Sunday just keeps rolling around

[Chuck]

Lots of generally good and quaffable wine with Vasse Felix 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon a highlight. First tried at my father's wake last year this is just the ticket. Just yummy. Still very young but like MR stuff quite approachable in its youth. Another 5-10 years can only improve.

Dad would have approved.

Lunched at The Lane winery/restaurant yesterday to continue education of our 14 YO lad in fine dining. He tried and passed even resisting temptation of licking the chocolate desert bowl that deserved licking. The wines are good. Nice Pinot Grigio- slightly wooded with Tuna tartare and Shiraz Viognier with blue Coorong scotch fillet plus mustard and relishes went down a treat but prices were a little over the top. , $40 steak, $35 Pinot Grigio and $65 Shiraz Viognier (cellar door prices) seem at tad high. Interestingly they have no sparkling, fortifieds or spirits and I would have murdered a cognac. Sated that need with a Hennesy VSOP Cognac and a good B&H Smooth at home on return

Also last week a Leconfield 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon that really was the goods.

Chuck

[Ian S]

It's pleasing to know that Ric's OK. I've visited Torbwine recently, have a vague idea of his situation, wanted to acknowledge his contributions to the forum over many years. After all, it was he who on the old Winepros forum referred me to Auswine and *forum. Here's hoping that in the not too distant future, he, yourself and the pie king can set off on another vinous tour so we can all enjoy the diary of it. Incidentally, it was I who suggested he gather the tour diaries under the one link on Torbwine.

Please pass to him my personal best regards and best wishes for his improving health, he is missed.

daz

Just a quick note to back this up. Ric has been a star in the Aussie wine fora for as long as I've known them. The absolutely important thing is that he regains his health and I'd very much add my best wishes to him in that respect. It would be great to see him back on the scene, when he's fit, ready and up to it.
regards
Ian

[Bick]

2008 Church Road Reserve Syrah Thought I'd better give this a go after noticing a pretty good online discounted price ... too young to really get to grips with it, but 1st impression is that, while very good, it's a notch or two below the outstanding '06 & '07.

Interesting, thanks for that. 2008 wasn't quite as good a vintage in HB, I think - though very good up in Auckland. I think I've heard that 09 should be good again in HB though? Anyone else heard anything on this?

There were heavy rains at the end of the 08 vintage, so it depends if people picked before then. 09 was a cracker. Set to outshine 07, which was already been hailed as one of the all-time greats.

Thanks Euro. Its a reminder that we needn't panic if we seem to have missed out on a particular wine from a great vintage - the next great vintage is always just round the corner!

[Craig(NZ)]

my impression so far is that 08 aint a flash hawkes bay vintage at all. ive tried not a comprehensive line up but enough to get an idea of a trend. tried a couple of 07 vs 08's on same labels and have to agree, 08 not flash no matter what some say.

but thats ok 08 in auckland was stunning so thats where my buying will be going!!


09 in Hawkes Bay looks v good - hot like 98, though remember the Mission Lionel ritchie concert cancellation?? That was a very wet weekend in late Feb. Maybe God was just being kind to us and decided we shouldnt be subjected to that music!!

[Craig(NZ)]

There were heavy rains at the end of the 08 vintage, so it depends if people picked before then. 09 was a cracker. Set to outshine 07, which was already been hailed as one of the all-time greats.

oh and some great 07 buys at the mo. ive had 07 villa cellar selection mer cab for less than $12 from pns recently and see thay have 07 wild rock merlot malbec for $13.89 this week too!

thats great buying from a great vintage!

[Bick]

ive had 07 villa cellar selection mer cab for less than $12 from pns recently

Yep, I've got a bunch of these in a wooden case, nailed shut and hidden behind a load of old junk under the house. I'm determined to keep some cheap, quality 07 to enjoy in 5-10+ years time. It will be a great experiment to see how well a cheap kiwi red can last, and unless I nail a box shut I know I'll only raid the case cos its so cheap! GK seems to think this has 15 years life, and I plan to test his theory for once. I'll let you know how it drinks in... well... 10-15 years!

[Craig(NZ)]

I keep thinking if that 07 villa cs merlot cab was sold in the nineties in a small/med winery from Hawkes Bay it would have a $35-50 price tag on it.

Even today there are plenty of wineries that couldnt put out a bdx styled red that good for twice the price

I gotta get a few more of those 07 church rd reserve cab merlots too for cellaring next time pns has them on special

[Peter NZ]

I gotta get a few more of those 07 church rd reserve cab merlots too for cellaring next time pns has them on special

$26 on Blackmarket at present ($20 for the '07 Cuve Cab Sauv & Merlots, & good prices on a few others including the '08 Reserve Syrah). And I picked up a bottle of the Cab Merlot for $28 at Foodtown last night -- hard to ignore these prices, but the cellar's overflowing ...

[Mike Hawkins]

Nice line up dave. I'd be interested in the ones below, especially the 375 Anniversaire.

Thanks

Mike
Trimbach Clos Ste Hune Riesling 1998
Trimbach Frederic emile Riesling 2000
Trimbach Frederic Emile Riesling 2001
Penfolds Bin 60A 1962
Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile Cuvee 375 Annee 2001

[DaveB]

Nice line up dave. I'd be interested in the ones below, especially the 375 Anniversaire.

Thanks

Mike
Trimbach Clos Ste Hune Riesling 1998
Trimbach Frederic emile Riesling 2000
Trimbach Frederic Emile Riesling 2001
Penfolds Bin 60A 1962
Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile Cuvee 375 Annee 2001

Hi Mike..

The Clos ste Hune was all you'd expect....just a beautiful pure wine, amazing texture and drive...not the most stellar of vintages but its pedigree shone through.

The Frederic Emile 2000 was very expressive and forward, a lovely wine but I prefered the 2001....better structure, detail and tension.

The 60A was a beautiful old girl....we chose the bottle with the best level from the cellar...hadn't been to the clinic and well into the neck....the owner said he'd seen better examples....me too possibly but I thought it was lovely.

The Trimbach Cuvee 375 was the pick of the Freddie Emiles....pure and focussed with an unwavering line and laser-like precision....superb tension between the acid and fruit....excellent stuff!

Cheers

Dave

[Mike Hawkins]

Thanks Dave,

I'm a huge fan of the 2001 CFE. The best since 1990 IMO. I bought, but haven't yet tried the 375 Anniversaire. Is it still reasonably dry?

Cheers

Mike