March - What have you been buying

[Craig(NZ)]

March 1st is a big release date for some big names. What have you bought? What are you skipping?

You know the drill, its what we part with our cash for that is the true wine accolade

C

[seddo]

Orlando Gramps Shiraz 06 x 6
Dutcshke St Jakobi 06 shiraz x5

cheers
Seddo

[Jay60A]

Another classic I could not pass up especially as it's a 96 and priced below the current 04 vintage.

6 x Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1996.

TN to follow soon ...

[Stavros]

1 x 2004 Hardy's Oomoo Sparkling Shiraz.
1 x 2005 Spinifex Esprit
1 x 2005 Turner's Crossing Shiraz Viogner
1 x 2009 Lawson's dry Hill's Sauv Blanc
2 x 2006 Deen De Bortoli Botrytis Semillon
1 x 2007 Higher Plane Chardonnay
1 x 2006 Voyager Chardonnay

...a real mish-mash there, with the Turner's, Spinifex and Lawson's found in a sale bin on the way to the checkout

S

[dazza1968]

Penfolds bin 28 07
penfolds Riesling reserve 05

99 and 97 leo buring riesling (Gone already)

regards Dazza

[AndrewCowley]

Another classic I could not pass up especially as it's a 96 and priced below the current 04 vintage.

6 x Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1996.

TN to follow soon ...

Good one. You should not be dissappointed. One of the best ever shiraz's I've ever had (not as experienced as many others here though).

[Chuck]

Jamiesons Run 1998 Alexander Block Cabernet x 6. A much unloved wine due to its label. Hope its just as good as the 2001 version that is awesome as too are the 2000 JR Winemakers Selection etc.

Windance 2008 Margaret River Reserve Cabernet and Reserve Shiraz. Never heard of them. Spec lot from auction just for my current love of MR.

Chuck

[daz]

Jamiesons Run 1998 Alexander Block Cabernet x 6. A much unloved wine due to its label. Hope its just as good as the 2001 version that is awesome as too are the 2000 JR Winemakers Selection etc.

Windance 2008 Margaret River Reserve Cabernet and Reserve Shiraz. Never heard of them. Spec lot from auction just for my current love of MR.

Chuck

Not sure if I've heard of the winery before either but it gets 5 stars from Halliday, the 07 reserve shiraz and cab 95 pts and 94pts respectively with a vintage rating of 8, the 08 vintage 9, so you may have bought well. Perhaps I have seen reviews in his monthly 100 at some stage as the name doesn't feel totally unfamiliar. "Drew and Rosemary Brent-White own this family business, situated 5 km south of Yallingup. Cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, sauvignon blanc, semillon and merlot have been established, incorporating sustainable land management and organic farming practices where possible. The wines are exclusively estate-grown, pricing fairly reflecting quality."

The Halliday Wine Companion website is a great resource, a bargain for the cost. I highly recommend it even if some automatically drop several points from his ratings. Mind you, I seen ratings of wines by other commentators several points higher than Halliday's too.

Cheers

daz

[Jay60A]

Another classic I could not pass up especially as it's a 96 and priced below the current 04 vintage.

6 x Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1996.

TN to follow soon ...

Good one. You should not be dissappointed. One of the best ever shiraz's I've ever had (not as experienced as many others here though).

You are in good company though ... Campbell Mattinson did in Stonewell vertical and this was the top vintage for him. Verticals of top wines tend to really highlight the very goods vs the greats.

Another '96 - only 2nd of Feb but an order I had put in during December was confirmed. Should be a nice drop. 12 x Wynns Black Label 1996

[Brucer]

24 x 2007 McGuigan Bin 9000 semillon

[pizzler]

(3) 2005 Rolf Binder/Veritas Shiraz Hanisch
(2) 2001 Clarendon Hills Grenache Old Vines Romas
(1) N.V. Seppelt Muscat GR113 Rare Rutherglen Muscat
(1) 2003 Tatiarra Shiraz Pressings Caravan of Dreams

Plus an assortment of white burgundies, Rhones, reislings, champagnes, etc. An eclectic month...

[Alex F]

Jamiesons Run 1998 Alexander Block Cabernet x 6. A much unloved wine due to its label.
Chuck

should be good, I drank 5 bottles of it over the last 3 years, the last one a year ago, they were all good.

