Hi Good Peoples,
It's that time of the week again; time to tell us what you have been drinking. Tasting notes are welcome either in this thread or you can do them in your own thread; it's up to you.
Vibes and impressions are also welcome, so fire away and tell us what you have been consuming over the last week.
Its Sunday girls and boys - drinking reports now due
-
Andrew Jordan
- Posts: 775
- Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 11:53 am
- Location: Sydney
Had a few bottles with friends over dinner last night. No formal tasting notes but some impressions:
NV Balnaves Sparkling Cabernet (disgorged 2005)
Only one of handful of sparkling Cabernets around. Not as much fruit intensity as previous vintages. Not sweet like some of the sparkling shiraz's out there at the moment. Hasn't completely come together yet but still very enjoyable, with a medium/long finish. I felt it still has the potential to improve with some time.
1998 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet/Merlot
This is drinking very nicely at the moment. Very balanced with good fruit and oak handling. Tannins have softened considerably since the last bottle I had over 3 years ago. Still quite young, it just kept getting better as the night progressed. A big hit with the table and definitely one of the better wines I have had from Coonawarra in the last couple of months. Deserves every point of JO's 98 points awarded to this wine. Glad I have some more of these in the cellar.
2003 Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz
Tried this more out of curiousity than as a pairing with the food. After the wonderful 2002 bottling, this release definitely had some expectations. And personally I must admit it is a seriously good follow-up to the 2002. Spice and chocolate on the nose, the palate is packed with loads of caramel and coffee with hints of chocolate and black fruit. A little out of wack at the moment but understandably so due to it just being released. Has plenty of potential and will be interesting to see how it integrates in the next year or so.
1985 Langmeil Liquer Shiraz Tawny
Not as sweet as I remember at the winery but still very nice to finish the night with.
NV Balnaves Sparkling Cabernet (disgorged 2005)
Only one of handful of sparkling Cabernets around. Not as much fruit intensity as previous vintages. Not sweet like some of the sparkling shiraz's out there at the moment. Hasn't completely come together yet but still very enjoyable, with a medium/long finish. I felt it still has the potential to improve with some time.
1998 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet/Merlot
This is drinking very nicely at the moment. Very balanced with good fruit and oak handling. Tannins have softened considerably since the last bottle I had over 3 years ago. Still quite young, it just kept getting better as the night progressed. A big hit with the table and definitely one of the better wines I have had from Coonawarra in the last couple of months. Deserves every point of JO's 98 points awarded to this wine. Glad I have some more of these in the cellar.
2003 Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz
Tried this more out of curiousity than as a pairing with the food. After the wonderful 2002 bottling, this release definitely had some expectations. And personally I must admit it is a seriously good follow-up to the 2002. Spice and chocolate on the nose, the palate is packed with loads of caramel and coffee with hints of chocolate and black fruit. A little out of wack at the moment but understandably so due to it just being released. Has plenty of potential and will be interesting to see how it integrates in the next year or so.
1985 Langmeil Liquer Shiraz Tawny
Not as sweet as I remember at the winery but still very nice to finish the night with.
Cheers
AJ
Cabernet is ... and will always be ... KING!
AJ
Cabernet is ... and will always be ... KING!
Salitage Treehouse Shiraz 2001 $20 rrp
Purple - red in colour with cassis and some spice on the nose tanins quite powdery the acid was a little unbalanced and gave this wine quite a fleshy feel. Some fruit and a small amount of oak on the palate. Don't think this one will keep that long although this is not a problem for me as this was a single bottle from a tasting case. Rated as agreeable with ** at the $20 price tag.
Glen
Purple - red in colour with cassis and some spice on the nose tanins quite powdery the acid was a little unbalanced and gave this wine quite a fleshy feel. Some fruit and a small amount of oak on the palate. Don't think this one will keep that long although this is not a problem for me as this was a single bottle from a tasting case. Rated as agreeable with ** at the $20 price tag.
Glen
Winner of the inaugural RB cork-count competition
Runner up RB-NTDIR competition
Runner up TORB TN competition
Leave of absence second RB c-c competition
Runner up RB-NTDIR competition
Runner up TORB TN competition
Leave of absence second RB c-c competition
sorry, no wine this week only beer.
