lets hope that things cool down soon for those SA growers that still have grapes on the vine.
Its that of the week again. Please let us know what you have been drinking. Tasting notes, vibes or lists all welcome.
A hot Sunday......
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Daniel Jess
- Posts: 214
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- Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- Contact:
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Daryl Douglas
- Posts: 1361
- Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 7:23 pm
- Location: Nth Qld
After a few bottles of Leasingham Magnus Shiraz 2005, I'm not convinced - it's an acceptable quaffer for $14 - and am wondering why I thought it deserved the show awards it's been awarded. But I think they were in commercial price-point classes. To put it in a points/100 perspective, 87 max.
Madfish Chardonnay 2004 was enticing, very similar to GW's TNs of the 05 and 06 vintages, very nice in the dry-ish chardy style. I kept going back for more but felt compelled to leave the last glass for the hostess of the party/bbq this afternoon when I found she liked it too and had been pouring from the bottle too - she loves chard - I think it's the only wine she drinks so I always take a bottle of chard she may not have tried before. Excellent value for $16 from the barn's run-out shelves.
Jacobs Creek Riesling 2007, old reliable, it just keeps on delivering great value for money, even if this bottle was a gift. The 07 vintage is perhaps more fruity than some earlier vintages I've tried but is very quaffable and much to my preferred style with up-front varietal fruit. There's some grapefruit that, across the palate, moves to lemony characters, lively acid on the medium finish. A sub-$10 bargain with no kerosene.
daz
Madfish Chardonnay 2004 was enticing, very similar to GW's TNs of the 05 and 06 vintages, very nice in the dry-ish chardy style. I kept going back for more but felt compelled to leave the last glass for the hostess of the party/bbq this afternoon when I found she liked it too and had been pouring from the bottle too - she loves chard - I think it's the only wine she drinks so I always take a bottle of chard she may not have tried before. Excellent value for $16 from the barn's run-out shelves.
Jacobs Creek Riesling 2007, old reliable, it just keeps on delivering great value for money, even if this bottle was a gift. The 07 vintage is perhaps more fruity than some earlier vintages I've tried but is very quaffable and much to my preferred style with up-front varietal fruit. There's some grapefruit that, across the palate, moves to lemony characters, lively acid on the medium finish. A sub-$10 bargain with no kerosene.
daz
Re: A hot Sunday......
TORB wrote:lets hope that things cool down soon for those SA growers that still have grapes on the vine.
The harvesters are still going here in the Riverland, although there are getting less out there each night...
"A woman drove me to drink, and I'll be a son of a gun but I never even wrote to thank her" WC Fields
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Dave Dewhurst
- Posts: 283
- Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:03 pm
- Location: Perth, WA
Warren Vineyard Cabernet Merlot 2000. Quite dark and inky in the glass. Very minty nose which softened with time to allow hints of blackcurrant and blackberry. Initially restrained savoury blackcurrant fruit with strong mint and a touch of herbs. However, as the night went on (this was drunk over about four hours), cassis rose more and more on the nose and the fruit body really filled out, showing tremendous depth and viscosity. Reasonably long, mouth coating finish with lovely soft tannins. Last glass was the best. Love the wines these guys have produced in the past (2000 and older).
Rosemount GSM, 2003, deep red but with definite browning to the edges. Plummy, porty, grenachy style fruit, light to medium bodied, rather short and seemingly a parody of what this style used to be. To be fair, I picked this up from DM’s at around half price ($12 a bottle) about a year ago and perhaps I can see why so cheap. I certainly remember a lot more body, depth of flavour and tannins in this wine from the late 90’s.
Donnelly River Shiraz, 2002, sweet, viscous and cloying, not keen and did my head in the next day.
Woodlands Cuvee Emilie Pinot Chardonnay, 2001, straw yellow, restrained nose, maybe a touch of yeastiness; lovely soft refreshing mousse, lemony and bready on the palate, moderate length and good acidity. As Aussie sparklies go, I quite like this, plenty of character.
Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001, Deep crimson red to the rim, no signs of browning. Touch of maybe thyme and blackcurrant on the nose. Quite developed on the palate, not much primary fruit here, a touch of savoury blackcurrant, but there is quite some body, quite leathery and a hint of tarriness maybe with some dark chocolate and mild mint, again mouth coating and slightly viscous. After a short time, a touch of red cherry appears. Initially, very soft, mildly drying tannins if you really suck for them, seemingly well integrated. However, tannins, depth and weight rise considerably with a few hours airing dusty cocoa and savoury black cherry come through, still coupled with leather. In the end, the length is amazing – minutes after finishing, I am still tasting cocoa powder and have dry cheeks! I like this a lot but it seems quite developed compared to a lot of TN’s I have seen for this wine. I have no idea if it is an atypical bottle or not but if it is, then bring on more!
Black George Pinot Noir, 1998, slightly browning light reddish pinot colour. Quite reticent nose, just a touch of raspberry. My initial impression was not good, with a big fat green metallic stripe running through the palate. However, after a decant and about half an hour, this had disappeared and fruit had risen to take its place – initially, raspberry and redcurrant with slightly dry tannins and light, elegant body. Puts on a bit of weight with time, although never more than the light side of medium bodied, although the fruit also darkens to black cherry. Towards the final glass, the nose had become slightly herby and tarry. This wine complemented very well a veal chop stuffed with risotto and a baked garlic field mushroom the size of my head! I picked this (and the next) wine up for curiosity value really, in a local bottle shop that is clearing out a wodge of old stock. This was one of the first WA pinots I had at a wine fair in Melbourne in 2000 and I remember being very impressed with its dark fruit power. While it has lost some of that umph with time, it was to me, still very elegant and drinkable.
Hollick Cabernet Sauvignon, 1991, again a curiosity buy. Supposedly a good vintage in Coonawarra, but this wine made in a lighter style apparently. Fine by me! Crimson centre with some browning to the rim. A classic minty nose quite dominant initially. Quite light bodied, with surprisingly bright red cherry and redcurrant fruit with soft tannins and slightly noticeable acidity. I decided to try this with soft cheese due to this acid component (I don’t normally do soft cheese with red wine) and it worked well, brining up more red fruits and softening the acidity. The wine became slightly fuller bodied and a touch more viscous and mouth-coating with time. I might go back for one or two more of these.
Cheers
Dave
Rosemount GSM, 2003, deep red but with definite browning to the edges. Plummy, porty, grenachy style fruit, light to medium bodied, rather short and seemingly a parody of what this style used to be. To be fair, I picked this up from DM’s at around half price ($12 a bottle) about a year ago and perhaps I can see why so cheap. I certainly remember a lot more body, depth of flavour and tannins in this wine from the late 90’s.
Donnelly River Shiraz, 2002, sweet, viscous and cloying, not keen and did my head in the next day.
Woodlands Cuvee Emilie Pinot Chardonnay, 2001, straw yellow, restrained nose, maybe a touch of yeastiness; lovely soft refreshing mousse, lemony and bready on the palate, moderate length and good acidity. As Aussie sparklies go, I quite like this, plenty of character.
Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001, Deep crimson red to the rim, no signs of browning. Touch of maybe thyme and blackcurrant on the nose. Quite developed on the palate, not much primary fruit here, a touch of savoury blackcurrant, but there is quite some body, quite leathery and a hint of tarriness maybe with some dark chocolate and mild mint, again mouth coating and slightly viscous. After a short time, a touch of red cherry appears. Initially, very soft, mildly drying tannins if you really suck for them, seemingly well integrated. However, tannins, depth and weight rise considerably with a few hours airing dusty cocoa and savoury black cherry come through, still coupled with leather. In the end, the length is amazing – minutes after finishing, I am still tasting cocoa powder and have dry cheeks! I like this a lot but it seems quite developed compared to a lot of TN’s I have seen for this wine. I have no idea if it is an atypical bottle or not but if it is, then bring on more!
