Sunday - That time of the week again....
Sunday - That time of the week again....
You know the drill. Please let us know what you have been drinking. TN's vibes or lists welcome.
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Grey Ghost
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:28 pm
- Location: NZ
All right - already Ric!
Attended the Cloudy Bay annual International Pinot Tasting yesterday. As always, superbly organised and carried out with CB's usual panache.
Nineteen wines tasted (2004 vintage), with the Grand and Premier Cru wines struggling with each other for bottom places (one honourable exception). The exception was Domaine Fourier, Gerrey-Chambertin "Les Champaeux" - which was everything a Burgundy should be. Still a little tannic but lovely structure and length.
No intention of attempting to detail all the wines here as most will not be available in Aus - except that I wish to showcase Ted Lemon's Littorai, Anderson Valley Pinot. A superb wine - with beautiful fruit, soft, silky mid palate with great depth (and weight-with elegance) and long finish. If any of you should be travelling in the USA - look out this maker.
Aus-wines in the line up were:
Brokenwood Beechworth - AUD 24.00 - Best QPR of the day. A fine, well balanced wine with deep, rich fruit, good grippy fruit tannins without being astringent and long finish. A lovely wine - my recommend is to buy by the case.
Kooyong, "Ferrous" - AUD 58.00 - Gentle, sweet fruit nose (slightly dirty ... H2S, but not objectionable), good balance and soft silky mid palate. Lacked length. A nice wine without excitement.
Stephano Lubiana, "Estate" Pinot noir - - AUD 42.00 Another in the "gentle" pinot style with a gentle, red-cherry fruit, soft but well defined mid-palate. The wine is showing bottle development and this has added interest. A food wine - but not with heavy flavoured foods - I'd go with baked salmon.
Giaconda, "Nantua Vineyard" (Beechworth) - AUD 65.00. Oak dominated the nose for me - then followed on to the palate. Good primary fruit but the imbalance with the oak treatment spoilt the wine for me. the least of the group in all ways. The Littorai also had high oak levels, but this was within and complementary to the whole structure of the wine - not a layer on layer as I found in the Giaconda.
The New Zealand wines were again a revelation. It is my industry, it is my occupation, and I am cautious of a "cellar-palate" - however on this occasion the international guests (Australians, Americans and sundry others), were also favourably impressed with the presented wines.
Those available in Australia will be:
Cloudy Bay; Pegasus Bay; Craggy Range "Te Muna Road". All worthy of a place at your table - all good food wines and also good stoep wines.
GG
The "dog"of the tasting?
Domaine Hudelot-Noellat, Richebourg. Bloody near undrinkable - so astringent that if you dropped a bottle in the Tasman we'd have another Gibson desert there. There was some great fruit under the extremely badly handled winemaking.
Attended the Cloudy Bay annual International Pinot Tasting yesterday. As always, superbly organised and carried out with CB's usual panache.
Nineteen wines tasted (2004 vintage), with the Grand and Premier Cru wines struggling with each other for bottom places (one honourable exception). The exception was Domaine Fourier, Gerrey-Chambertin "Les Champaeux" - which was everything a Burgundy should be. Still a little tannic but lovely structure and length.
No intention of attempting to detail all the wines here as most will not be available in Aus - except that I wish to showcase Ted Lemon's Littorai, Anderson Valley Pinot. A superb wine - with beautiful fruit, soft, silky mid palate with great depth (and weight-with elegance) and long finish. If any of you should be travelling in the USA - look out this maker.
Aus-wines in the line up were:
Brokenwood Beechworth - AUD 24.00 - Best QPR of the day. A fine, well balanced wine with deep, rich fruit, good grippy fruit tannins without being astringent and long finish. A lovely wine - my recommend is to buy by the case.
Kooyong, "Ferrous" - AUD 58.00 - Gentle, sweet fruit nose (slightly dirty ... H2S, but not objectionable), good balance and soft silky mid palate. Lacked length. A nice wine without excitement.
Stephano Lubiana, "Estate" Pinot noir - - AUD 42.00 Another in the "gentle" pinot style with a gentle, red-cherry fruit, soft but well defined mid-palate. The wine is showing bottle development and this has added interest. A food wine - but not with heavy flavoured foods - I'd go with baked salmon.
Giaconda, "Nantua Vineyard" (Beechworth) - AUD 65.00. Oak dominated the nose for me - then followed on to the palate. Good primary fruit but the imbalance with the oak treatment spoilt the wine for me. the least of the group in all ways. The Littorai also had high oak levels, but this was within and complementary to the whole structure of the wine - not a layer on layer as I found in the Giaconda.