Pure Blonde - a low carb beer aimed at "health conscious individuals" and diabetics...or is that diabetics first and then "health conscious individuals?"
Taste? Usually I'm rather sceptical of any beers that aren't "real beers" - does this make me a beer bigot ???
I was pleasantly surprised to find that Pure Blonde tastes similar to normal alcohol level beers + there are less carbs to boot.
Please note that I have posted this because I am a diabetic and was surprised to learn that Pure Blonde has a carb content of 0.9g/100ml compared to my favourite "real beers" below:
* Carlton Draught 3.2g/100ml
* Crown Larger 3.1g/100ml
* Beez Neez 3.2g/100ml
* Cascade Premium 3.1g/100ml
Now I can drink beer with less guilt and avoid the concerned looks from family and friends of "impending diabetic fit"
Pure Blonde - a low carb beer aimed at "health conscious individuals" and diabetics...or is that diabetics first and then "health conscious individuals?"
Taste? Usually I'm rather sceptical of any beers that aren't "real beers" - does this make me a beer bigot ???
I was pleasantly surprised to find that Pure Blonde tastes similar to normal alcohol level beers + there are less carbs to boot.
Please note that I have posted this because I am a diabetic and was surprised to learn that Pure Blonde has a carb content of 0.9g/100ml compared to my favourite "real beers" below:
* Carlton Draught 3.2g/100ml
* Crown Larger 3.1g/100ml
* Beez Neez 3.2g/100ml
* Cascade Premium 3.1g/100ml
Now I can drink beer with less guilt and avoid the concerned looks from family and friends of "impending diabetic fit"
A brief opportunity to post some notes between the carnage sessions at Bathurst:
2003 Schild Estate Ben Schild Reserve Shiraz: Inky purple/red. Sweet whiffs of coconut, chocolate, lifted violets, a lick of apricot, dusty blackberries and creamy vanilla/bisque, getting slightly porty with breathing. The palate opens with ripe fruit and dusty/toast oak, followed by rich chocolate/smoky bacon, black olives and a touch of pepper, finishing soft, long and smoky. A quite excessive/extracted style, a bit like a Barossa trying to be McLaren Vale with earthy/porty/licorice characters, but still hides its 15% alcohol pretty well at the moment.
2004 Brian Barry Jud's Hill 60th Anniversary Riesling: Extremely pale green/straw. Classic, complex scents of lemon blossom, lime, fennel, mineral and waxy lemons, all taking turns front of stage at various times. The tight structure is clearly evident on the palate entry, leading to a fierce battle mid-palate with mineral/spritzy citrus fruit, somehow resolving into a harmonious, complex finish of sweet lime/blossom and mineral. Just a touch disjointed at times, but it’s remarkable the way it pulls itself together by the finish. 2004 wasn’t a great vintage for Clare Rieslings with a couple of notable exceptions, this being a big one.
2002 Mitchell Clare Valley Semillon: Light straw/green. Quite yeasty characters and lime/grapefruit at first, then developing bretty dead mouse characters and some petrol with breathing. The palate opens with spicy/spritzy grapefruit and fresh lemon/lime meshed with that hint of feral yeast and slightly nutty oak, finishing quite tingly - that 13.5% alcohol seems to be standing out more with bottle age. This one’s always a challenging style.
Cheers,
Ian
2003 Schild Estate Ben Schild Reserve Shiraz: Inky purple/red. Sweet whiffs of coconut, chocolate, lifted violets, a lick of apricot, dusty blackberries and creamy vanilla/bisque, getting slightly porty with breathing. The palate opens with ripe fruit and dusty/toast oak, followed by rich chocolate/smoky bacon, black olives and a touch of pepper, finishing soft, long and smoky. A quite excessive/extracted style, a bit like a Barossa trying to be McLaren Vale with earthy/porty/licorice characters, but still hides its 15% alcohol pretty well at the moment.
