GRB wrote:Grant Burge Filsell 2003
Dark Purple , Coffee, Plums, Berrys, and Chary Oak. Good Length and complexity but the oak from the nose seems to protrude through a bit much for my taste. May settle down in a couple of years but I just don't think I like this style much.
I bought 3 of these on release, and have already had two thinking the first was served too warm. With the second had Friday night, it's feels like it's just not a good Filsell (yet?). I normally love it, the 2002 was first rate and I'm happy to have some stashed away, but this seems like it's been watered down and had a shot of vodka thrown in, in comparison.
Haven't been taking notes recently, here's a few impressions with the more unusual ones first; Sherwood Estate, near Kempsey, has done well with the 2002 Shiraz, medium bodied, sweet but not sour-sweet fruit, well judged oak and surprisingly great length. Much enjoyment. Very Good? The 2003 Reserve Chambourcin is a bigger wine, again well made, but needs some breathing or a few years laid down. It has some real Old World characters to it, with gamey, spicy, slightly green roasted herby (not in the bad way, hard to explain) notes with mostly red fruits. Very Good, will improve, give it 5 years and it should go 10 no problem. Merilba Estate is in New England, the whites are already showing well, and the reds are coming on steam, some 2004 barrel samples looked absolutely fantastic, the Chardonnay will be great, the Shiraz even better. The already bottled lower-end 2004 Shiraz (labelled Ration Hill, from memory) has a pinch of Durif thrown in, giving it incredible complexity for a $10 wine. The white blend in the same tier (really should have taken notes, doh) punches above it's weight again, nothing poking out, really pleasant drinking (and I don't drink whites). Also, the 2003 Shiraz was Very Good without a doubt...enough fruit to handle the oak. The 2002 Cabernet still needs some time to integrate, but it looks better than it did a years ago; I think the fruit will soak it up in time, and it should be Very Good+ in 18 months or a few more years. Definitely a winery to look out for! Interestingly, Petersons have apparently set up shop in New England too, a local bottle shop had the 2004 Merlot, weighing in at a silly 15% alc. Not a bad drop, certainly not a girl's blouse Merlot, but too much alcohol and not enough fruit, though good length.
Some current release stuff, and some younger cellared wines. 2003 St. Hallett Faith is not up to the level of the 2002, though not bad quaffing at, what $13. 2002 Mitolo Jester is pure enjoyment right now, velvety smooth with black fruits, pepper and really just sings out McLaren Vale. 2002 Leasingham Bin 61 is just getting better and better, while Pennies Bin 28 same vintage doesn't seem to be going anywhere, leave for a while. 2001 The Willows Shiraz has improved over the last year, still has those lovely unusual herbs and spices, cinnamon and cardamom. Very good length, give it another few years and it may turn into something great. 1999 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec is very approachable with a few hours of breathing, great marriage of the two varieties, good depth, complexity and length. Given a few more years, it'll come together well I think. 2000 Mount Pleasant Rosehill is pure Hunter goodness, best with food I think, went great with home made Armenian-style pizza. The 2000 Greenock Green Alice's is good but not great, I don't think it'll go anywhere, the 2001 is different, bigger and better. Disappointing next to the very good 2000 Apricot Block. The 1998 Morris Durif is coming along nicely, typical (what used to be) big Durif, just started developing some dried fruit characters (raisins and dates), plenty of length. More time, again. 1998 Wolf Blass Yellow Label shows how good this used to be, toasty oak, yes, but plenty of fruit to go with it and very good length, too. Very Good. Wynns John Riddoch 1997 is not a great JR, but Very Good+, obviously needs a bit of time, great length and all the right aromas and flavours, but not enough of it there to every be one of the best (not probably better ones)...that's more in praise of the best vintages than criticism of this one.
Couple of Bordeaux. 1983 Leoville Poyferre is an absolute stunner, plush, rich, sumptous, excellent length, mouthfilling, wonderfully complex, could masquerade as a Margaux with the floral notes. Excellent+, none left again, doh. 1981 Chateau Margaux, my second bottle of this vintage, is also Excellent, incredible length, gravelly tannins, dark and milk chocolate, red berries, not as floral as the Leoville, ironically. 1970 Mouton, sinking soaked cork, low shoulder, just something wrong with the bottle from the start. At first, septic, acidic (urine, ugh) nose, takes an hour to (mostly) blow off. Take a deep breath and try a sip, excellent balance, but still that off smell, there's some fruit red left, tannic, but this is cleary a completely dud bottle. My first badly described bottle from this auction house, and sadly, one of the most expensive I've bought
Sorry for the lack of posts lately, many and varied things going on, hope to make more of a contribution to the forum again some time soon.
Happy Drinking
Jakob
Time flies when you are having fun. 