The New Zealand wines were again a revelation. It is my industry, it is my occupation, and I am cautious of a "cellar-palate" - however on this occasion the international guests (Australians, Americans and sundry others), were also favourably impressed with the presented wines.
Those available in Australia will be:
Cloudy Bay; Pegasus Bay; Craggy Range "Te Muna Road". All worthy of a place at your table - all good food wines and also good stoep wines.
GG
The "dog"of the tasting?
Domaine Hudelot-Noellat, Richebourg. Bloody near undrinkable - so astringent that if you dropped a bottle in the Tasman we'd have another Gibson desert there. There was some great fruit under the extremely badly handled winemaking.
There's an old saying that goes something like " prepare for the worst , hope for the best " which has some validity for Wine I think.....
2000 Penfold's Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz : expected a weedy wine here but this even had some nice Shiraz " chocolate " to it. Not too bad at all really !
2004 Thorn Clarke Barossa Valley Nebbiolo ( $ 17 ) stelvin : this had a pretty nose on opening. Rather straightforward to drink but OK especially for the price. Dunno that Shiraz has much to fear from Nebbiolo in the Barossa though !
2000 Penfold's Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz : expected a weedy wine here but this even had some nice Shiraz " chocolate " to it. Not too bad at all really !
2004 Thorn Clarke Barossa Valley Nebbiolo ( $ 17 ) stelvin : this had a pretty nose on opening. Rather straightforward to drink but OK especially for the price. Dunno that Shiraz has much to fear from Nebbiolo in the Barossa though !
2006 Shingle Peak Riesling
2004 Sanctuary Riesling
2005 Wooing Tree Pinot Noir
2005 Carrick Pinot Noir
2005 Mt Difficulty Pipeclay Terrace Pinot Noir
2005 Te Mata Awatea
2005 Te Mata Coleraine
2005 Puriri Hills Reserve Merlot Carm Cab Franc
2005 Passage Rock Reserve Syrah
2004 Vidal Reserve Syrah
2004 Amon Ra
2002 WOMS
You know where to find the details
2004 Sanctuary Riesling
2005 Wooing Tree Pinot Noir
2005 Carrick Pinot Noir
2005 Mt Difficulty Pipeclay Terrace Pinot Noir
2005 Te Mata Awatea
2005 Te Mata Coleraine
2005 Puriri Hills Reserve Merlot Carm Cab Franc
2005 Passage Rock Reserve Syrah
2004 Vidal Reserve Syrah
2004 Amon Ra
2002 WOMS
You know where to find the details
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
Jamiesons Run O'Dea's Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Opened yesterday and decanted for a few hours. Lovely wine - classic Coonawarra cabernet in a lighter but sustained style. Stoppered half a bottle and went back for a taste now. Has gone a little volatile but retained its length. I suspect it is one to drink over the next few years to be at its most enjoyable.
Opened yesterday and decanted for a few hours. Lovely wine - classic Coonawarra cabernet in a lighter but sustained style. Stoppered half a bottle and went back for a taste now. Has gone a little volatile but retained its length. I suspect it is one to drink over the next few years to be at its most enjoyable.
Domaine de Beaurenard Rasteau 1998
An inky dark red colour. This is 80% grenache:20% syrah but boy it is dark. On the nose we get ink and granite and that oh so typical 'is it brett or is it terroir' animale note Not much fruit at this stage at least. Brooding inky closed palate that is syrah dominant and reminds me more of a Hermitage than a Chataneauf in style. Finishes shorter than I would like but nice.
D'arenberg D'arry's Original 1996 (museum release)
What a contrast! A pale medium red with bricking at the edge. A nose of kirsch and flyspray (maybe a VA note). On the palate initially red fruit but over a couple of hours kirsch liqueur was the main feature. Yum!
An inky dark red colour. This is 80% grenache:20% syrah but boy it is dark. On the nose we get ink and granite and that oh so typical 'is it brett or is it terroir' animale note Not much fruit at this stage at least. Brooding inky closed palate that is syrah dominant and reminds me more of a Hermitage than a Chataneauf in style. Finishes shorter than I would like but nice.
D'arenberg D'arry's Original 1996 (museum release)
What a contrast! A pale medium red with bricking at the edge. A nose of kirsch and flyspray (maybe a VA note). On the palate initially red fruit but over a couple of hours kirsch liqueur was the main feature. Yum!