2004 Brian Barry Jud's Hill 60th Anniversary Riesling: Extremely pale green/straw. Classic, complex scents of lemon blossom, lime, fennel, mineral and waxy lemons, all taking turns front of stage at various times. The tight structure is clearly evident on the palate entry, leading to a fierce battle mid-palate with mineral/spritzy citrus fruit, somehow resolving into a harmonious, complex finish of sweet lime/blossom and mineral. Just a touch disjointed at times, but it’s remarkable the way it pulls itself together by the finish. 2004 wasn’t a great vintage for Clare Rieslings with a couple of notable exceptions, this being a big one.
2002 Mitchell Clare Valley Semillon: Light straw/green. Quite yeasty characters and lime/grapefruit at first, then developing bretty dead mouse characters and some petrol with breathing. The palate opens with spicy/spritzy grapefruit and fresh lemon/lime meshed with that hint of feral yeast and slightly nutty oak, finishing quite tingly - that 13.5% alcohol seems to be standing out more with bottle age. This one’s always a challenging style.
Cheers,
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
Wines drank over the last week.
Michel Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits 2002
Medium-red. Cherries, mushrooms, ferns and a hint of oak on the nose. It is reflected in the palate, but the cherry flavour was just a tad sour. This is decent entry-level Pinot for the price (1,980yen / A$23). Drink now.
Cullen Sauvginon Blanc Semillon 2002
Cut grass, hints of melon and asparagus on the nose. I thought I could also smell some celery. Crisp. It is a more restrainted Sauv Blanc than some of the Kiwi ones in terms of the fruitiness. Nice mouthfeel as part of it got some oak treatment for 5 months. Nice, but not over-the-top tangy finish. Can't quite remember the price, but I think I picked it up for around 3,000 yen (A$34) here in Japan
Staatlicher Hofkeller Wurzburg 2003 Franconia
Dark straw. Floral and fruity nose dominated by some pear aromas. The pear aromas is reflected in the palate. Definitely off-dry, maybe even medium-sweet for some. Balanced acid. This wine is a blend of Kerner, Muller-Thurgau and Scheurebe. The wine went well with some Chinese stir fry. (1,900 yen / A$22)
I bought the 2003 Franconia because the wines are stored in the cellars of the Wurzburg Residence which I visited over the summer with a friend. The building is pretty amazing and worth a visit if you are starting on a trip down the Romantic Road in Bavaria.
I bought two bottles, and will be sending the other one to my friend. I thought I should taste the wine first before sending it.
It is finally cooling down here in Japan, so maybe it is time to drink more reds.
Michel Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits 2002
Medium-red. Cherries, mushrooms, ferns and a hint of oak on the nose. It is reflected in the palate, but the cherry flavour was just a tad sour. This is decent entry-level Pinot for the price (1,980yen / A$23). Drink now.
Cullen Sauvginon Blanc Semillon 2002
Cut grass, hints of melon and asparagus on the nose. I thought I could also smell some celery. Crisp. It is a more restrainted Sauv Blanc than some of the Kiwi ones in terms of the fruitiness. Nice mouthfeel as part of it got some oak treatment for 5 months. Nice, but not over-the-top tangy finish. Can't quite remember the price, but I think I picked it up for around 3,000 yen (A$34) here in Japan
Staatlicher Hofkeller Wurzburg 2003 Franconia
Dark straw. Floral and fruity nose dominated by some pear aromas. The pear aromas is reflected in the palate. Definitely off-dry, maybe even medium-sweet for some. Balanced acid. This wine is a blend of Kerner, Muller-Thurgau and Scheurebe. The wine went well with some Chinese stir fry. (1,900 yen / A$22)
I bought the 2003 Franconia because the wines are stored in the cellars of the Wurzburg Residence which I visited over the summer with a friend. The building is pretty amazing and worth a visit if you are starting on a trip down the Romantic Road in Bavaria.
I bought two bottles, and will be sending the other one to my friend. I thought I should taste the wine first before sending it.
It is finally cooling down here in Japan, so maybe it is time to drink more reds.
A friend's mother had a bunch of wine she wanted gotten rid of. I was happy to help... but most ended up down the sink.
