Hello, hello; its that time of the week again....

[TORB]

Hi Good Peoples,

It's time for your weekly drinking reports. Please feel free to post tasting notes, tasting vibes or just impressions. You are welcome to post them here or to start your own thread.

Lurkers or newbie posters especially welcome, give it a go, we don't bite.

I will post mine later, but as the weather was warming up last night I opened a bottle of 94 Leasingham Classic Clare Sparkling Shiraz. That wine just keeps getting better and better. I must resist opening them all as the wine should turn into something pretty special. No tasting notes, after a hard day at work I just sat back and enjoyed it.

Now what have you guys and girls been drinking?

[Ian S]

A very rare 2 bottle weekend
1st up was
1999 Masi Corbec (Argentina).
Made in an amarone style, by a company that knows amarone. Extracted & embellished notes from my previous post.
Maybe the oak is a little strong as it initially smells strongly of old wood & cigars (and I'm fairly tolerant to oak), but with good depth of fruit & supporting (but unobtrusive acidity). Definitely some mushrooms in the mix and long tannins that give it a very dry finish. Alcohol (14.5%) kept in check much better than a recent Tedeschi Amarone. Following day, possibly better & you just got the feeling this was vinfanticide as all elements seemed in balance even though it was still quite tight.

I think this wine was (like the cheaper Passo Doble) a trial bottling with it's handwritten styled label. Anyway, both are a success and worth looking out for if you want something outside (but not miles outside) the australian mainstream. Value is good (c £18, £10 for the Passo Doble), especially when compared to similar efforts from Veneto.

Tonight
1999 Bests FHT Shiraz (aka Bin 0)
Restrained, tight & still very youthful, this really still isn't giving up much. Very dark purple, red-purple at the rim - little sign of age. Very restrained, subtle but stylish nose of blackberries, black cherries & mocha-coffee. Blackcurrant joins in on the palate, but the fruit is very much in the background to the tannins and acid. As it stands, this is better with food, but what's in the background tastes very good, so I'm banking (or hoping) it will come through with some style later.
If you just have 1 or 2, then leave for a few years more before opening.

Ian

[Attila]

Only two wines this week from CRUICKSHANK in the Upper Hunter:

After the superb 2002 Pressings Cabernet Sauvignon, I eagerly awaited this 2003 Shiraz release. Should you not be familiar with this winery: Cruickshank Callatoota Estate was established in 1973 by John Cruicshank,in the Wybong Valley in the Upper Hunter. Winemaker is Laurie Nicholls. Ten hectares planted of which 7 hectares are Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 hectares are Shiraz and 1 hectare are Cabernet Franc. No white varieties planted at all.

2003 CRUICKSHANK Shiraz (Upper Hunter)

Colour very dark cherry red with a black centre and purple on the rim. Sweet stewed plums on the nose. After swirling it opens up, revealing dark berry fruits with plum and blackberry. Rising alcohol. Surprisingly lean palate with mouth watering acid and somewhat green characters. Sweet vanilla oak (that doesnÂ’t quite blend in as yet) on the finish and fine tannins. The sweet scented nose promises sweet rich fruit but that doesnÂ’t follow through. Desperately needs time to come together. Only recently released. I believe once this wine settles down, it will be much better. Cellar it for at least 3 years, will last for a decade after that. Cost AU $30 cellar door for a single bottle. Drink 2007-2013. Alcohol is at 14.5% vol.

2002 CRUICKSHANK Cabernet Shiraz (Upper Hunter)

Quite an experimental wine for the estate. Colour dark cherry red. Interesting nose of barnyard characters, Hunter trademark road tarmac and stewed vegetables. After swirling blackcurrant and blackberries emerge. Medium bodied, well balanced on the palate with pleasantly ripe cherry fruits and long acid on the finish. Fine tannins. This red is ready to drink and will last 3-5 more years. A nice bistro wine, slightly old fashioned in style. Cost AU $25 CD, alcohol is at 13% vol.


Cheers,
Attila

[andyc]

2000 Vincent Girardin Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot 1er cru
A lovely example : a nose of fresh butter, grapefruit with subtle, well integrated oak. The palate incredibly well focused with grapefruit, nougat and even a hint of honey. There was such a lot going on but in such a subtle framework, just superb. I don't drink much Chardonnay but if more was like this at all price points then it would be top of the list.

