letting the side down. There's a decent amount of straw on the nose but the palate is earth rich and full of cherries. Bargain for the amount I'd paid not knowing much about the label at the time.

[Rossco]

2011 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay

Beautiful nose of flint/match and oak. Nothing on the palate though. Hello…. fruit…are you there? ….no reply.
Still very thin and acidic. Reminded me a lot of the 2013 syberia. Lemon zest absolutely there but not much else.
Not worth the $$. That nose though…mesmerising.
Still a no from me and not sure its going to get better