1967 Stonyfell Vintage Port. Still quite drinkable.
1975 Bassett's Claret. Undrinkable.
1979 Chateau Reynella Vintage Port. Drinkable.
1980 Primo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Undrinkable.
1981 Tollana Bin TR16 Shiraz Cabernet. Undrinkable.
1983 Woodstock Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinable, but past it.
1983 Rothbury Estate Hunter Valley Small Wood Hermitage. Undrinkable.
We didn't really take notes, and an '02 Knappstein Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was used as a backup.
1967 Stonyfell Vintage Port. Still quite drinkable.
1975 Bassett's Claret. Undrinkable.
1979 Chateau Reynella Vintage Port. Drinkable.
1980 Primo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Undrinkable.
1981 Tollana Bin TR16 Shiraz Cabernet. Undrinkable.
1983 Woodstock Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinable, but past it.
1983 Rothbury Estate Hunter Valley Small Wood Hermitage. Undrinkable.
We didn't really take notes, and an '02 Knappstein Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was used as a backup.
Mandalay Estate Zinfandel 2004
Nothing but hotness when first opened. Put the cork back in it and tried it the following day and it started coming together. Nice ripe jammy and raisin nose, nie mouthfeel but still a little light on flavour with little of the ripeness shining through. However, this is still very young and I reckon it will improve with subsequent vintages.
d'Arenberg Feral Fox Pinot Noir 2004
Showing this wine to a non-pinot drinker as an example of the variety would simply be bad form. The nose has varietal elements of mushrooms and raspberries but it's still more fruit than funk. In the mouth, very big fruit and considerable tannin - think pinot on steroids. Like I said, not a great varietal example but I loved it. Went down a treat with roast duck and chinese barbecued pork.
And tasting a whole load of different rieslings tonight as well... will post TN on those a little later in the week if I can find time!
Nothing but hotness when first opened. Put the cork back in it and tried it the following day and it started coming together. Nice ripe jammy and raisin nose, nie mouthfeel but still a little light on flavour with little of the ripeness shining through. However, this is still very young and I reckon it will improve with subsequent vintages.
d'Arenberg Feral Fox Pinot Noir 2004
Showing this wine to a non-pinot drinker as an example of the variety would simply be bad form. The nose has varietal elements of mushrooms and raspberries but it's still more fruit than funk. In the mouth, very big fruit and considerable tannin - think pinot on steroids. Like I said, not a great varietal example but I loved it. Went down a treat with roast duck and chinese barbecued pork.
And tasting a whole load of different rieslings tonight as well... will post TN on those a little later in the week if I can find time!
www.yum.org.au
food, drink and life in western australia
food, drink and life in western australia
Impresions at best here - being very social over dinner;
nv Gauthier Champagne
some authentic champagne autolysis, a little cheesiness, slightly dirty. Good fine bead, moderate length finish
1993 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet (Coonawarra)
1st bottle corked. Grrrr. 2nd (& my last) was dark red still. The overwhelming aromas are of oak. I reckon the 93 Black label is past it's best - this wine taste to me like the raw materials were never quite up to the task. Some generously upholstered cabernet notes, but really it's a nose of softly developing oak that is the main flavour component. Something of a mid-palate hole, and a quite astringent finish - the tannins lack the complexity for a really rewarding experience. At current auction prices ($40-ish?) this is a fair buy. At the $50-odd I paid about 8 years ago, it wasn't!
1999 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot
Hot on the heels of this wine's downgrade (to a '2') in Jeremy Oliver's 2006 guide, I thought this worth opening to compare to the JR. Lighter in colour, full red, the nose was much lighter and more restrained. Slightly leafy fruit, it's quite correct in aromas - blackcurrant, cassis, etc. Nicely balanced across the palate, it just seems to lack an excitement factor (or possibly complexity factor) to turn it into a really memorable experience. Still pretty good, though, but better drunk 3 years ago or in another 5...