Bartenders are supposed to have people skills. Or was it people are supposed to have bartending skills?
2004 Agly Brothers Cotes Du Roussillon
60% Carignan 20% Syrah, 20% Grenache
Someone is bringing this to the Offline, so I won't post a TN, just suffice it to say I can't wait to have it again on Friday!
2003 Evans and Tait Lionels Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (MR)
Dark and inky, almost black. Heady nose, violets, cassis, plums, blackberries. The palate mirrored the nose, with plentiful ripe fruit, firm, ripe tannins, and nary a splinter of wood to be found. Long savoury finish.
Beautiful, ripe cabernet, zero greenness. Drink Up.
60% Carignan 20% Syrah, 20% Grenache
Someone is bringing this to the Offline, so I won't post a TN, just suffice it to say I can't wait to have it again on Friday!
2003 Evans and Tait Lionels Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (MR)
Dark and inky, almost black. Heady nose, violets, cassis, plums, blackberries. The palate mirrored the nose, with plentiful ripe fruit, firm, ripe tannins, and nary a splinter of wood to be found. Long savoury finish.
Beautiful, ripe cabernet, zero greenness. Drink Up.
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Daryl Douglas
- Posts: 1361
- Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 7:23 pm
- Location: Nth Qld
Just some impressions.
Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 2004 - went well with corned beef cooked hungi-style and English mustard. Fruit less prominent than remembered from previous bottles, integrating nicely.
Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 1981 - fully mature, red-brown, leather, red cherry aromas. Substantial crust, a little cloudy I think this bottle was recorked as there was some scum around the lip of the bottle but the capsule was unmarked, the cork soft and coloured only a couple of millimetres. Tannins soft, excellent length of sour cherries, leathery oak on the finish. May have been better a few years ago but very nice and a perfect example of the ageability of Tahbilk reds. Drink now.
Have a bottle of Tahbilk Shiraz 1986 to try as well, sometime over the next year or so. The Chairman's Dozen often throws in some very interesting wines. Also looking forward to the Marsanne 1997 and Semillon 2004. I think my 97-99 1860s Vines may peak before I die, hopefully.
Still to form a firm opinion of the Mike Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 but the 06 shiraz is much in the mould of the 05, needs some air time to show at it's best, some plum, red berries, reasonable length on the finish with drying oak tannins.
[/b]
Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 2004 - went well with corned beef cooked hungi-style and English mustard. Fruit less prominent than remembered from previous bottles, integrating nicely.
Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 1981 - fully mature, red-brown, leather, red cherry aromas. Substantial crust, a little cloudy I think this bottle was recorked as there was some scum around the lip of the bottle but the capsule was unmarked, the cork soft and coloured only a couple of millimetres. Tannins soft, excellent length of sour cherries, leathery oak on the finish. May have been better a few years ago but very nice and a perfect example of the ageability of Tahbilk reds. Drink now.
Have a bottle of Tahbilk Shiraz 1986 to try as well, sometime over the next year or so. The Chairman's Dozen often throws in some very interesting wines. Also looking forward to the Marsanne 1997 and Semillon 2004. I think my 97-99 1860s Vines may peak before I die, hopefully.
Still to form a firm opinion of the Mike Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 but the 06 shiraz is much in the mould of the 05, needs some air time to show at it's best, some plum, red berries, reasonable length on the finish with drying oak tannins.
[/b]
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James Scarcebrook
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 5:59 pm
- Location: Melbourne/Yarra Valley
- Contact:
Here goes (my first tasting notes);
Bannockburn Chardonnay 2000
Very dark yellow, most likely due to age. Intense fruit, richness on mid palate, still quite oaky with ripe stone fruit on the back palate. I bought two vintages of this wine on Langtons, the second being from 2002. I expected this to be a reasonably rich (old school) Chardy, partly due to the styles popularity when it was made, but also partly due to the warm vintage experienced in most of Victoria. The 2002 coming from a cooler year (hopefully) will be little more restrained and citrussy.
Main Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 1983
Not quite sure what possesed me to buy the two bottles of this, but the Half Acre is my favourite Pinot, and I like the region. Having only tasted two Cabernets that are made down there and enjoying them immensely, I was interested to find out what this one was like. It was a good exercise in discovering why certain areas of Mornington aren't suited to the style, as it had well and truly peaked. Very flat and lifeless, but a wines still a wine. Decantering helped ALOT!