Black George Pinot Noir, 1998, slightly browning light reddish pinot colour. Quite reticent nose, just a touch of raspberry. My initial impression was not good, with a big fat green metallic stripe running through the palate. However, after a decant and about half an hour, this had disappeared and fruit had risen to take its place – initially, raspberry and redcurrant with slightly dry tannins and light, elegant body. Puts on a bit of weight with time, although never more than the light side of medium bodied, although the fruit also darkens to black cherry. Towards the final glass, the nose had become slightly herby and tarry. This wine complemented very well a veal chop stuffed with risotto and a baked garlic field mushroom the size of my head! I picked this (and the next) wine up for curiosity value really, in a local bottle shop that is clearing out a wodge of old stock. This was one of the first WA pinots I had at a wine fair in Melbourne in 2000 and I remember being very impressed with its dark fruit power. While it has lost some of that umph with time, it was to me, still very elegant and drinkable.
Hollick Cabernet Sauvignon, 1991, again a curiosity buy. Supposedly a good vintage in Coonawarra, but this wine made in a lighter style apparently. Fine by me! Crimson centre with some browning to the rim. A classic minty nose quite dominant initially. Quite light bodied, with surprisingly bright red cherry and redcurrant fruit with soft tannins and slightly noticeable acidity. I decided to try this with soft cheese due to this acid component (I don’t normally do soft cheese with red wine) and it worked well, brining up more red fruits and softening the acidity. The wine became slightly fuller bodied and a touch more viscous and mouth-coating with time. I might go back for one or two more of these.
Cheers
Dave
Not strictly the weekend, but some celebratory tipples to commence the head wetting regime of our new son.
Gosset Grande Reserve Brut NV
Refined, elegant, very full of flavour, quite lemony and crisp.
Pommery NV
Quite yeasty, a bit rustic in style actually, but good.
Admittedly the quality of the wines were not the priority thing on my mind...
Gosset Grande Reserve Brut NV
Refined, elegant, very full of flavour, quite lemony and crisp.
Pommery NV
Quite yeasty, a bit rustic in style actually, but good.
Admittedly the quality of the wines were not the priority thing on my mind...
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.
Carrick Riesling 2005 Unusually dominant stone fruit flavours; really enjoyed this.
Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2007 With Bluff oysters, but just didn't seem to quite work ...
Rosemount Mountain Blue Cabernet Shiraz 1997 Holding up extremely well, very pleasant drinking.
Also tasted most of the Chard Farm range at an instore tasting. Of the 2 premium PNs on display -- Finla Mor and Viper -- sufficiently preferred the latter to buy a couple, even at a $13 premium. Good structure with very good length; dark plum & herb; needs at least a couple of years.
Cheers
Peter
Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2007 With Bluff oysters, but just didn't seem to quite work ...
Rosemount Mountain Blue Cabernet Shiraz 1997 Holding up extremely well, very pleasant drinking.
Also tasted most of the Chard Farm range at an instore tasting. Of the 2 premium PNs on display -- Finla Mor and Viper -- sufficiently preferred the latter to buy a couple, even at a $13 premium. Good structure with very good length; dark plum & herb; needs at least a couple of years.
Cheers
Peter
Mornington Estate Pinot Noir 2005
Picked this up at random today because I wanted a pinot to use in some cooking and I like the Mornington region. Aromas of sweet dark plums, and on the palate more of the same, plus some savoury earth and coffee characters. A bit too confected and sweet - plus the label says 14% alcohol which is creeping up there a bit for a pinot, so I suspect the grapes for this were picked a little late. Still not a bad drink but there is better stuff around for the price.
Picked this up at random today because I wanted a pinot to use in some cooking and I like the Mornington region. Aromas of sweet dark plums, and on the palate more of the same, plus some savoury earth and coffee characters. A bit too confected and sweet - plus the label says 14% alcohol which is creeping up there a bit for a pinot, so I suspect the grapes for this were picked a little late. Still not a bad drink but there is better stuff around for the price.