1999 J Vidal Fleury Muscat de Baume de Venise
Heady with spirit, aromas of roses & pot-pourri blast from the glass. The texture is warm and oily, although there is enough acid to keep it freshly cut. A pleasant-enough alternative to local sticky botrytis wines, and went much better with home-made blueberry chessecake than they would.
cheers,
Graeme
nv Gauthier Champagne
some authentic champagne autolysis, a little cheesiness, slightly dirty. Good fine bead, moderate length finish
1993 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet (Coonawarra)
1st bottle corked. Grrrr. 2nd (& my last) was dark red still. The overwhelming aromas are of oak. I reckon the 93 Black label is past it's best - this wine taste to me like the raw materials were never quite up to the task. Some generously upholstered cabernet notes, but really it's a nose of softly developing oak that is the main flavour component. Something of a mid-palate hole, and a quite astringent finish - the tannins lack the complexity for a really rewarding experience. At current auction prices ($40-ish?) this is a fair buy. At the $50-odd I paid about 8 years ago, it wasn't!
1999 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot
Hot on the heels of this wine's downgrade (to a '2') in Jeremy Oliver's 2006 guide, I thought this worth opening to compare to the JR. Lighter in colour, full red, the nose was much lighter and more restrained. Slightly leafy fruit, it's quite correct in aromas - blackcurrant, cassis, etc. Nicely balanced across the palate, it just seems to lack an excitement factor (or possibly complexity factor) to turn it into a really memorable experience. Still pretty good, though, but better drunk 3 years ago or in another 5...
1999 J Vidal Fleury Muscat de Baume de Venise
Heady with spirit, aromas of roses & pot-pourri blast from the glass. The texture is warm and oily, although there is enough acid to keep it freshly cut. A pleasant-enough alternative to local sticky botrytis wines, and went much better with home-made blueberry chessecake than they would.
cheers,
Graeme
GraemeG wrote:1999 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot
Hot on the heels of this wine's downgrade (to a '2') in Jeremy Oliver's 2006 guide, I thought this worth opening to compare to the JR. Lighter in colour, full red, the nose was much lighter and more restrained. Slightly leafy fruit, it's quite correct in aromas - blackcurrant, cassis, etc. Nicely balanced across the palate, it just seems to lack an excitement factor (or possibly complexity factor) to turn it into a really memorable experience. Still pretty good, though, but better drunk 3 years ago or in another 5...
[b]1999 J Vidal Graeme
Is this out in shops now?
- its been ages since you have piped up.
Hi all,
A quiet week leaving the good stuff alone.
2001 Brands of Coonawarra Cabernet. Pretty thin on opening but 2 hours of breathing later filled out and really nice with roast chicken and all the trimmings. A good example of Coonwarra fruit showing how a medium weight cabernet can compliment chook.
2004 McWilliam's Hanwood Chardonnay. A friend introduced us this well made wine. Admittedly not from a premium district but good fruit and boxing well above its weight @ $8.00 on special. Good quaffer.
2002 Jamieson's Run Coonawarra Cabernet. A bit green and lacking character from a cool/cold year.
2002 Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz. Just lovely; not too jammy or sweet, not in-your-face. Good QPR
Chuck
A quiet week leaving the good stuff alone.
2001 Brands of Coonawarra Cabernet. Pretty thin on opening but 2 hours of breathing later filled out and really nice with roast chicken and all the trimmings. A good example of Coonwarra fruit showing how a medium weight cabernet can compliment chook.
2004 McWilliam's Hanwood Chardonnay. A friend introduced us this well made wine. Admittedly not from a premium district but good fruit and boxing well above its weight @ $8.00 on special. Good quaffer.
2002 Jamieson's Run Coonawarra Cabernet. A bit green and lacking character from a cool/cold year.
2002 Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz. Just lovely; not too jammy or sweet, not in-your-face. Good QPR
Chuck
platinum wrote:GraemeG wrote:1999 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot
Hot on the heels of this wine's downgrade (to a '2') in Jeremy Oliver's 2006 guide, I thought this worth opening to compare to the JR. Lighter in colour, full red, the nose was much lighter and more restrained. Slightly leafy fruit, it's quite correct in aromas - blackcurrant, cassis, etc. Nicely balanced across the palate, it just seems to lack an excitement factor (or possibly complexity factor) to turn it into a really memorable experience. Still pretty good, though, but better drunk 3 years ago or in another 5...
[b]1999 J Vidal Graeme
Is this out in shops now?
Up to the 2002 now I think,
Hamburger night in our household = we need a red wine for the beef mince!