Can't remember what else I had this week (that wasn't made where I work), but I'll think up some good ones for next Sunday!
Bannockburn Chardonnay 2000
Very dark yellow, most likely due to age. Intense fruit, richness on mid palate, still quite oaky with ripe stone fruit on the back palate. I bought two vintages of this wine on Langtons, the second being from 2002. I expected this to be a reasonably rich (old school) Chardy, partly due to the styles popularity when it was made, but also partly due to the warm vintage experienced in most of Victoria. The 2002 coming from a cooler year (hopefully) will be little more restrained and citrussy.
Main Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 1983
Not quite sure what possesed me to buy the two bottles of this, but the Half Acre is my favourite Pinot, and I like the region. Having only tasted two Cabernets that are made down there and enjoying them immensely, I was interested to find out what this one was like. It was a good exercise in discovering why certain areas of Mornington aren't suited to the style, as it had well and truly peaked. Very flat and lifeless, but a wines still a wine. Decantering helped ALOT!
Can't remember what else I had this week (that wasn't made where I work), but I'll think up some good ones for next Sunday!
http://winetime.blogsome.com
"Don't ask questions like that up in wine country, they'll think you're some kind of dumb shit"
"Don't ask questions like that up in wine country, they'll think you're some kind of dumb shit"
1994 BVE E&E Sparkling Shiraz
The last of the E&E Sparklings I had. Last bottle I opened was dead oxidised to death. This one yummo quickly demolished. Interesting to see browning mousse when poured. Great aged character in hint with some younger fruit.
2001 Dominique Portet Heathcote Shiraz
A replacement from the winery - not entirely convinced about asking you to send them the bottle and only replacing with like but at least the same vintage. Excellent - clear why I was given the bottle for Xmas a few years ago. Rich long fruit nicely balanced with age developing in behind. Should hold for some years but can't imagine it will get much better.
1999 Richomond Grove Barossa Riesling
This is not as good as the Watervale and is now in the drink up category. The aged character heading towards oxidised and is stripping the fruit slightly. Still a good drink but won't go for much longer.
Morris Cellar Reserve Tokay
Stunning. This bottle bought October 05, I know they are not meant to cellar but this bottle has come up brillantly (ie better than the last). Nutty raisons, sultanas, silky smooth and rich. A dangerous fortified - much too easy to sit down and drink too much.
2003 Ingoldby C/S
Saw the 04 for about $10 - that sounds about right, okay for an every day quaffer but a bit harsh round the edges.
2005 Clos Pierre Pinot Noir
reasonable pinotosity but a touch of unripe tannins dragged it down a bit
The last of the E&E Sparklings I had. Last bottle I opened was dead oxidised to death. This one yummo quickly demolished. Interesting to see browning mousse when poured. Great aged character in hint with some younger fruit.
2001 Dominique Portet Heathcote Shiraz
A replacement from the winery - not entirely convinced about asking you to send them the bottle and only replacing with like but at least the same vintage. Excellent - clear why I was given the bottle for Xmas a few years ago. Rich long fruit nicely balanced with age developing in behind. Should hold for some years but can't imagine it will get much better.
1999 Richomond Grove Barossa Riesling
This is not as good as the Watervale and is now in the drink up category. The aged character heading towards oxidised and is stripping the fruit slightly. Still a good drink but won't go for much longer.
Morris Cellar Reserve Tokay
Stunning. This bottle bought October 05, I know they are not meant to cellar but this bottle has come up brillantly (ie better than the last). Nutty raisons, sultanas, silky smooth and rich. A dangerous fortified - much too easy to sit down and drink too much.
2003 Ingoldby C/S
Saw the 04 for about $10 - that sounds about right, okay for an every day quaffer but a bit harsh round the edges.
2005 Clos Pierre Pinot Noir
reasonable pinotosity but a touch of unripe tannins dragged it down a bit
David J
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake 1Ti 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake 1Ti 5:23
Desert Heart 05 Rose (NZ)
Onion skin colour. Lovely, light but full flavoured with good mouthfeel. A real little surprise.
Rockford Rod and Spur 2004
Good, plummy fruit, forward wine and will settle in time.
Rockford Moppa Springs 2002
Drinking quite well, savoury, meaty palate and nice fragrant nose. Probably in its peak years.
Kabminye Huberts Shiraz 2002
Delicious wine, slightly funky and bretty but lovely Barossa cigary character and tons of sweet oak and fruit. Very good wine, too easy!