2000 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf Du Pape
This and the above thankfully drank courtesy of someone else. This wine was also incredibly complex - kirsch cherry, truffle, earth. Amazing length on the finish. I'd love to try this in another five years or so as it will only get better.

The next three wines drank at Akita Japanese restaurant - Nth Melbourne. Very good value.

2003 Henschke Green's Hill Riesling
I have had better examples of this wine as it seemed a bit too subdued and even broad. Just because a wine is screw capped doesn't mean there isn't bottle variation ??

2004 Tahbilk Marsanne
Plenty written about this. A great VFM wine

2003 Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir
A good value pinot in a rich style with no tendency towards dry red. The nose is all cherry with hints of forest floor. You can't ask for more than this for $20.

[Craig(NZ)]

1995 Henschke Keyneton

After having the cork crumble, the remaining bit not budging, and finally straining the bottle wasting half of it, this wine was actually very good. Lots of typical henschke soft layered red fruit. lovely complex wine and for a supposedly lesser vintage this really delivered!!

2005 Shingle Peak Sauvingnon Blanc

This is pretty slick and sexy sauvignon, well put together, good texture and classic flavours. Wouldnt be surrised to see it pick up a gold.

2003 Melness Pinot Noir Canturbury

A young wine but was drinking well. I really liked this wine, showed lovely red cherry fruit, nice definition and complexity. I actually enjoyed it a lot more than many big names ive tried recently

[Maximus]

2003 Melness Pinot Noir Canturbury

A young wine but was drinking well. I really liked this wine, showed lovely red cherry fruit, nice definition and complexity. I actually enjoyed it a lot more than many big names ive tried recently

Craig,

I have a couple of these on the rack at home. Fantastic value pinot made by the masters behind Pegasus Bay. I first tasted this at the Christchurch Wine Show back in February and it was the standout on the day for me. But no more about it, we musn't share the secret...

[SueNZ]

2005 Shingle Peak Sauvingnon Blanc

This is pretty slick and sexy sauvignon, well put together, good texture and classic flavours. Wouldnt be surrised to see it pick up a gold.

Hi Craig,
Where have you been? It already has a gold and trophy for Best Commercial White Wine at the New Zealand International Wine Show - click here for list.
Cheers,
Sue

[Red Bigot]

Two of each variety this week (just kidding)

Scarpantoni Block 3 Shiraz 1996 2nd last bottle and nicely judged, this has lost all it's chunkiness and no initial bottle stink on this one eother (some past bottles needed a bit of breathing), it's nice smooth, fleshy drinking nicely now, will hold a year or so but won't get better.

Wetherall Coonawarra Cabernet 1998 - now defunct, Patrick T now has the Coonawarra site, this wine showed good colour, nice bright blackberry fruit in a mid-weight package, some leafiness, but less than it had a couple of years ago, it's integrating nicely and will possibly improve for a year or two and hold for more. Good wine for a $18 purchase price 5 years ago, happy to have more in my cellar.

Blass Eden valley Shiraz 1996 I think this particular region-based label (without the "Wolf") only lasted a few years, but produced some stunning wines, including this one. My last bottle, I think luckily, as the once-stunning spicy Eden valley Shiraz fruit is starting to fade a little and the oak is now dominant, JO says 2004-2008, I think that's a few years too long based on this bottle, the previous one a couple of years ago was much better.

Brookland Valley cabernet Merlot 1997 BV make (or used to make) a great straight merlot too, this is a pretty classy wine, with classic green bean notes over blackberry fruit with musk and violet overtones from the merlot, classy fine tannin structure. One taster mentioned elderberry aromas, she's been growing elderberry to make wine, but the possums get to them first apparently. Don't know if it will get much better, it will certainly hold 2-3 years yet, the merlot perfume was very pronounced when pouring the second half bottle the next night.

[manning]

Well I'm still nervous about sharing my wealth of ignorance, but it was a good week.

Saltram No 1 Shiraz, 2002 - classic fat SA wine which will age well, but is sensational now. SWMBO and I are split as to which is better, this one (her choice) or the Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2002 (my choice). It's very close.

