April - what have you been buying?

[Pat]

1 x 2004 Voyager Estate Cab Sav merlot
1 x 2004 Wynns Cab Sav

Possibly for sons 21st in 2025

[daz]

Went big on Tahbilk

A box of the Classic Dry White 2008 (ordered one several weeks ago but forgot to change the delivery address so it went to the bro I sent one to a while ago. He telephoned - hasn't yet gone through half of the first )

Also a couple of Wine Club Special Offers:

Three Decades of Cabernet 6pk:

1 x random btl from the 80s - hoping for 81 or 86 - had a couple of 81 already and it was a bloody nice aged wine -and still varietal
1 x 1991 - 94pt review from Halliday's tasting at the 150yr Tahbilk anniversary
1 x 1995 - this could be interesting - Halliday's 80pt from 97 doesn't really reflect his tn
1 x 2000 - Halliday's 93pts at the 150th tasting may reflect an improvement with age - 87 pts in 2002 - or his more recent higher ratings
1 x 2003 - Not particularly varietal but still 91pts from Halliday's 150th tasting - the shiraz I've had was pretty good
1 x 2006 - this one has had very good reviews including TWF and Halliday, I think it'll need to be cellared for some time but anyway ==>>

I've not had any marsanne, riesling nor viognier from Tahbilk for some time, especially the latter, so

Special Offer "Seen In The Media" 12pk:

2 x Marsanne 2009 - 91pts Halliday, "not destined to be great" but if I can restrain myself, the 2nd btl will be bloody nice after 7+ yrs
2 x Riesling 2009 - don't care much what anyone else thinks, I like Tahbilk riesling, have tried it 10yo, CM liked the 08
2 x Viognier 2009 - haven't had this since the 2nd vintage (?), looking forward to tasting it, Tahbilk wines mostly have varietal character
3 x Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - the main reason I ordered this selection (the tomato relish is a tasty bonus)
3 x Shiraz 2006 - this could be a sleeper, JH thought it needs time to integrate, CM rated it 93pts, likened acid and tannins to nebbiolo

As you have undoubtably now deduced, as well as being a Tahbilkiste, I also rely on JH, CM and GW for wine assessments. I've focussed on the cab 06 based on the reviews from JH and CM, the former noting its tannins. I'm peeved with myself that I neglected to ask for a couple of bottles of the cab shiraz 96 to be somehow shoehorned into the boxes before despatch. For those who haven't tried it, the dominant cab tannins are instructive, a reason I'm anticipating tasting the cab 06 based on JH's review.

Cheers

daz

[Bick]

I like it when poeple know what they like, daz, and you're a confirmed Tahlbilk man, and proud of it! I've only ever had one btl of Tahbilk (a marsanne) - you can't get it this side of the ditch, really. I feel from all your posts on it, I must be missing out.

[monghead]

2x 1996 Chave Hermitage rouge.

[griff]

2x 1996 Chave Hermitage rouge.

Oh you got some! I hope they shine.

cheers

Carl

[daz]

I like it when poeple know what they like, daz, and you're a confirmed Tahlbilk man, and proud of it! I've only ever had one btl of Tahbilk (a marsanne) - you can't get it this side of the ditch, really. I feel from all your posts on it, I must be missing out.

Not just me Bick! A search under Tahbilk on TWF reveals CM and GW also have a healthy regard for the winery and most of the wines reviewed. There are others here who also seem to appreciate Tahbilk and it's wines. A general improvement in quality has been evident to me since the late 90s, but is of course subject to vintage variation.

According to Halliday some of the 1860s shiraz vines were lost to frost some time in the last few years with recent production reduce to about 100 dozen. I guess that explains the price increase over the last five or so year but then ~$120/btl doesn't seem too excessive viewed in context.

Cheers

daz

[daz]

I like it when poeple know what they like, daz, and you're a confirmed Tahlbilk man, and proud of it! I've only ever had one btl of Tahbilk (a marsanne) - you can't get it this side of the ditch, really. I feel from all your posts on it, I must be missing out.

Not just me Bick! A search under Tahbilk on TWF reveals CM and GW also have a healthy regard for the winery and most of the wines reviewed. There are others here who also seem to appreciate Tahbilk and it's wines. A general improvement in quality has been evident to me since the late 90s, but is of course subject to vintage variation.

According to Halliday some of the 1860s shiraz vines were lost to frost some time in the last few years with recent production reduced to about 100 dozen. I guess that explains the price increase over the last five or so year but then ~$120/btl doesn't seem too excessive viewed in context.

Cheers

daz

[monghead]

2x 1996 Chave Hermitage rouge.

Oh you got some! I hope they shine.

cheers

Carl

I hope so too. They were too good to pass up, as they were half price. I just hope they have had a good home the last 12 years...

Monghead.

[griff]

2x 1996 Chave Hermitage rouge.

Oh you got some! I hope they shine.

cheers

Carl

I hope so too. They were too good to pass up, as they were half price. I just hope they have had a good home the last 12 years...

Monghead.

I know it is a thread drift but did you go to the tasting as well? If so what did you like/dislike?

cheers

Carl

[Craig(NZ)]

INteresting. Will have to put that on my list. I am on a NZ syrah quest at the moment.