Kabminye Grenache Cinsault 2005
Meaty, savoury and earthy with slightly rough edges but could well be just spritely youth. Good but in the shadow of the Huberts.
Turkey Flat Butchers Block 2005
Very nice, balanced wine, loads of obvious grenache character and good length. Very appealling.
Turkey Flat PX
Lighter PX style but a good match with lighter dessert dishes or cheese. A bit 2 dimensional but still enjoyable - nutty, slightly savoury characters with an altogether not too sweet palate. Quite light in colour.
Kabminye VP 1999
A touch simple and overly sweet, will improve with time. OK.
Rockford VP 1999
An improvement on the former but not worth the price. Some nice complexity.
Onion skin colour. Lovely, light but full flavoured with good mouthfeel. A real little surprise.
Rockford Rod and Spur 2004
Good, plummy fruit, forward wine and will settle in time.
Rockford Moppa Springs 2002
Drinking quite well, savoury, meaty palate and nice fragrant nose. Probably in its peak years.
Kabminye Huberts Shiraz 2002
Delicious wine, slightly funky and bretty but lovely Barossa cigary character and tons of sweet oak and fruit. Very good wine, too easy!
Kabminye Grenache Cinsault 2005
Meaty, savoury and earthy with slightly rough edges but could well be just spritely youth. Good but in the shadow of the Huberts.
Turkey Flat Butchers Block 2005
Very nice, balanced wine, loads of obvious grenache character and good length. Very appealling.
Turkey Flat PX
Lighter PX style but a good match with lighter dessert dishes or cheese. A bit 2 dimensional but still enjoyable - nutty, slightly savoury characters with an altogether not too sweet palate. Quite light in colour.
Kabminye VP 1999
A touch simple and overly sweet, will improve with time. OK.
Rockford VP 1999
An improvement on the former but not worth the price. Some nice complexity.
Cheers
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Wayno wrote:Rockford Rod and Spur 2004
Good, plummy fruit, forward wine and will settle in time.
Thanks for that. I was itching to try it but I shall have to push it towards the back of the class
Wayno wrote:Rockford VP 1999
An improvement on the former but not worth the price. Some nice complexity.
Hmmm.....that is disappointing. Not worth the price as there are lots or good VPs out there for give away prices or not worth it as the 99 shiraz is better?
cheers
Carl
Bartenders are supposed to have people skills. Or was it people are supposed to have bartending skills?
Wayno wrote:Kabminye Grenache Cinsault 2005
Meaty, savoury and earthy with slightly rough edges but could well be just spritely youth. Good but in the shadow of the Huberts.
Kabminye VP 1999
A touch simple and overly sweet, will improve with time. OK.
Tried the 2005 Grenache Carignan yesterday - was this the wine you're talking about?
I also tried the 2005 VP-style Fortified Shiraz with a few others - I didn't think they made a wine prior to 2001.
Cheers,
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
Wayno wrote:Rockford VP 1999
An improvement on the former but not worth the price. Some nice complexity.
Hmmm.....that is disappointing. Not worth the price as there are lots or good VPs out there for give away prices or not worth it as the 99 shiraz is better?
cheers
Carl[/quote]
I didn't ask but from memory it's about $65 which seems a touch rich. I don't think I'm made for young VPs though.
Cheers
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Craig(NZ) wrote:2006 Shingle Peak Riesling
2004 Sanctuary Riesling
2005 Wooing Tree Pinot Noir
2005 Carrick Pinot Noir
2005 Mt Difficulty Pipeclay Terrace Pinot Noir
2005 Te Mata Awatea
2005 Te Mata Coleraine
2005 Puriri Hills Reserve Merlot Carm Cab Franc
2005 Passage Rock Reserve Syrah
2004 Vidal Reserve Syrah
2004 Amon Ra
2002 WOMS
You know where to find the details
Thanks to Craig and Mel for putting on a great evening. The organization was impressive given 16 demanding people and they pulled it off with style. I had to quit at 11pm as we had our four-year old in tow. You can read the outcome on kiwiwinefanclub (and earn Craig about four cents
a hit).
I didn't do any notes as I wanted to enjoy the wines (almost all were very good - excellent+) but my own wines of the night were ...
1) Kaesler WOMS 2002
2) Glaezer Amon Ra Shiraz 2004
3) Puriri Hills Reserve Blend 2005
4) Carrick Pinot Noir 2005
Now the top two wines were always likely to impress but the next two are the ones that made a new impression -
To put the Puriri Hills 2005 in perspective, it was tasted next to - and I rated it slightly better than - the 2005 Coleraine.
