Weekend Drinkies 10/11 April???

[TiggerK]

Ok all what are we enjoying (or not) this weekend??

As for me...

Thalgara Show Reserve Hunter Shiraz 1998 - picked these up cheaply at auction... I suspect it was an anti-brettite seller getting rid of their bretty wines. Fantastic cork, barely a few mm of stain, in the decanter the brett/oxidised note was there, but overall it still smelt good. After half an hour the first glass was a great combo of leather, rich plummy fruit with the brett overtones adding some interest albeit a touch distractingly. With time and breathing it integrated a little better, I got used to it and actually quite enjoyed it, within reason. Good.

This whole brett debate is fascinating. Amazing that there are so many people who unknowingly loved the character that brett gave to their wines (both French and New World), but now are revolted by it since it has a name and is often considered a fault. I'm on the fence at this stage. A touch will be fine, but too much will detract from the fruit which can never be a good thing.

Teusner Avatar Shiraz 2006 - Lovely wine, all the balance is there with great fruit and such terrific QPR. If he's this good so young, Kym is going to be a true wine legend during the next few decades. Maybe we should be buying more of his wines before the hype really kicks in? Very Good

Cheers
TiggerK

[monghead]

2007 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir- Very Good.
2007 Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlot- Dang it, second time in a week! Sub Good.
2007 Maison Leroy Bourgogne- Very Very Good.

Monghead.

[Wayno]

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet 1996
Never thought much of this label but this was pretty darn good. Quite a distinct bricking - looked a bit sherry like and on first sniff thought similarly however after a few minutes this presented very well. Classic Penfolds 96 style- classy oak, still good fruit, great balance and a good, long finish. Lacking the X factor of it's cousin the 389, this was nevertheless an excellent wine in great shape and with plenty of time on it's side. Highlight.

[rens]

Teusner Avatar Shiraz 2006 - Lovely wine, all the balance is there with great fruit and such terrific QPR. If he's this good so young, Kim is going to be a true wine legend during the next few decades. Maybe we should be buying more of his wines before the hype really kicks in? Very Good

Cheers
TiggerK

Totally agree. I have several of these stashed and a few more of Kim's offerings in the cellar.

[Sean O'Sullivan]

deleted

[Chuck]

The usual good but not great wines this week were overshadowed at a friend's 50th birthday bash where he opened his dream cellar to about 70. Now a party is not the right place to really get into some super wines and the glassware was hire stuff but we were treated to a stunning range. I can't remember the specific vintages and there were many of each however they were from early 90's to 2000 and included:

Wendouree Shiraz
Wendouree Shiraz Malbec
Rockford Cabernet
Rockford Basket Press. Many vintages.
Penfolds 389 (1 Magnum), 128, 28, 407. A number had labels eaten away by bugs in the cellar and the vintages not available but I did note a good bottle of '96
Wynns Black Label
Steingarten Riesling
Cloudy Bay something

And many many more that are just a blur. 4 hour sleep and then up for golf where I was probably still under the influence. Needless to say the golf was decidedly average. My partners suggest a bottle of Grange Shiraz with lunch which I declined. No I'm not crazy. We were playing at the Grange Golf Club and it's their house label. Generally pretty good and current stuff tastes like something from Adelaide Hills.

Off to bed now to rest the liver and dream of a great night full of great food, wine and partying. It was 60's dress up night and our host came as St Peppers noting it was 40 years to the day the Beatles split. Feeling a little old I do.

Chuck

[Roddy]

Had a 2005 Old Block, smashing really......beautiful medium weighted balance. The 2005 Godolphin we had at the same time was an absolute monster in comparison, though still lovely and with many years left in the tank. Old Block for wine of the BBQ.

[TiggerK]

Louis Latour Nuits St Georges 2005 - Splashed out $90 on this tonight at DM feeling like (and hoping for) a semi decent Burgundy... But I'll never learn, why do I bother?? French wine is such such an expensive lottery here in Oz, with odds close to the weekly superdraw. Closed and yes more closed for hours. Now starting to show a tiny bit of interest, but mainly alcohol with some tannins and acid on the finish. I'll have to suspect a heat stressed bottle, but can't risk buying another in order to find out. Very sadly, Sub Good.

I put the other half of the bottle into a 375ml and into the fridge, see how it goes tomorrow, but not expecting anything.....

Cheers
TiggerK

P.S Luckily Weihenstephaner Kristall Weissbier was here to save the day. Bloody marvellous beer, always drink from a glass. Very likely edging out Little Creatures Pale Ale for my all time favourite beer.... Out Of Control Beer Good.

(and they do a 0.5% beer which is actually quite good for those (almost) 'AFD')

[Mike Hawkins]

2003 Cos d'Estournel - this is the real deal. Great nose and flavour profiles, goes on and on. A new world lovers style of Bordeaux. Superb, and will be even better in 2025.

2003 Schubert Estate Goose Yard Block Shiraz - rich and long. Just what you'd expect from a Roenfeldt Rd vineyard. Really good for the vintage.