[Peter NZ]

In the too-good-a-deal-to-pass-up category:

12 x 2005 Goldwater Goldie
3 x 1999 Goldwater Cab Merlot
3 x 2000 Goldwater Cab Merlot
3 x 2006 Goldwater Goldie
3 x 2005 Goldwater Esslin Merlot
12 x 2003 Te Awa Boundary

The Te Awa was a bit of a punt (generally lousy vintage & what looks like a belated labelling of the wine under the Boundary label) but I found a good review of Raymond Chan's & at $15 it's turned out to be a bargain -- good fruit & structure, & drinking very nicely now. It was interesting to see just how much of the Goldwater stock that FWDC were selling down -- implying problems moving the wine even well before the global financial crisis?

And on another visit to HB, picked up a mixed dozen at Esk Valley:

3 x 2007 Winemaker's Merlot Malbec Cab Sauv (what used to be 'reserve') -- was very impressed with this on tasting.
3 x 2007 Winemaker's Syrah
3 x 2008 Winemaker's Chardonnay
3 x 2009 Chenin Blanc

Cheers
Peter

[Craig(NZ)]

good fruit & structure, & drinking very nicely now. It was interesting to see just how much of the Goldwater stock that FWDC were selling down -- implying problems moving the wine even well before the global financial crisis?

yeah goldwater seemed to abandon the NZ market for quite a while chasing the export dollar. Maybe they were left high and dry? Maybe it is just getting some cash for stock after the recent change of hands?? The recent wines are pretty tidy but interesting to see that a winery that sold their wines for a few bucks less than Stonyridge a decade ago now sells for a tiny fraction of Larose.

The current wines are a lot more gentle and unassuming compared to the great early 90's vintages. I still believe the 94 Goldwater could be the longest living NZ wine I have ever tried. I am looking forward to dining at te Whau at my earliest excuse, I note they have this on their wine list at a fair price.

Esslin is a pretty wine but to me just lacks x factor and a bit of interest. 05 GZoldie is the pick out of the fwdc offer, so you shopped right there Peter

[Bick]

3 x 2009 Chenin Blanc

I'd be interested to hear what you think of this when you try it Peter. I enjoy a good chenin bl. Had a Francois Chidaine Vouvray 'Les Argiles' 2007 the other day - good, though I thought it not quite up to their Montlouis offering (not quite so luscious).

I've picked up just a few bottles for the cellar myself:

2 x Craggy Range Calvert Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 (suckered in by BC's suggestion its the best of the three wines to come from this vineyard, ahead of Felton Rd and Pyramid Valley. He gave it 98 (yes, I know pts are just pts, but 98 is a freaking lot of 'em! - and its a safe bet as I've loved this in past vintages)
3 x Te Mata Bullnose Syrah 2007
and another 3 x Church Rd Res Cab/Merlot 2007

I think I've ticked a good few of the Hawkes Bay 07 boxes now

[Mike Hawkins]

Yet again, some 1995 Dom Perignon Oenotheque. It continues to drop in price and I can't resist.

[monghead]

Another classic I could not pass up especially as it's a 96 and priced below the current 04 vintage.

6 x Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1996.

TN to follow soon ...

Good one. You should not be dissappointed. One of the best ever shiraz's I've ever had (not as experienced as many others here though).

You are in good company though ... Campbell Mattinson did in Stonewell vertical and this was the top vintage for him. Verticals of top wines tend to really highlight the very goods vs the greats.

Another '96 - only 2nd of Feb but an order I had put in during December was confirmed. Should be a nice drop. 12 x Wynns Black Label 1996

I was going to have a '96 Stonewell soon...

[monghead]

Yet again, some 1995 Dom Perignon Oenotheque. It continues to drop in price and I can't resist.

Noice.

Monghead.

[monghead]

3 x 2009 Chenin Blanc

I'd be interested to hear what you think of this when you try it Peter. I enjoy a good chenin bl. Had a Francois Chidaine Vouvray 'Les Argiles' 2007 the other day - good, though I thought it not quite up to their Montlouis offering (not quite so luscious).