Earlier in the day I had already tasted the 2005 Coleraine against the Pichon Lalande 2003 (Outstanding), Ducru Beaucaillou 2003 (needs time, bit gawky, oak sticking out). The Te Mata Coleraine 2005 was not outclassed in this company ... I have to work on my memory as I did not identify the Coleraine the same evening
but the overall quality was excellent.
I have to say I'm not a fan of Pinots but acknowledge I come across the odd special one I love. The Carrick 2005 was one such wine - effortlesslessly seductive and a texturalists delight. It really has that extra dimension (I'm not qualified to say Burgudinian). One to quietly sit and contemplate with a good book or an understanding wife!
Although #4 on my list it's the one I miss tonight ...
Cheers -- Jay
“There are no standards of taste in wine. Each mans own taste is the standard, and a majority vote cannot decide for him or in any slightest degree affect the supremacy of his own standard". Mark Twain.
Orlando St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2000, 13%.
- Good palate weight to this, with evident but attractive tannins (especially good with roast pork and roast vegetables). The fruit seems to be backing away a bit quickly for a 2000, so I'm not quite sure about the keeping prospects for this. I half suspect the very low level taint though, so other bottles may have more fruit.
The St Hugo came after a 2003 Valminor albarino (tasty and textural, as usual) and a Trevor Jones grenache-based NV sparkling red. The sparkler was tight, narrow, and had some (acid) length on the palate. My first sparkling grenache.
As well as some sparkling reds, before, during and after National Sparkling Red Day on Tuesday, I had a Hoddles Creek 2005 pinot noir, which is starting to drink very well. Oh, and a 2004 Yarrh cabernet (80%) shiraz (20%), which presents well with good chocolate and berry cabernet characters.
- Good palate weight to this, with evident but attractive tannins (especially good with roast pork and roast vegetables). The fruit seems to be backing away a bit quickly for a 2000, so I'm not quite sure about the keeping prospects for this. I half suspect the very low level taint though, so other bottles may have more fruit.
The St Hugo came after a 2003 Valminor albarino (tasty and textural, as usual) and a Trevor Jones grenache-based NV sparkling red. The sparkler was tight, narrow, and had some (acid) length on the palate. My first sparkling grenache.
As well as some sparkling reds, before, during and after National Sparkling Red Day on Tuesday, I had a Hoddles Creek 2005 pinot noir, which is starting to drink very well. Oh, and a 2004 Yarrh cabernet (80%) shiraz (20%), which presents well with good chocolate and berry cabernet characters.
Paul.
De Bortoli Emeri Sparkling Durif...Nice sparkling red. Very Impressive at the price which I can't remember but it wasnt much <$20...92 pts
Tulloch Pokolbin Dry Red 2005 Private Bin...SC... What a Lovely Shiraz (already) for a 2005 but it will improve more by which time it will be a very special Hunter Burg style. Lighter to medium bodied with everything in lovely balance. Why arent more Hunter Shiraz this good? Why arent more Shiraz worldwide this good? A steal at $35.. 95 pts
Tulloch Pokolbin Dry Red 2005 Private Bin...SC... What a Lovely Shiraz (already) for a 2005 but it will improve more by which time it will be a very special Hunter Burg style. Lighter to medium bodied with everything in lovely balance. Why arent more Hunter Shiraz this good? Why arent more Shiraz worldwide this good? A steal at $35.. 95 pts
To put the Puriri Hills 2005 in perspective, it was tasted next to - and I rated it slightly better than - the 2005 Coleraine.
Earlier in the day I had already tasted the 2005 Coleraine against the Pichon Lalande 2003 (Outstanding), Ducru Beaucaillou 2003 (needs time, bit gawky, oak sticking out). The Te Mata Coleraine 2005 was not outclassed in this company ... I have to work on my memory as I did not identify the Coleraine the same evening but the overall quality was excellent.
They are both stunning wines, the Coleraine has packed on some weight since release and looked very much the goods for being an absolute top vintage. The Puriri is amazing. Both are must buys for bordeaux fans
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
Wynns Black Label 2005
Had this next to the 04 and thought the 05 was a much nicer wine. Made the leafy character on the 04 seem very pronounced. By comparison the 05 was richer fuller and better balanced. Got to keep an eye on the specials for this one.
Mamre Brook Shiraz 2004
A little awkward on the first night but settle down on the second needs several years sleep me thinks.
Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 03
Nice full bodied shiraz.
Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 04
Only had a quick taste of this but very similar to the 03.
Seppelts Original 05
First taste of this one and it is similar in style to the 04. Not too sweet which is a good thing and needs to be left lie for a while to build some complexity.
Glen
Had this next to the 04 and thought the 05 was a much nicer wine. Made the leafy character on the 04 seem very pronounced. By comparison the 05 was richer fuller and better balanced. Got to keep an eye on the specials for this one.
Mamre Brook Shiraz 2004
A little awkward on the first night but settle down on the second needs several years sleep me thinks.
Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 03
Nice full bodied shiraz.
Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 04
Only had a quick taste of this but very similar to the 03.
Seppelts Original 05
First taste of this one and it is similar in style to the 04. Not too sweet which is a good thing and needs to be left lie for a while to build some complexity.
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
platinum wrote:
Tulloch Pokolbin Dry Red 2005 Private Bin...SC... What a Lovely Shiraz (already) for a 2005 but it will improve more by which time it will be a very special Hunter Burg style. Lighter to medium bodied with everything in lovely balance. Why arent more Hunter Shiraz this good? Why arent more Shiraz worldwide this good? A steal at $35.. 95 pts
They are. You just need to look harder!
GW
Besides a stack of beers and cocktails after finishing exams managed to squeeze in a couple of reds:
2005 Kalleske Clarry's Barossa Red: full of ripe barossa fruit, full bodied, soft tannins. The warmth and richness makes it fantastic winter drinking. Very glugable and good with a rare steak.
2005 Tulloch Private Bin Pokolbin Dry Red: agree with Platinum's note above. Medium bodied, elegant restrained style. Spicy palate with red berries, earth and fine grippy tannins. Exudes class.
2005 Kalleske Clarry's Barossa Red: full of ripe barossa fruit, full bodied, soft tannins. The warmth and richness makes it fantastic winter drinking. Very glugable and good with a rare steak.
2005 Tulloch Private Bin Pokolbin Dry Red: agree with Platinum's note above. Medium bodied, elegant restrained style. Spicy palate with red berries, earth and fine grippy tannins. Exudes class.
Premierships and great wine... that is what life is all about
Gary W wrote:platinum wrote:
Tulloch Pokolbin Dry Red 2005 Private Bin...SC... What a Lovely Shiraz (already) for a 2005 but it will improve more by which time it will be a very special Hunter Burg style. Lighter to medium bodied with everything in lovely balance. Why arent more Hunter Shiraz this good? Why arent more Shiraz worldwide this good? A steal at $35.. 95 pts
They are. You just need to look harder!
GW
which other ones at $35 are that good?
Thorn Clarke Quartage 2005 $17 Cork
I have been a fan of Thorn Clarke since the 2002 vintage of Shotfire shiraz which I am happy to say I still have some of. This six pack purchase was based on memories of the vintages I have tried and loved. I opened one last night. First thing I noticed is that it has already won five trophies from Hobart and Sydney. Next was the fact that it was sealed with a cork – my preferred closure. But what I could see was not just the top of the cork visible once the capsule was removed but the fact that it had a shine to it. Once removed, I saw that the end of the cork in contact with the wine also had a film over it. This film does not cover the sides of the cork, just the ends. Yet another attempt to curb TCA. I thought that T/Clarke were going to all screwcaps but I am happy with this result.
I decanted the wine for an hour before I tasted it. It is quite dark in colour and nicely perfumed with fresh and stewed fruit and spice. The fresh fruit stand out on the palate and has a silky mouthfeel with a reasonably long finish. It is medium bodied and has some savoury tones. Some complex layers of flavours which were shown over two nights. It was still drinking beautifully at the end of the bottle on day two.
Thorn Clarke had some of the best merlot I have tried under their Sandpiper label about two years ago. The berries from that vineyard must have gone into this wine.
At first I thought it might not be a long term cellaring prospect, but with the way it has come up tonight, there is good potential here.
Graham
I have been a fan of Thorn Clarke since the 2002 vintage of Shotfire shiraz which I am happy to say I still have some of. This six pack purchase was based on memories of the vintages I have tried and loved. I opened one last night. First thing I noticed is that it has already won five trophies from Hobart and Sydney. Next was the fact that it was sealed with a cork – my preferred closure. But what I could see was not just the top of the cork visible once the capsule was removed but the fact that it had a shine to it. Once removed, I saw that the end of the cork in contact with the wine also had a film over it. This film does not cover the sides of the cork, just the ends. Yet another attempt to curb TCA. I thought that T/Clarke were going to all screwcaps but I am happy with this result.