My current favourites;

Craggy Range Le Sol, 2002, 2005, 2007.
Bilancia La Collina 2002
Awaroa "Melba Peach" reserve syrah 2008(?maybe 07).

The Bilancia Syrah viognier 2007 is good value for money too, though not in the same league.

How does it compare to any of those wines, would you say?

The Stonyridge Pigrim is very much more a true gsm type wine, maybe it is NZ's CM Nine popes!?? It is extremely fragrant and complete, svelte and sexy with sweet spiced textured black fruit - even hints of candied orange/peel etc. it has a bit of x factor and point of difference. I see it just picked up a gold at Royal Easter Show Wine competition so good to see judges getting something right hehe Rare wine though...4 barrels from memory. i know one auckland retailer that has it.

The other wines you list are right up there too of course. 02 and 07 Le Sol are absolute front rank wines. I rate the 05 as a bit behind the other two vintages (to me the alc was a bit too obvious). 02 La Collina also is a ripper, as with the 02 Le Sol, it is quite a big statement wine. La Collina from other years can be exceptional too, I loved the 06.

08 in general on waiheke was excellent. Another I really thought was special was the 08 Mudbrick Syrah which also has won gold - very classy stuff. The 08 Passage Rock Reserve Syrah is also very good though probably for me a notch behind the Mudbrick and Stonyridge.

Another Syrah i would really recommend which i gave my 'Syrah of the Year' to last year is the 07 Stonecroft. It is a classic and a bargain really at $45. Very Regal and idling stuff. Also of course the Trinity Hill Homage is pretty special but also its pretty expensive!

There are a good selection of Syrahs that sit just below the likes of the above in quality but they are significantly cheaper too. Just depends what style rings your bells but producers like Church Rd, Vidals, Esk, Villa, Unison and the likes make tidy stuff at $30-50. Most of which should cellar well.

As a very general rule of thumb for NZ reds in general when looking at bdx blends and syrah 07 = Hawkes Bay, 08 = Waiheke, 09 = Both, 10 (vintage underway) = Waiheke

[monghead]

I know it is a thread drift but did you go to the tasting as well? If so what did you like/dislike?

cheers

Carl

Sheesh Carl,

You do seem to know almost everything!

Yes, they were purchased from UWC, but no, I didn't attend the tasting. I was only really in and out early to grab the pair, then scoot off to a lunch commitment.

Even though in Perth, are you still on the UWC mailer?

Although they probably have the best range in Sydney, I think they are a little pricey. Their specials though, are reasonable. Would you agree?

Cheers,

Monghead.

[orpheus]

INteresting. Will have to put that on my list. I am on a NZ syrah quest at the moment.

My current favourites;

Craggy Range Le Sol, 2002, 2005, 2007.
Bilancia La Collina 2002
Awaroa "Melba Peach" reserve syrah 2008(?maybe 07).

The Bilancia Syrah viognier 2007 is good value for money too, though not in the same league.

How does it compare to any of those wines, would you say?

The Stonyridge Pigrim is very much more a true gsm type wine, maybe it is NZ's CM Nine popes!?? It is extremely fragrant and complete, svelte and sexy with sweet spiced textured black fruit - even hints of candied orange/peel etc. it has a bit of x factor and point of difference. I see it just picked up a gold at Royal Easter Show Wine competition so good to see judges getting something right hehe Rare wine though...4 barrels from memory. i know one auckland retailer that has it.

The other wines you list are right up there too of course. 02 and 07 Le Sol are absolute front rank wines. I rate the 05 as a bit behind the other two vintages (to me the alc was a bit too obvious). 02 La Collina also is a ripper, as with the 02 Le Sol, it is quite a big statement wine. La Collina from other years can be exceptional too, I loved the 06.

08 in general on waiheke was excellent. Another I really thought was special was the 08 Mudbrick Syrah which also has won gold - very classy stuff. The 08 Passage Rock Reserve Syrah is also very good though probably for me a notch behind the Mudbrick and Stonyridge.

Another Syrah i would really recommend which i gave my 'Syrah of the Year' to last year is the 07 Stonecroft. It is a classic and a bargain really at $45. Very Regal and idling stuff. Also of course the Trinity Hill Homage is pretty special but also its pretty expensive!

There are a good selection of Syrahs that sit just below the likes of the above in quality but they are significantly cheaper too. Just depends what style rings your bells but producers like Church Rd, Vidals, Esk, Villa, Unison and the likes make tidy stuff at $30-50. Most of which should cellar well.

As a very general rule of thumb for NZ reds in general when looking at bdx blends and syrah 07 = Hawkes Bay, 08 = Waiheke, 09 = Both, 10 (vintage underway) = Waiheke

Thanks for that comprehensive reply.

Having now tasted a few more Syrah, I can say;

Vidal reserve 2006 syrah is definitely not my style. There is some underripe fruit, giving an undercurrent of sour tamarillo. Perhaps it will improve. Perhaps Vidal are going for a very "European" savoury style. It seems almost Italian.

