The Auswine Forum

monghead wrote:2x 1996 Chave Hermitage rouge.

Bick wrote: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.

daz wrote:

Bick wrote: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

griff wrote:

monghead wrote:2x 1996 Chave Hermitage rouge.

Oh you got some! I hope they shine.

cheers

Carl

monghead wrote:

griff wrote:

monghead wrote: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.

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?

griff wrote:

monghead wrote:

griff wrote:
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) wrote:

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 wrote: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.

JamieBahrain wrote:12 x 2004 Brunello di Montalcino, Riserva, Il Poggione

Jay60A wrote:12 x Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2003.

Craig(NZ) wrote: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.