Braydun Hill - 03 Shiraz "Premium Hand-picked" - an intrguing wine which we both really enjoyed. Lighter and very fruity for a Barossa Shiraz, but with flavours that went on for a long time. Needs to breathe first.

Mamre Brook Shiraz 2003 - good value mid-week quaffer if you get it for $14/bottle, which we did. At the RRP of $24 you would want to think long and hard first, as there are much better ways to spend your money.

1995 Wendouree Cab Sauv.
Oh my.

[Red Bigot]

Well I'm still nervous about sharing my wealth of ignorance, but it was a good week.

Saltram No 1 Shiraz, 2002 - classic fat SA wine which will age well, but is sensational now. SWMBO and I are split as to which is better, this one (her choice) or the Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2002 (my choice). It's very close.

Buy them both, it's only money or better still, each buy your favourite, you have separate bank accounts, right?

Braydun Hill - 03 Shiraz "Premium Hand-picked" - an intrguing wine which we both really enjoyed. Lighter and very fruity for a Barossa Shiraz, but with flavours that went on for a long time. Needs to breathe first.

Braydun Hill Shiraz is actually from MclarenVale, nice wine, easy to drink now, I don't think it needs extensive cellaring.

1995 Wendouree Cab Sauv.
Oh my.

Hooked?

[manning]

Buy them both, it's only money or better still, each buy your favourite, you have separate bank accounts, right?

Indeed - have 14 bottles of the latter, and am awaiting next payday to acquire the former.

Braydun Hill - 03 Shiraz "Premium Hand-picked" ...a Barossa Shiraz...

Braydun Hill Shiraz is actually from Mclaren Vale, nice wine, easy to drink now, I don't think it needs extensive cellaring.

Mental note - read label before typing... thanks for the correction Yeah, it drinks very well now, and well worth the upper $20s price tag.

1995 Wendouree Cab Sauv.
Oh my.

Hooked?

Absolutely. This is a wine that you take your shoes off and kneel down in reverence before drinking... mmmmmm.....

Cheers M

[Gavin Trott]

Well I'm still nervous about sharing my wealth of ignorance, but it was a good week.

Saltram No 1 Shiraz, 2002 - classic fat SA wine which will age well, but is sensational now. SWMBO and I are split as to which is better, this one (her choice) or the Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2002 (my choice). It's very close.

Braydun Hill - 03 Shiraz "Premium Hand-picked" - an intrguing wine which we both really enjoyed. Lighter and very fruity for a Barossa Shiraz, but with flavours that went on for a long time. Needs to breathe first.

Mamre Brook Shiraz 2003 - good value mid-week quaffer if you get it for $14/bottle, which we did. At the RRP of $24 you would want to think long and hard first, as there are much better ways to spend your money.

1995 Wendouree Cab Sauv.
Oh my.

Hi Manning

Glad you enjoyed the Braydun, but its McLaren Vale, not Barossa Valley.

I think its very good indeed.

[Raymond W]

I am still trying to get over a cold, so no wines this weekend. The wines below were drunk in the last two weeks.

Yarra Ridge Pinot Noir 2003

It had the usual Pinot nose of cherries and some foresty smells. The palate was a bit of a let down with a hint of sour finish and some greenish fruit. Somehow this wine tasted better last year when I had two bottles.

Maximin Grunhauser Riesling Auslese 1997 (half-bottle)

Sweet apples and honey. Good mouthfeel and a moderately long finish. It is more complex than the Aussie Rieslings that I have had, eg. Peter Lehmann BV Riesling 2003 /2004, Howard Park Madfish Riesling 2003, Orlando St Helga 2002 etc. Perhaps this is what happens with an aged Riesling. There wasn't any of the kero / petrol smells with an aged German Rieslings. Still had ample acid.

Dr Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2003

Definitely a sweet Kabinett. Good nose. Tasted almost like the Auslese above, but it was lacking the acid backbone. I think this was a vintage where some fruits ripened very quickly during the hot summer, quicker than some winemakers had expected. I would give this a miss because it tasted more like sweet alcoholic grape juice rather than a well balanced Riesling.

Dujac Fils & Pere Chambolle-Musigny 2002

Somehow this was disappointing with sour cherries and a much shorter finish than a previous bottle in January. Bottle variation? The one in January was awesome for the price: one of the reasons that got me into Pinots.' I still have a few more bottles, so I can check to see if it is bottle variation.