I've picked up just a few bottles for the cellar myself:

2 x Craggy Range Calvert Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 (suckered in by BC's suggestion its the best of the three wines to come from this vineyard, ahead of Felton Rd and Pyramid Valley. He gave it 98 (yes, I know pts are just pts, but 98 is a freaking lot of 'em! - and its a safe bet as I've loved this in past vintages)
3 x Te Mata Bullnose Syrah 2007
and another 3 x Church Rd Res Cab/Merlot 2007

I think I've ticked a good few of the Hawkes Bay 07 boxes now

Mike, how does the Craggy Range Calvert PN compare in price to the Felton Road?

Thanx

Monghead.

[Bick]

Mike, how does the Craggy Range Calvert PN compare in price to the Felton Road?

Thanx

Monghead.

A bit cheaper, Monghead (at least by NZ RRP). Felton Road is NZD $55 - $60, while the Craggy Range RRP is about $50. I got my CR for $42/btl in a special offer. A "Winesearcher" search indicates the CR is avaliable in Aus, but prices on your side of the ditch start at about A$65 it seems. Importing from NZ may be the go...

[Boyeah]

Krug 1998 x2
Krug MVx4
Dom OEnothe'que 1995x2
Penfolds 389 2004X12
so far-
Cheers
Boyeah

[redwine]

Quite an expensive month, but found again some nice stuff....

2 x Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Ox 1999
1 x Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir A Capella 2000
1 x Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir No. 6 2001
2 x Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Omega 2003
2 x Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Covert Fingers 2004
1 x Sine Qua Non Syrah Atlantis Fe 2005
2 x Alban Vineyards Reva Syrah 1997

1 x Chateau Latour 1957
1 x Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 1978
1 x Chateau Cheval Blanc 1969
1 x Chateau Cheval Blanc 1984
1 x Chateau Guillemin La Gaffalière 1970
1 x Chateau Rieussec 1969
1 x Chateau Climens 1988
1 x Chateau Climens 1995
1 x Jaboulet-Vercherre Hermitage Rochefine 1974
1 x Francois Gros Richebourg 1976
2 x Jean Raphet Clos Vougeot 1985
5 x Rapet Pere & Fils Corton 1987
1 x Francois Gilles Puligny Montrachet 1989
6 x Michel Bouzereau Puligny-Montrachet Les Champs Gains 1989
1 x De Belgraves Charmes Chambertin 1991
2 x Armand Rousseau Chevrey-Chambertin 1997
6 x Michel Juillot Corton Charlemagne 1999
1 x Mas de Daumas Gassac 1999
12 x Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne 2005

1 x Bertani Amarone 1974
1 x Bertani Amarone 1979
2 x Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino 1977
3 x Beni Batasiolo Barolo Vigneto Boscareto 1985
3 x Gaja Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo 1988
1 x Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto 1997
3 x Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto 2003
2 x Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto 2005
1 x Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto 2006
2 x Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia 2005
6 x Romano Dal Forno Vigna Sera 2003

1 x Bodegas Roda Cirsion 2000

2 x Willi Schäfer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese 1998
1 x Schloss Saarstein Serriger Schloss Saarstein Auslese 1999
1 x Reinhold Haart Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese 2001
2 x Reinhold Haart Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese 2003 (Magnum)

Here also some comments about some wines we recently tasted:

Chateau Rocard 1957 (Sauternes): gone........
Chateau Gruaud Larose 1961: Slightly green in the nose, but once in the mouth it still a lovely wine with a long, long finish (91)
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1979: Wonderful wine, perfectly balanced, nice fruit and still going strong (95)
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1983: Also nicely balanced but not as good as the 79, still a great wine (90)
Chateau La Gaffeliere 1982: Still nicely drinking but a bit a disappointment for that year (85)
Chateau Angelus 1990: That's a wine you want to take to the lonely island, almost perfect (99)

Niepoort Vintage Port 1964: Wow, what an experience. Fruity, great balance, very good indeed (95)

Romano Dal Forno Amarone1993: The Amarone heaven, what a superb wine (94)
Quintarelli Amarone 1995: This is the stuff every wine drinker should have at least once in his life (98)

Cheers and happy drinking:

1.JPG

[Peter NZ]

3 x 2009 Chenin Blanc

I'd be interested to hear what you think of this when you try it Peter. I enjoy a good chenin blanc.

Won't be opening these for 3 or 4 years Bick, as I really enjoy these with a bit of age. Sample at cellar door was good though -- plenty of concentration & stonefruit flavour -- stylistically not the same as a Loire Chenin.