I decanted the wine for an hour before I tasted it. It is quite dark in colour and nicely perfumed with fresh and stewed fruit and spice. The fresh fruit stand out on the palate and has a silky mouthfeel with a reasonably long finish. It is medium bodied and has some savoury tones. Some complex layers of flavours which were shown over two nights. It was still drinking beautifully at the end of the bottle on day two.
Thorn Clarke had some of the best merlot I have tried under their Sandpiper label about two years ago. The berries from that vineyard must have gone into this wine.
At first I thought it might not be a long term cellaring prospect, but with the way it has come up tonight, there is good potential here.
Graham
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted
Plentiful week
Pairs of Wolf Blass w/winemaker Chris Hatcher. All of these wines are very forward and readily approachable.
2004/2005 Grey Label Cab Sauv: '04 slightly more elegant, '05 more chocolaty and riper, both quite good.
2002/2003 Black Label: '02 bit herbal, spicy, juicy; '03 warmer, creamier texture, prefer the '03.
2003/2004 Platinum Label Shiraz: '03 plummy, cedary, brown sugar; '04 creamier, lush fruit, richer yet more elegant at the same time.
A few short verticals from Yalumba w/winemaker Louisa Rose, including my first experience with screw cap > 25 years old.
1980 Rhine Riesling: Lovely wine, hints of honey and toast, orange-y citrus, maybe even some coconut.
'96 Contours Riesling: Bit of an ugly-duckling stage--not youthful, not mature.
'06 Pewsey Vale Riesling: Crisp, lime-driven.
'00/'01/'02 Contours Riesling: '00 already showing some honey, stone fruit; '01 less zesty, more harmonious than '02; '02 very youthful, fresh, needs many years (unless you like them young).
'99/'01/'02 Octavius Shiraz: '99 bit of VA, pepper, insecticide; '00 graham cracker, cinnamon, spice on finish; '02 lavish vanilla, oak, creamy texture, raspberry fruit.
'86/'92/'98 The Signature CS-Shiraz: '86 bit browning, eucalyptus, fully mature, maybe even a little past it; '92 cedar, brown sugar, mint, cassis, tobacco, mature, quite nice; '98 more mint/eucaypt, slightly syrupy, needs additional time.
A Kiwi from the weekend at home
Corban's 1998 Winemaker's Cottage Block CS-M-CF Hawkes Bay: Quite nice if you don't mind what seems like a bit of brett. Some leathery, Band-Aid notes, but nicely supple and textured, some cassis and tobacco.
Cheers,
2004/2005 Grey Label Cab Sauv: '04 slightly more elegant, '05 more chocolaty and riper, both quite good.
2002/2003 Black Label: '02 bit herbal, spicy, juicy; '03 warmer, creamier texture, prefer the '03.
2003/2004 Platinum Label Shiraz: '03 plummy, cedary, brown sugar; '04 creamier, lush fruit, richer yet more elegant at the same time.
A few short verticals from Yalumba w/winemaker Louisa Rose, including my first experience with screw cap > 25 years old.
1980 Rhine Riesling: Lovely wine, hints of honey and toast, orange-y citrus, maybe even some coconut.
'96 Contours Riesling: Bit of an ugly-duckling stage--not youthful, not mature.
'06 Pewsey Vale Riesling: Crisp, lime-driven.
'00/'01/'02 Contours Riesling: '00 already showing some honey, stone fruit; '01 less zesty, more harmonious than '02; '02 very youthful, fresh, needs many years (unless you like them young).
'99/'01/'02 Octavius Shiraz: '99 bit of VA, pepper, insecticide; '00 graham cracker, cinnamon, spice on finish; '02 lavish vanilla, oak, creamy texture, raspberry fruit.
'86/'92/'98 The Signature CS-Shiraz: '86 bit browning, eucalyptus, fully mature, maybe even a little past it; '92 cedar, brown sugar, mint, cassis, tobacco, mature, quite nice; '98 more mint/eucaypt, slightly syrupy, needs additional time.
A Kiwi from the weekend at home
Corban's 1998 Winemaker's Cottage Block CS-M-CF Hawkes Bay: Quite nice if you don't mind what seems like a bit of brett. Some leathery, Band-Aid notes, but nicely supple and textured, some cassis and tobacco.
Cheers,
Joe Czerwinski