[Andrew Jordan]

I will post mine later, but as the weather was warming up last night I opened a bottle of 94 Leasingham Classic Clare Sparkling Shiraz. That wine just keeps getting better and better. I must resist opening them all as the wine should turn into something pretty special. No tasting notes, after a hard day at work I just sat back and enjoyed it.

Ric,

Also enjoy this sparkler and have hid the rest of mine in the cellar so I will not drink them. Actually looking forward to when the 1996 is released.
I also have the 1994 Peter Lehmann Black Queen and the 1994 Seppelt Show which are both household favourites. Have any thoughts on which one you feel might win the race as the best sparkler in the long term??

Thanks

[bigkid]

Hi all.

Warrabilla 2004 Parolas Durif

Black purple in colour, the colour clings to the side of the glass. The nose is full of black berries and currants, there is a sense of alcohol, not surprising at 17.5%. The mouth feel was pure velvet – the tannins were soft, tingly on the sides of the tongue, adding a little zest to the huge fruit – again black berries and currants. Finish was sweet with a (very) little heat and sultanas that just hung around for 10 minutes. This will be the second time we have had this wine with Thai. Enjoyed the fruit/spice match. I do confess to feeling a little seedy the next day though. A couple of glasses of something else (Scarpantoni Shiraz) at a bar, followed by a bottle (shared with my wife) of the Durif is more alcohol than we are accustomed to. The extra couple of % seems to make a difference – haven’t noticed similar seediness with wines of 14-15%.

Kays Amery 2003 Shiraz

Deep ruby colour, huge mulberry nose, some dustiness, light pepper and eucalyptus. Sweet fore palate, red plums, aniseed, black pepper. Not a lot of acid or tannins – I suspect this is not one for long cellaring. Sweet but not jammy. Pleasant wine, perhaps a little one dimensional.

At the risk of re-igniting the discussion - I tried KMP/Mike’s suggestion of letting one bottle breath (in a decanter) for three hours and opened another 15 minutes before tasting. The decanted wine was sweeter and softer than the one that wasn’t decanted. Ann preferred it - she described it as a 'rounder' wine. The un-decanted wine had a little more edge to it, a little VA which, I thought, compensated for the lack of acid in the wine, providing better balance with the sweet fruit. I preferred it – it was a more complex experience. Not sure I would prefer something bigger like the Durif above in similar circumstances. These wines are under stelvin. The notes above are based on the decanted bottle.

Kays Amery 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon

Found this a better experience than the shiraz. More wood (oak) and greater complexity. Plums, mocha and chocolate with some subtle menthol - better balance in the tannin and oak treatment.

Regards,

Allan

[Davo]

1999 Bests FHT Shiraz (aka Bin 0)
Restrained, tight & still very youthful, this really still isn't giving up much. Very dark purple, red-purple at the rim - little sign of age. Very restrained, subtle but stylish nose of blackberries, black cherries & mocha-coffee. Blackcurrant joins in on the palate, but the fruit is very much in the background to the tannins and acid. As it stands, this is better with food, but what's in the background tastes very good, so I'm banking (or hoping) it will come through with some style later.
If you just have 1 or 2, then leave for a few years more before opening.

Ian

Ian, that is one of only 400 bottles made. I tasted this wine about a month ago and your tasting notes are far more generous than mine, possibly because I tasted it in direct comparison with 4 other wines (Huntington FB33, Saltram No 1, Happs 3 Hills, Orlando Lawsons). It was a step above the Lawsons due to its balance but both were very sudued in comparison to the other 3 and the fruit did not show through well at all.

All I got was a big hit of violets on the nose and on the palate, dominated by the spicey oak.

Mind you this was a particularly hard vintage for Bests with frost all but destroying the crop, hence the single barrel output from these old vines.

PS the FHT in the name is the initials of the winmakers late father, Fred Hammill Thomson.

[Sean]

deleted

[Guest]

Wetherall Coonawarra Cabernet 1998 - now defunct, Patrick T now has the Coonawarra site, this wine showed good colour, nice bright blackberry fruit in a mid-weight package, some leafiness, but less than it had a couple of years ago, it's integrating nicely and will possibly improve for a year or two and hold for more. Good wine for a $18 purchase price 5 years ago, happy to have more in my cellar.

