Sunday drinking reports 9/10

[Sean]

deleted

[Chuck]

Mildara 2006 Coonawarra Cabernet. This used to be a lighter style wine but this is full bodied 15% job. Almost Barossa in style. Lovely fruit but needs a lot more time in the cellar.

Carl

[Craig(NZ)]

While watching the only unbeaten team remaining in the world cup hit the semi finals....

2005 Passage Rock Reserve Syrah. Still quite primary but drinking well. Fantastic marshmellow texture, rich full silky fruit. Really good, this has improved since release even.

2000 Stonyridge Larose. The one i picked up for $25. Just stunning, smashed the passage rock. Stunning nose of violet and graphite, long palate with dusty tannins and juicy multi faceted fruit. Just amazing, one of the very best wines I have drunk this year. Showed way better than I remember it at the vertical tasting we had a couple of years back.

[daz]

My first taste of Best's Great Western wines were the two whites, riesling 2011 and chardonnay 2010. The riesling was sweet, I think more so than off-dry but unmistakably varietal, the chardonnay was also varietal, beneath the seriously dominant oak. I've yet to taste the current release cab sauv and bin 1 shiraz but not expecting any more than a Brown Bros experience. Christmas is only weeks away......

[orpheus]

While watching the only unbeaten team remaining in the world cup hit the semi finals....

2005 Passage Rock Reserve Syrah. Still quite primary but drinking well. Fantastic marshmellow texture, rich full silky fruit. Really good, this has improved since release even.

2000 Stonyridge Larose. The one i picked up for $25. Just stunning, smashed the passage rock. Stunning nose of violet and graphite, long palate with dusty tannins and juicy multi faceted fruit. Just amazing, one of the very best wines I have drunk this year. Showed way better than I remember it at the vertical tasting we had a couple of years back.

Yes, the Passage Rock reserve syrah is an excellent wine. The 2008 is superb.

[qwertt]

While watching the only unbeaten team remaining in the world cup hit the semi finals....

Every team will have to lose at least once

[orpheus]

While watching the only unbeaten team remaining in the world cup hit the semi finals....

Every team will have to lose at least once

Didn't see that in the rule book anywhere....

[sjw_11]

Wynns BL Cabernet 2005... Still youthful, opens up nicely in the glass. Quite rich and ripe, finishing a tad warm.

Hugh Hamilton The Strumpet Pinot Chardonnay 2005... Not sure these guys have made a white bubblie before but this is a passing good effort. Very youthful despite extended tirage. Fresh, fruit driven flavours. Lacking the complexity of top examples, but a pleasant sparkler.

Marquis Phillips "9" Shiraz 2004... A RPJ fruit bomb, failed US export label type special, 16.5% alcohol. Not quite sure what I was keeping it for. Suprisingly didn't die over 3 days open. Noticeably porty, with ultra sweet fruit, but not completely cooked. Threw a prodigious crust. Not exactly balanced, but not awful.

Briar Ridge Merlot (Hunter Valley) 2010... Green, unripe, tart were words that came to mind. Lacking weight in the palate. Why they make a hunter merlot like this when their better wines are so superb I do not know.

Briar Ridge Verdelho "Homestead" 2011... Not my favourite grape, but this is lip smackingly fresh with racy acidity offsetting a touch of sweetness. On the leaner side of Verdelho, not just a sweet and sickly fruit salad. Crisp and refreshing.

Hugh Hamilton The Ratbag Merlot 2009... Hoping to redeem non-specialist producers' merlots after the Briar Ridge. On opening looks and feels a little like all their wines: dense colour, intense, ripe nose (not cooked or over-ripe though). With air becomes a little leaner, with cooler mulberry, and some slightly green characters entering. Balanced and weighty on the palate, drinking well or give it 2-3yrs (the HH merlots always seem to benefit from a couple of yrs laying down).

[via collins]

Pennyweight 2010 chardonnay - cheesy funk upon opening which blew off fairly quickly. golden late autumn colour in the glass, and a sharp, focussed attack of stone fruits & citrus on the fore-palate. Falls off to a dry, thin-boned body that has early elements of a yeasty, almondy back-bone. Very good wine from Beechworth, I suspect it's got a long way to go.

Azienda Cos - Cerasuolo di Vittorio Classico 2008 nero d'avola - bitter herbs and spice, dark cherry notes in a graceful, medium bodied Sicilian. Crazy fun bottle too. Look forward to some more of this one.