Hewitson L'Oizeau Shiraz 2001 (McLaren Vale)
Perfect for beef burgers - medium bodied wine with just the right amount of spice. Goes well with Fountain BBQ sauce, juicey ripe tomatoes, cucumber, iceberg lettuce and beetroot. It would be an understatement to say that Hewitson Wines are loved in this household.
Vickie
Hewitson L'Oizeau Shiraz 2001 (McLaren Vale)
Perfect for beef burgers - medium bodied wine with just the right amount of spice. Goes well with Fountain BBQ sauce, juicey ripe tomatoes, cucumber, iceberg lettuce and beetroot. It would be an understatement to say that Hewitson Wines are loved in this household.
Vickie
Wizz wrote:platinum wrote:GraemeG wrote:1999 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot
Hot on the heels of this wine's downgrade (to a '2') in Jeremy Oliver's 2006 guide, I thought this worth opening to compare to the JR. Lighter in colour, full red, the nose was much lighter and more restrained. Slightly leafy fruit, it's quite correct in aromas - blackcurrant, cassis, etc. Nicely balanced across the palate, it just seems to lack an excitement factor (or possibly complexity factor) to turn it into a really memorable experience. Still pretty good, though, but better drunk 3 years ago or in another 5...
[b]1999 J Vidal Graeme
Is this out in shops now?
Up to the 2002 now I think,
I am not that naive
The 2006 Wine Annual-
Daryl Douglas
- Posts: 1361
- Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 7:23 pm
- Location: Nth Qld
Not much of note. Heartland Shiraz and Cab 04, the shiraz with plums/chocolate and the cab with blackberry, both with dusty tannins and lively acid, the cab's tannins finer. And a botle of Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz 03 - a wine to avoid.
For the non-bigots, had a couple of bottles of Houghton ssb 05. The 04 won some awards in Perth and I really enjoyed it so thought I give the 05 a swirl. If Houghton can maintain the ssb in this style as consistently as they do the White Burg (about time for a name change but the burg's a real fruit salad of a wine) I'll be a regular buyer of their ssb, especially @ $8.95/btl. The 05's very much as I remember the 04, pale straw, very c-thru, tropical and citrus fruits on the nose, the sb fills the mouth with melon and passionfruit before a seamless transition on the palate to citrussy acid that provides a lively, drying finish. A very good wine in these tropical climes where the max temp is already hitting 30C+.
Cheers all
daz
For the non-bigots, had a couple of bottles of Houghton ssb 05. The 04 won some awards in Perth and I really enjoyed it so thought I give the 05 a swirl. If Houghton can maintain the ssb in this style as consistently as they do the White Burg (about time for a name change but the burg's a real fruit salad of a wine) I'll be a regular buyer of their ssb, especially @ $8.95/btl. The 05's very much as I remember the 04, pale straw, very c-thru, tropical and citrus fruits on the nose, the sb fills the mouth with melon and passionfruit before a seamless transition on the palate to citrussy acid that provides a lively, drying finish. A very good wine in these tropical climes where the max temp is already hitting 30C+.
Cheers all
daz
Ian S wrote: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
Follow up tasting note 1 week later
Bottle A: Decanted into a half bottle, leaving about half an inch short of the cork. Decanted out into a riedel (look it was going cheap ok
) carafe about an hour before drinking.
Bottle B: About a glass full of dregs, partially vacuvin'd left in the original bottle
Bottle B was much more developed on the palate, well actually relatively oxidised really, though even in this, you could see the fruit had partially slipped it's bonds. Apart from the oxidation, the balance was good, but still with some restraint. Able to polish off a small glass.
Bottle A: Still dark purple, with lighter purple, maybe ruby coming through at the rim. Not a lot of change.
Still quite an austere nose, but blackcurrant/blackberry fruit and maybe a touch of coffee (I do wonder at this point whether the wine has changed fruit profile that much, or just my palate is just variable - I think it's probably more of the latter).
Tasting it initially suggests more cabernet than Shiraz, with Blackcurrant and maybe mint, but there's something on the back palate (that I can't place at the moment, that rings the Shiraz bells). Tannins are a lot softer and maybe so is the acid (I'm less sure of this), but there's more in the way of complexity, as the gentle but lingering finish moves through juicy acidity, past a slightly peppery dryness , leaving just a faint hint of bitterness (the way a good espresso does).
