We met up at the unofficial clubhouse of Peter Bourne's Tasting Rooms with about 14 in attendance.
It was a fun night, with some cracking wines, fantastic food and wonderful company. Thanks to all that attended and to Greg for organising. I think we finished about around 1am and by the time Dave's Boozers Bus had done it's rounds it was close to 2.30am before I walked into the front door.
Food ranged from a fabulous Seafood Paella, to King Prawns, Oysters, Salmon, Chicken Terrine, Ham Ragout, chicken, mushroom pasta, salad, cheeses, and finished off with some cheesecakes and macaroons.
The flights were made up on the night as we weren't sure exactly what everyone was bringing.
I think WOTN for me was the 86 Lovedale. The VAT 1's were all still pups, Semillon really doesn't start to develop until 10 years+ and 20 on the flagship ones. Young wines are hard work for me trying to find descriptors.
The Rockford was a refreshing change with a more worked style with a lot more body and substance.
The Lovedales were just starting to put on a bit of weight and gain some of the renowned toastiness.
The Hunter Reds were on the whole fantastic drinking. Showing that you don't need 15% alc to make a red with 11-12% being the norm, these were lighter more elegant wines. From the smoky 1994 to the cherry and leather saddle 1990 up to the brutish Meerea Park Munro which is a massive wine in the context of the Hunter.
Some one quipped 'if you're wondering where all the colour is on the 1991 Rosehill it's on the side of the bottle' (see below).
The O'Shea was really in it's drinking window.
The 1993 Noble was a perfect finish to the night, aging perfectly with lovely caramelised notes, brown sugar with a nice bit of acid at the back.
Lost my list of flights so am not sure 100% on WOTF.
Couple of champers started proceedings then we got right into it.
Philippe Bornard Crémant du Jura NV
Philippe Bornard Vin de Table Pétillant Naturel Ca Va Bien NV
Flight 1
2006 Meerea Park Munro (WOTF)
2006 Meerea Park Terracotta
2006 Meerea Park Hell Hole
Flight 2
2010 Hollydene Estate Semillon
2011 Petersens Semillon
2011 Scarborough Semillon (WOTF)
2010 Tallowwood Semillon
Flight 3
2011 Ashbrook Estate Semillon
2007 Moss Wood Semillon
2007 Rockford Wines Semillon (WOTF)
Flight 4
1999 Rothbury Estate Semillon (oxidised)
Flight 5
1986 Mt Pleasant Lovedale Semillon (WOTF)
1988 Mt Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon (corked)
Flight 6
1995 Tyrrells Vat 1
1997 Tyrrells Vat 1
1998 Tyrrells Vat 1 (WOTF)
1999 Tyrrells Vat 1
2001 Tyrrells Vat 1
Flight 7
1995 Mt Pleasant Lovedale
1996 Mt Pleasant Lovedale (WOTF)
1996 Mt Pleasant Elizabeth
1997 Mt Pleasant Elizabeth
Flight 8
1991 Mt Pleasant Rosehill Shiraz
1993 Mt Pleasant Maurice O'Shea (WOTF)
Flight 9
1990 Tyrrells Vat 5 Dry Red (WOTF)
1994 Tyrrells Vat 5 Shiraz
Flight 10
1994 Lindemans Hunter River Shiraz Bin 8803
1998 Rothbury Estate Brokenback Shiraz
Options Wines
1998 Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz
2003 Irvine Reserve Zinfandel
Dessert
1993 De Bertoli Noble One
Getting set up