Foster e Rocco rose 2010 - every spring I fall in love with another rose, just can't seem to stick with the one wine. This one is slightly tart in the raspberry elements, just a little heavier body than usual, and some nice savoury elements too. No cordial at all this baby, and I'll be spending more sunshine time with her this year.

[markg]

Our annual dinner hosted by Gary & Chris Saturday night.. Fantastic food, great company and terrific wines.

Off the top of my head:

NV Vouette sorbee Champagne
Fantastic.. great flavours of honeysuckle, hazelnut & citrus rind. Clean finish.

2002 Dom Perignon
Very nice champagne, dry, cookie dough and pecan but overshadowed by the Vouette.

Jean Claude Boisset 2005 Puligny Montrachet
Fabulous. A little Parmesan, lightly oily texture, toasted cashews.

Penfolds 1990 Bin 920 Cabernet Shiraz
Wine of the night. Awesome, ageing beautifuly. Cigar box and leather, with layers of dusty mulberry & elegant blackberry. The Cab Shiraz blend is just fantastic and these old Penfolds special bin wines are absolutely world class !!

1996 Greenock Creek Roenfeldt Rd Shiraz
Intense liquor blueberry and fine berry overshadowed by excess of alcohol.

2007 Chateau Doisy Daine barsac
fresh, lively, lovely texture.

Plus a stack more...

[tpang]

Arboleda Chardonnay 2008, Colcagua
$20. I think the current vintage is 2010. Pale straw color with lifted nots of oak, cashews and white peach. Initial racy acidity, flavours of white peach, nouget and a dash of sweet baking spice. Well-balanced wine, clean finish. Drink now but will keep for a couple more years.

Dexter Pinot Noir 2009, Mornington Peninsula
$44 from Cloudwine. 360 case produced. Grapes from a small vineyard planted with 22yo vines. Clear, medium crimson colour. A dense slightly weighted nose of red currants, darksh forest berries, hint of pink watermelon rind and seeds. Silky texture, med+ bodied with lots of acidity. 13% alc. Rich flavours of red currants, pomegranate pips, cranberry jam, lingering blackcurrants. A fine wine, balanced clean finish. Drink now - 2016. A good wine but perhaps $10 abit over-priced.

Marius Symphony Shiraz 2005, McLaren Vale
I think the wine of Roger Pike don't need further introduction on this board. The 05 is of intense ruby colour, has lifted aromas f blackberries, dusty plum, crushed mineral rock and truffle. Full-bodied no doubt, smooth velvet texture, 15% alc and a swath of fine grained tannins. Rich blackberry flavours along with black cherry and roasted herb flavours, with a dash of black pepper on the finish. A fine young man of a wine! Drink now - 2022.

[Rossco]

Good weekend, which really started thursday

2008 Tahbilk Shiraz & Cab Sav - Just like sean, picked up both at ridiculous prices. Will be buying more. Great wine that should keep for a while!

1998 Mitchelton Print Shiraz - Little disappointing and very blurry. While there was some structure there, the oak overtook the fruit. Overall was still ok..... I think my expectations were too high....may have to drink my other 4 bottles soon.

2008 Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz - Way too young. Although really nice, I could not help but think...man imagine this in 10 years

1998 Wynns BL Cab - what hasnt been said about this....really good classic coonawarra cab.

1997 Tahbilk 'Old Block' Cab Sav - STILL great two months after my last one ..... Best $26 ever! WOTW (W = Weekend)

[daz]

"WOTW (W = Weekend)" does that mean weekend of the weekend? Five minutes to midnight on a Sunday? But seriously, I've bought a few of the aged Tahbilk releases such as the shiraz 97, my last being their cab shiraz 1996 a couple of years ago. As described in the newsletter/website, it was definitely cab dominant with plenty of drying tannins on the finish but the shiraz carried the middle palate admirably.

[Jay60A]

Our annual dinner hosted by Gary & Chris Saturday night.. Fantastic food, great company and terrific wines.

Penfolds 1990 Bin 920 Cabernet Shiraz
Wine of the night. Awesome, ageing beautifuly. Cigar box and leather, with layers of dusty mulberry & elegant blackberry. The Cab Shiraz blend is just fantastic and these old Penfolds special bin wines are absolutely world class !!