Bilancia "La Collina" 2007 is not a patch on the Craggy Range at this stage, lacking weight and concentration, and it makes me think that 2002 was a stunning Hawkes Bay vintage for syrah.

[Craig(NZ)]

Yeah 2002 was a great hb syrah vintage, a watershed one. especially if you like that big bold style of wine or a wine to cellar. you could argue some of them are a "bit much" off the bat but guess it depends what spins yr wheels

I haven't tried the 07 La Collina yet or the 07 Homage

[Fortune 3rd reg. attempt]

12 x 2008 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz - a great deal from one of the chains at the moment. Hope the 08 is as good as the 07.

[quip]

Another trip to the Martinborough office in NZ, loaded up on a mixed case of the 08 Escarpment single vineyard wines, Kupe, Pahi (ex Voyager), Te Rehua and Kiwa (ex Moana).
Cheers
Andrew

[Waiters Friend]

I stopped buying because the cellar's approaching capacity........

....but got a case each of Xabregas shiraz and show reserve riesling at a price I couldn't refuse.

Now I really HAVE stopped buying...........

[Julio G]

1 x Peltier 430 Wine Cabinet

expensive month!

[Jay60A]

12 x Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2003.

[griff]

Sheesh Carl,

You do seem to know almost everything!

Yes, they were purchased from UWC, but no, I didn't attend the tasting. I was only really in and out early to grab the pair, then scoot off to a lunch commitment.

Even though in Perth, are you still on the UWC mailer?

Although they probably have the best range in Sydney, I think they are a little pricey. Their specials though, are reasonable. Would you agree?

Cheers,

Monghead.

I replied but can't find it? Anyway. I agree with your summary of Ultimo. I think I stay on the list to be able to pine after the tastings. Very little opportunity in Perth

cheers

Carl

[pc79]

3 Voyager Estate Shiraz 2008
6 Cape Mentelle Margaret River Shiraz 2007
2 Tuesner Avatar GSM 2006
2 Penfolds Bin 389 2007
2 Penfolds Bin 138 2008
2 Penfolds Bin 128 2008
2 Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2007
2 Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay 2005
3 Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay 2008
2 Devils Lair Chardonnay 2008
3 Pewsey Vale Reisling 2009
6 Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling - hard to beat for value at $6.30/bottle

Cellar getting a little full now.

[JamieBahrain]

12 x 2004 Brunello di Montalcino, Riserva, Il Poggione

12 x 2007 Puligny-Montrachet, Les Referts, 1er Cru, Jean-Philippe Fichet

[AndrewCowley]

6x 2007 John Duval Entity Shiraz: My collection is sadly lacking in Barossa Shiraz, making a start at correcting this.
6x 2004 Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot: Yay, finally got some after reading about it for so long.

[monghead]

3x 2004 Jacobs Creek Johann Shiraz Cabernet
2x 1994 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Suavignon
2x 2006 Yalumba Menzies
2x 2002 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Suavignon
3x 2006 Seppelt St Peters Shiraz

Monghead.

[Mike Hawkins]

12 x 2004 Brunello di Montalcino, Riserva, Il Poggione

Nice wine.....

[JamieBahrain]

Mike I can't find a note on it. I was after their regular bottling but it sold out incredibly fast. So too did the reserve but I managed to secure a case.

[Craig(NZ)]

06 Bell Hill Pinot Noir
09 Felton Rd Block 1 Riesling
09 Riverby Noble Riesling

Quite an amusing performance to get hold of the Bell Hill, so much so the actual drinking of it could be a let down! Since you kiwis all know i am a kind and generous man i may just bring one to the penciled in nz cults offline whenever it may eventuate

[rooman]

12 x Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2003.

Excellent buying. I don't really want to know what they cost you in the UK, I don't really.

[rooman]

06 Bell Hill Pinot Noir

Quite an amusing performance to get hold of the Bell Hill, so much so the actual drinking of it could be a let down! Since you kiwis all know i am a kind and generous man i may just bring one to the penciled in nz cults offline whenever it may eventuate

As I recall, I tried the Bell Hill last year at the wine tasting place in the middle of queenstown mall. If you only have one, you might want to consider holding it for a while. From what I can remember, it was still quite a tannic robust brute of a wine. I think it needs heaps of time, especially given its price.

[Matt]

4 x Evans and Tate - Reserve Shiraz 2005
1 x Brown Hill - Finiston Shiraz 2008

[Craig(NZ)]

As I recall, I tried the Bell Hill last year at the wine tasting place in the middle of queenstown mall. If you only have one, you might want to consider holding it for a while. From what I can remember, it was still quite a tannic robust brute of a wine. I think it needs heaps of time, especially given its price.

I am not really sure why i bought it - just the opportunity presented itself and I knew it wouldn't again (such a brilliant marketing strategy to control supply in that manner) Maybe I am too much of a trophy hunter, I think I just am making a concerted effort to try one or two South Island cult wines to balance out my Hawkes bay bias a bit. Also I guess I have drunk all my high end pinot and have none any more in the cellar and they nice for a special occassion with da wife. All my mbv reserve is gone, all my felton rd blocks, all my gibbston reserve and all my dry river gone gone gone