Thanks Brian, I've got a full case of these, the best wine they ever made. Pity that shortly after this Wetherall's decided making and marketing and promoting and running a CD was too much like hard work, easier to just sell the grapes.

Patrick T only took over the cellar door building, not the vineyards, they have their own, the wines are very much at the low end of the Coonawarra scale.

[TORB]

I also have the 1994 Peter Lehmann Black Queen and the 1994 Seppelt Show which are both household favourites. Have any thoughts on which one you feel might win the race as the best sparkler in the long term??

AJ,

The 94 Seppelts Show should win in the long run.

[Andrew Jordan]

Had a self professed Grenache lover and his wife over for dinner Saturday night. Do not have too many GrenacheÂ’s in my collection but on saying that, I did manage to purchase a few bottles of the 2003 Kalleske Old Vine Grenache. I have had a previous barrel sample of this wine with Troy while visiting the winery a couple of years ago, but must admit, this is the first time I have tried it from the bottle.

The nose leapt out of the glass and consisted of raspberry and cherry bubblegum, but in a good way. Very dark colour, which was surprising, as upon initial opening, the cork was only lightly stained, not dark like some of the ball-tearing shirazÂ’s coming out of the Barossa these days. Smooth and soft on the palate but wasnÂ’t boringly so, as the wine had a complex character about it. Comments of butterscotch, licorice and spice came from the table but the wine definitely didnÂ’t have that sickly sweet aftertaste that is associated with some Grenache. In fact it went quite well with the meal which was surprising as it was roast chicken with all the trimmings. It had a long, porty finish which concluded with a hint of warmth, probably attributable to the high alcohol content of 15.5%. Wonderful wine and if all Grenache was like this, I could become a convert. Another fine wine from Troy Kalleske. Get some in your cellar if you havenÂ’t already.

[Big Dave]

Cape Grace Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003, Margaret River, WA.

Not decanted. Deep red at the centre to pale pink on the rim. Massive complex nose showing dark blackcurrant fruit intermingled with waves of dark chocolate, mint and coffee. Deep blackcurrant and blackberry fruits with hints of chocolate on the palate, with subtle oak and moderate but integrated tannins. Very well balanced. Very long, deep fruit-laden finish, with chocolate and mint rising further at the end - still tasting it after typing this note and I am the worst two finger typist you will come across!! Drinking well now but would go a few years of cellaring. With a little time (~20 mins), the chocolate became a little more prominent and the tannins a little finer and dustier. A powerful wine and its development will be interesting to see.

Cheers

Dave

[Ian S]

1999 Bests FHT Shiraz (aka Bin 0)
Restrained, tight & still very youthful, this really still isn't giving up much. Very dark purple, red-purple at the rim - little sign of age. Very restrained, subtle but stylish nose of blackberries, black cherries & mocha-coffee. Blackcurrant joins in on the palate, but the fruit is very much in the background to the tannins and acid. As it stands, this is better with food, but what's in the background tastes very good, so I'm banking (or hoping) it will come through with some style later.
If you just have 1 or 2, then leave for a few years more before opening.

Ian

Ian, that is one of only 400 bottles made. I tasted this wine about a month ago and your tasting notes are far more generous than mine, possibly because I tasted it in direct comparison with 4 other wines (Huntington FB33, Saltram No 1, Happs 3 Hills, Orlando Lawsons). It was a step above the Lawsons due to its balance but both were very sudued in comparison to the other 3 and the fruit did not show through well at all.

All I got was a big hit of violets on the nose and on the palate, dominated by the spicey oak.

Mind you this was a particularly hard vintage for Bests with frost all but destroying the crop, hence the single barrel output from these old vines.

PS the FHT in the name is the initials of the winmakers late father, Fred Hammill Thomson.

Davo - thanks for the info - I'd figured the T was for Thompson, but had no idea on the FH!
I knew it was limited, but 400 bottles That means I had 3% of production
I suspect my generosity is more related to tasting quite a few european wines where fruit is sometimes considered optional It's not unknown for Bordeaux wines to start like this - hence my (misplaced?) optimism.
Nice gold paper wrapper on the bottle though - classy.
regards
Ian

[Ian S]

Well I'm still nervous about sharing my wealth of ignorance

Don't worry - I'm positively philanthropic with mine
Ian

[Broughy]

98 Moss Wood Cabernet Well integrated but somewhat sweet cabernet for my tastes, still a lovely drink. In comparison to the 99 drunk last week it is not as intense and appears to be much more highly developed. Wonderful briary nose and palate quite long.