Any change of mind?
Well I'm leaving at least another couple of years before the next bottle. That bottle A survived so well gives me a little more confidence. I can't believe it will ever be a blockbuster, but I'm looking forward to the next bottle to see how it does travel. Certainly enjoyed Bottle A, so I don't think I'm unhappy with it.
____________________________
Also some 1999 Yarra Yering Potsorts, which whilst not identical to young (Oporto) Port, is a reasonable Australian spin on the style, with quite some potential for further ageing.
Ian
Grant Burge Meshach 1991
Nice - tannin almost all gone. Bought from a private collector who emptied most of his cellar. I was expecting more but not unhappy with the wine.
ThornClarke Sandpiper Merlot 2004
This is in quite short supply up in Qld but you southerners may still get some. Apparently from young vines in a location that was recommended by Jim Irvine to grow Merlot. Just his involvement in selecting the site would gain my interest.
For a merlot under $15 it certainly over delivers.
Heard over the weekend that the ThornClarke Shotfire Quartage 04, picked up 4 trophies plus Wine of the Royal Adelaide Wine Show last week. I loved the 02 Shotfire shiraz and was v keen on the Quartage so the 04 Shotfire label may be a must have. Anyone had a chance to try them yet?
Graham
Nice - tannin almost all gone. Bought from a private collector who emptied most of his cellar. I was expecting more but not unhappy with the wine.
ThornClarke Sandpiper Merlot 2004
This is in quite short supply up in Qld but you southerners may still get some. Apparently from young vines in a location that was recommended by Jim Irvine to grow Merlot. Just his involvement in selecting the site would gain my interest.
For a merlot under $15 it certainly over delivers.
Heard over the weekend that the ThornClarke Shotfire Quartage 04, picked up 4 trophies plus Wine of the Royal Adelaide Wine Show last week. I loved the 02 Shotfire shiraz and was v keen on the Quartage so the 04 Shotfire label may be a must have. Anyone had a chance to try them yet?
Graham
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted
1999 Tahbilk Marsanne - a great drop. lovely smooth flavour of honey and stone fruits, great length and balance. What a great value wine. Highly Rec.
2002 Annies Lane Clare Valley Cab/Merlot - like most CV reds for me, not that enjoyable when young. Opened up a bit & some of the sharp edges rounded after an hour or two. Agreeable.
Cheers,
Parb.
2002 Annies Lane Clare Valley Cab/Merlot - like most CV reds for me, not that enjoyable when young. Opened up a bit & some of the sharp edges rounded after an hour or two. Agreeable.
Cheers,
Parb.
Actually went to the royal adelaide wine show on Friday, was there through all three sessions (Exhibitors, VIP and Public) but touched nary a drop, I was a good boy.. too busy handing out leaflets to my wine auction all day and didn't want to give the wrong impression by dribbling down my shirt front
Cheers
-Mark Wickman
WICKMAN'S FINE WINE AUCTIONS
FREE membership, LOWEST auction commissions in Australia.
Now accepting wine for our next auction.
http://www.wickman.net.au
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-Mark Wickman
WICKMAN'S FINE WINE AUCTIONS
FREE membership, LOWEST auction commissions in Australia.
Now accepting wine for our next auction.
http://www.wickman.net.au
Twitter: @WickWine
YouTube: WickWineAuction
1998 St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz
1998 St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz
Decanted for about an hour. Deep red with no bricking. Ripe blackberry, cassis and oak on nose. Palate matches nose - rich, full flavoured mostly blackberry. Still mostly primary fuit flavours with a little bit of development showing through. A very nice wine but not much wow factor.
I think this will gain complexity with a bit more time. I'll try the next one in a couple of years.
Cheers,
KeithT
Decanted for about an hour. Deep red with no bricking. Ripe blackberry, cassis and oak on nose. Palate matches nose - rich, full flavoured mostly blackberry. Still mostly primary fuit flavours with a little bit of development showing through. A very nice wine but not much wow factor.
I think this will gain complexity with a bit more time. I'll try the next one in a couple of years.