Cheers
Peter

[Mike Hawkins]

Krug 1998 x2
Krug MVx4
Dom OEnothe'que 1995x2
Penfolds 389 2004X12
so far-
Cheers
Boyeah

Nice line up. All excellent purchases IMO.

Mike

[seddo]

4 x Glaetzer Anaperenna 06

cheers
Seddo

[rooman]

2 x Willi Schäfer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese 1998

Redwine

I will be really interested to know what you think of these. I have put away a few of the 07 & 08 and from I am told, around now the 98 should start to be opening up.

Mark

[ross67]

Barossa Vale Wines 'Gibson's' Shiraz 2002
Best's Great Western Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Henry's Drive Shiraz 2000
Rusden 'Christine's Vineyard' Grenache 2004
The Story Shiraz Grampians 2007
Two Hands 'Angels Share' 2001


ross

[redwine]

2 x Willi Schäfer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese 1998

Redwine

I will be really interested to know what you think of these. I have put away a few of the 07 & 08 and from I am told, around now the 98 should start to be opening up.

Mark

Mark
I will open one at the next best opportunity and let you know accordingly. As far as I had experience with German Rieslings, they were all great stuff, never really had a disappointment.

Cheers.

[monghead]

Quite an expensive month, but found again some nice stuff....

2 x Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Ox 1999
1 x Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir A Capella 2000
1 x Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir No. 6 2001
2 x Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Omega 2003
2 x Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Covert Fingers 2004
1 x Sine Qua Non Syrah Atlantis Fe 2005
2 x Alban Vineyards Reva Syrah 1997

1 x Chateau Latour 1957
1 x Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 1978
1 x Chateau Cheval Blanc 1969
1 x Chateau Cheval Blanc 1984
1 x Chateau Guillemin La Gaffalière 1970
1 x Chateau Rieussec 1969
1 x Chateau Climens 1988
1 x Chateau Climens 1995
1 x Jaboulet-Vercherre Hermitage Rochefine 1974
1 x Francois Gros Richebourg 1976
2 x Jean Raphet Clos Vougeot 1985
5 x Rapet Pere & Fils Corton 1987
1 x Francois Gilles Puligny Montrachet 1989
6 x Michel Bouzereau Puligny-Montrachet Les Champs Gains 1989
1 x De Belgraves Charmes Chambertin 1991
2 x Armand Rousseau Chevrey-Chambertin 1997
6 x Michel Juillot Corton Charlemagne 1999
1 x Mas de Daumas Gassac 1999
12 x Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne 2005

1 x Bertani Amarone 1974
1 x Bertani Amarone 1979
2 x Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino 1977
3 x Beni Batasiolo Barolo Vigneto Boscareto 1985
3 x Gaja Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo 1988
1 x Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto 1997
3 x Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto 2003
2 x Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto 2005
1 x Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto 2006
2 x Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia 2005
6 x Romano Dal Forno Vigna Sera 2003

1 x Bodegas Roda Cirsion 2000

2 x Willi Schäfer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese 1998
1 x Schloss Saarstein Serriger Schloss Saarstein Auslese 1999
1 x Reinhold Haart Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese 2001
2 x Reinhold Haart Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese 2003 (Magnum)

Here also some comments about some wines we recently tasted:

Chateau Rocard 1957 (Sauternes): gone........
Chateau Gruaud Larose 1961: Slightly green in the nose, but once in the mouth it still a lovely wine with a long, long finish (91)
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1979: Wonderful wine, perfectly balanced, nice fruit and still going strong (95)
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1983: Also nicely balanced but not as good as the 79, still a great wine (90)
Chateau La Gaffeliere 1982: Still nicely drinking but a bit a disappointment for that year (85)
Chateau Angelus 1990: That's a wine you want to take to the lonely island, almost perfect (99)

Niepoort Vintage Port 1964: Wow, what an experience. Fruity, great balance, very good indeed (95)

Romano Dal Forno Amarone1993: The Amarone heaven, what a superb wine (94)
Quintarelli Amarone 1995: This is the stuff every wine drinker should have at least once in his life (98)

Cheers and happy drinking:

1.JPG

Redwine, where do you get these wines from? Auction?

Cheers,

Monghead.

[monghead]

In a moment of weakness,

3x 2008 Craggy Range Calvert Pinot Noir
3x 2007 Craggy Range Sophia
3x 2004 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon
3x 2004 Hardys Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon

Cheers,

Monghead.