98 Zema Estate Cabernet Family Reserve A much drier wine than the Moss Wood. Wonderful cabernet characteristics and typical coonawarra elements, a very satisfying complex cab. Still has some way to go.

NV Pol Roger Lovely limey and complex fizz. Shows the real difference between Aus and French fizz. Highly refined, no bitternes or rough edges, seamless bead.

2002 Palandri Cabernet Merlot (magnums) Very drinkable but is a wine for the sweet tooths. In my view the sweetness puts the package out of balance. Not representative of variety or Margaret River region. Time my tell.

[Elvispga]

Interesting weekend;

2000 Ernie Els Stellenbosch 62% Cabernet, 25% Merlot, 4% Cab Franc, 4% Malbec and 5% Pertit Verdot. Had it with a butterflied leg of lamb. Thought it was ok but not great. A deep dark dense purple colour however it seemed closed on the nose. Perhaps it was a little early for this one to really show well.

2003 Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Sonoma This is a great Zinfandel. So easy to drink.

Leconfield NV Sparkling Shiraz Coonawarra Big Dirty nose which seemed very earthy. This was quite different on the palate with more of the traditional Shiraz characteristics. Enjoyable.

2003 Torbreck The Struie Barossa This was really good albeit still and infant.

2000 De Bortoli Noble One Marmalade Marmalade Marmalade. Beautiful.

Elvis

[Guest]

Hi all,

Took at bottle of a recent vintage extreme Barossa style shiraz (BIG, sweet in your face fruit and 15+% alcohol) to my folks in Sydney while there on business. Dad loves them big but couldn't get with the style. "An assault on the tastebuds" and "unbalanced" were the comments. As many of you know I can't get with the style and RP has a lot to answer for. Am forced to drink older Shiraz and current and old Cabernets and just hope the trend fades. From lean under ripe green wines of the ealy 80's to the current opposite trend I yearn for the wines somewhere in the middle.

Saturday night's wines with friends are a blur. 1996 Yalumba Black D was nice for starters but a bit cold for the shy fruit. A few good shiraz (no recall) and a great Yalumba 1980 Horsey VP and Hennesy VSOP Cognac to finish.

Friday's wine was the Leasingham Bastion 2002 Cab/Shiraz. Just lovely and a steal <$10. Better than the straight cabernet which is a surprise.

Chuck

[Chuck]

Oops. That was me!!!

Chuck

[Guest]

Hi Craig,
Where have you been? It already has a gold and trophy for Best Commercial White Wine at the New Zealand International Wine Show - click here for list.
Cheers,
Sue

Oh god we are getting worse than australia, too many shows to keep up with!! Nice to see their palate is as sharp as mine then hehe

I have a couple of these on the rack at home. Fantastic value pinot made by the masters behind Pegasus Bay. I first tasted this at the Christchurch Wine Show back in February and it was the standout on the day for me. But no more about it, we musn't share the secret...

Yeah twas a goodie alright. not often you get a pinot performing above expectations. most the time its the opposite

Also knocked off a 1993 Yalumba Signature last night. A chunky wine but so so interesting. Complex blackberry fruit, layered, powdery tannins. Really scrummy!! Piles of flavour, lovely balance, warmth and length. This is the reason you cellar wine. When me mate dave went back to the cheapie we started with he poured the rest of that down the sink!!

C.

[Wizz]

Hennesy VSOP Cognac to finish.

Chuck

I had one of these on the weekend as well, and a Courvoisier to follow. I'm not a cognac connoiseur, but both of these were good for VSOP.

Also had the 2004 Cigale GSM at dinner on Friday night. first glass was got spirity and jammy, yuck. The second was more fruti driven, inky black fruti concentrate, nicely judged oak, good drop.

Other wines TN'd separately,

AB

[Mal]

........but as the weather was warming up last night I opened a bottle of 94 Leasingham Classic Clare Sparkling Shiraz.

Torb,

Was wondering if you have tried the 95 of this at all?

Mal