Cheers,
KeithT
TORB wrote:Ian,
Re the 2003 Schild Estate Ben Schild Reserve Shiraz, you give the technical despriptors, but what did you see as the plusses and minuses? i.e. did you like it, if not why not?
Jamie Hong Kong wrote:Ian
Sounds bloody awful!!!!
What did you give it? 70 points.
This is where leaving out a definite opinion can backfire quite badly.
I actually quite like the wine - at the moment at least, although I'm not sure how long it will hang together. It's really walking on a knife-edge, with the heavy extract, alcohol and oak (just) countered by that signature Barossa chocolate fruit. It is an excessive style that will polarize opinions - at the moment it's on my good side, but I can see others possibly hating it too, and I don't know if it's really got the depth to last.
Cheers,
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
Ben Glaetzer Godolphin 2004 - good stuff, rich with lovely ripe tannins, depth of fruit and structure to burn.
Shotfire Ridge Barossa Quartage 2003 - nice drink...nice fruit weight with a savoury edge.
Plantagenet Riesling 2002 - good stuff...drinking nicely and beginning to take on some toasty elements....
Shotfire Ridge Barossa Quartage 2003 - nice drink...nice fruit weight with a savoury edge.
Plantagenet Riesling 2002 - good stuff...drinking nicely and beginning to take on some toasty elements....
markg wrote:Actually went to the royal adelaide wine show on Friday, was there through all three sessions (Exhibitors, VIP and Public) but touched nary a drop, I was a good boy.. too busy handing out leaflets to my wine auction all day and didn't want to give the wrong impression by dribbling down my shirt front
If it was the black shirt that you had on at the Southcorp roadshow then no one would have noticed anyway (again!)
rooview wrote:I've not been to an event like this before. People were clawing at bottles and wandering off with them. Nibbles and cheese being pawed and sneezed on. It was a jungle. Needless to say, I left rather quickly.
Sounds pretty feral - was it like this for all three sessions Mark?
Cheers,
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
Tahbilk Marsanne 1994
Drank at the cafe at Tahbilk (decent food) and made when it was still a fancy French "Chateau". This wine was incredible with strong honeysuckle and nutty aromas which almost sent it into Amontillado territory. The palate shows great length with honey combined with the sherry thing again. I have no idea what to drink this with but it's a nice ride. I have had other Tahbilk Marsannes ('96 , 97) and none have quite headed in this direction.
Available at CD for $22 and worth every cent for it being so unique.
Mitchelton Shiraz
Their entry level Central Vic version, quite good in a Aussie Rhoneish style.
[/b]
Drank at the cafe at Tahbilk (decent food) and made when it was still a fancy French "Chateau". This wine was incredible with strong honeysuckle and nutty aromas which almost sent it into Amontillado territory. The palate shows great length with honey combined with the sherry thing again. I have no idea what to drink this with but it's a nice ride. I have had other Tahbilk Marsannes ('96 , 97) and none have quite headed in this direction.
Available at CD for $22 and worth every cent for it being so unique.
Mitchelton Shiraz
Their entry level Central Vic version, quite good in a Aussie Rhoneish style.
[/b]
Sean wrote:2004 Charles Melton The Father Inlaw Shiraz - A huge mint and cherry ripe palate. It was like drinking cough syrup. I didn't like this wine at all and only had one glass. (I left the btl at a mate's place and asked him to see what it's like the next day...)
Thanks for taking one for the team - I will avoid this wine...
platinum wrote:Wizz wrote:platinum wrote:GraemeG wrote:1999 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot
Hot on the heels of this wine's downgrade (to a '2') in Jeremy Oliver's 2006 guide, I thought this worth opening to compare to the JR. Lighter in colour, full red, the nose was much lighter and more restrained. Slightly leafy fruit, it's quite correct in aromas - blackcurrant, cassis, etc. Nicely balanced across the palate, it just seems to lack an excitement factor (or possibly complexity factor) to turn it into a really memorable experience. Still pretty good, though, but better drunk 3 years ago or in another 5...
[b]1999 J Vidal Graeme
Is this out in shops now?
Up to the 2002 now I think,
I am not that naive
sorry, didnt mean to offend,