Mark - Any thoughts on the 1990 Bin 920 vs Bin 90A?

Everyone seemed to rate the 90A higher but the Bin 920 seems to be maturing rather gracefully ...

[Luke W]

Back in the saddle with a couple of reds and whites.

2002 Capel Vale Riesling (screwcap) - still fresh, lively, rather nice riesling. Palate starting to mature but many more years left in this one yet.
2007 Xabregas Riesling - wonderful nose but too soft on the palate which makes me think not made for long term.
2008 Teusner Dog Strangler - very good wine - must get more of this
2000 Jacobs Creek Limited Edition Cabernet Shiraz - elegant, beautifully balanced - almost sensual - decanted and aerated for about 4 hours and got better and better until it disappeared.

[markg]

Our annual dinner hosted by Gary & Chris Saturday night.. Fantastic food, great company and terrific wines.

Penfolds 1990 Bin 920 Cabernet Shiraz
Wine of the night. Awesome, ageing beautifuly. Cigar box and leather, with layers of dusty mulberry & elegant blackberry. The Cab Shiraz blend is just fantastic and these old Penfolds special bin wines are absolutely world class !!

Mark - Any thoughts on the 1990 Bin 920 vs Bin 90A?

Everyone seemed to rate the 90A higher but the Bin 920 seems to be maturing rather gracefully ...

Are you are asking which one is better ? I don't want to go down that path I love both of them but I think I would prefer the 920 at the moment only because I would want the 90a to develop more before drinking it again.

[ticklenow1]

Back in the saddle with a couple of reds and whites.

2002 Capel Vale Riesling (screwcap) - still fresh, lively, rather nice riesling. Palate starting to mature but many more years left in this one yet.
2007 Xabregas Riesling - wonderful nose but too soft on the palate which makes me think not made for long term.
2008 Teusner Dog Strangler - very good wine - must get more of this
2000 Jacobs Creek Limited Edition Cabernet Shiraz - elegant, beautifully balanced - almost sensual - decanted and aerated for about 4 hours and got better and better until it disappeared.

Good to see you are on the mend and "back in the saddle"

Cheers
Ian

[Luke W]

Thanks Ian

[Chuck]

Our annual dinner hosted by Gary & Chris Saturday night.. Fantastic food, great company and terrific wines.

Penfolds 1990 Bin 920 Cabernet Shiraz
Wine of the night. Awesome, ageing beautifuly. Cigar box and leather, with layers of dusty mulberry & elegant blackberry. The Cab Shiraz blend is just fantastic and these old Penfolds special bin wines are absolutely world class !!

Mark - Any thoughts on the 1990 Bin 920 vs Bin 90A?

Everyone seemed to rate the 90A higher but the Bin 920 seems to be maturing rather gracefully ...

Are you are asking which one is better ? I don't want to go down that path I love both of them but I think I would prefer the 920 at the moment only because I would want the 90a to develop more before drinking it again.

I agree Mark's comments. The 920 is all Coonawarra cabernet and shiraz whereas the 90A is Coonwarra cabernet and Barossa Shiraz like the awesome 1962 Bin 60A. I like the 90A a tad more because the Barossa shiraz has more depth and style of fruit and follows the Bin 389 style. Also I think the 920 has French oak and the 90A US oak. Also agree the 920 can be drunk now whereas the 90A needs a lot longer in the cellar. I regard the 90A as the best wine I have had and always smile knowing there are 2 more in the cellar. Both were tested at the last Penfolds Clinic and knowing they are in good nick is reassuring.


Carl

[Jay60A]

I agree Mark's comments. The 920 is all Coonawarra cabernet and shiraz whereas the 90A is Coonwarra cabernet and Barossa Shiraz like the awesome 1962 Bin 60A. I like the 90A a tad more because the Barossa shiraz has more depth and style of fruit and follows the Bin 389 style. Also I think the 920 has French oak and the 90A US oak. Also agree the 920 can be drunk now whereas the 90A needs a lot longer in the cellar. I regard the 90A as the best wine I have had and always smile knowing there are 2 more in the cellar. Both were tested at the last Penfolds Clinic and knowing they are in good nick is reassuring.


Carl

I was afraid you were all going to say this as I have a few Bin 920s, but no 90As tucked away! More by accident than anything I was offered the 920s as a 24-year old flush with a new job and bought them without knowing too much ...