Well over the weekend, with a few good friends.......
1) Leeuwin Estate "Art Series" 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
Very nice - smooth - cassis, coffee ground-like oak, graphite, cedar, remarkable smooth balance, while more renowned for the whites, this is a lovely red.
2) Wynns "John Riddoch" 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon
This one is getting on in years, however, after being open for over 1 hr - it still held up well, some good fruit flavours exist, with, the tobacco, cedar overtones evident. I will now bring out another one, next weekend.
Just two of the highlights, this last week.
Geoff
1) Leeuwin Estate "Art Series" 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
Very nice - smooth - cassis, coffee ground-like oak, graphite, cedar, remarkable smooth balance, while more renowned for the whites, this is a lovely red.
2) Wynns "John Riddoch" 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon
This one is getting on in years, however, after being open for over 1 hr - it still held up well, some good fruit flavours exist, with, the tobacco, cedar overtones evident. I will now bring out another one, next weekend.
Just two of the highlights, this last week.
Geoff
Oz wines ... just one of the great joys in wine.
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Daryl Douglas
- Posts: 1361
- Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 7:23 pm
- Location: Nth Qld
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Mike Hawkins
- Posts: 2747
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 9:39 am
2001 Lindemans Limestone Ridge - not much happening here, quite boring actually.
1999 disgorgement Rockford Black Shiraz - just starting to take on some greater earthy notes. Long and enjoyable.
1998 Dom Perignon - I like to hold DP for some years, but I think this vintage is good to go in the near term. Not a great DP by any stretch, but a nice drop nonetheless.
1982 Dom Perignon - the real deal. Nutty, caramel and cognac characteristics to the fore. Years to go, and for my tastes, even better drinking down the road.
1994 Penfolds Bin 389 - as has been said many times, 94 was a super Penfolds vintage. The 389 can only enhance that reputation. Getting nice secondary characters, especially those I associate with cabernet
1999 disgorgement Rockford Black Shiraz - just starting to take on some greater earthy notes. Long and enjoyable.
1998 Dom Perignon - I like to hold DP for some years, but I think this vintage is good to go in the near term. Not a great DP by any stretch, but a nice drop nonetheless.
1982 Dom Perignon - the real deal. Nutty, caramel and cognac characteristics to the fore. Years to go, and for my tastes, even better drinking down the road.
1994 Penfolds Bin 389 - as has been said many times, 94 was a super Penfolds vintage. The 389 can only enhance that reputation. Getting nice secondary characters, especially those I associate with cabernet
The best match for oysters is the inside of the bin...then immediately drink some Champagne to settle the nerves..
GW
Cummon Gary there is such thing as a food connoisseur. We shouldnt have to come down to your level and all eat pizza and hamburgers. Someone told me once its called 'the finer things of life'. To some people a masterpiece is just a picture......
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
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Michael McNally
- Posts: 2084
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:06 pm
- Location: Brisbane
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Daryl Douglas
- Posts: 1361
- Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 7:23 pm
- Location: Nth Qld
Michael McNally wrote:Daryl Douglas wrote:ChrisV wrote:Personally Sav Blanc would not be my choice with oysters... I would normally go for a sparkling white or a riesling.
Riesling for me.
I would have the riesling and skip the oysters. Blarrgghhh!!
I'm not an oyster aficianado, 3-4 is about max for me at a sitting and I prefer them, when au naturel, with a squeeze of lemon or lime and some salt - the result enhances riesling's fruit characters. Riesling also works well with good, basic oysters kilpatrick that've been lightly/medium grilled.
Indeed, an aquired taste are oysters. You probably don't like smoked salmon or sashimi either. Coral trout is excellent sashimi with light soy and wasabi paste. But you may enjoy beef carpaccio or steak tartare instead. I've had the former but the latter being essentially raw mince, has never appealed to me.
Feeling ill yet?
Cheers
daz