Akd Offline: Fri Dec 3rd - Notes now posted

[Peter NZ]

Dates it looks like I could make work in Dec would be Fri 3rd, Sun 5th or Sun 12th. Would just be me however.

Cheers
Peter

[Craig(NZ)]

Dec would be Fri 3rd, Sun 5th or Sun 12th

Ok people lets get busy. Who can make which of these dates?

As far as I am aware I can make any of these but I will check with wifey, she who must be obeyed, the war ministry, dept of hurt and pain, the old bat....<insert favourite endearment here>

Also some comment on the bring a plate camp around the table at someones house option?? Happy to offer up my pad if you guys don't mind travelling east but open to any other options too

Update: I can do any of those dates

[Craig(NZ)]

Bump

Cummon guys lets get this sorted: Add your availabilities as below at this stage from the 3 dates Peter can make it from Wellington


Dates to choose from Fri 3rd (evening), Sun 5th (lunch) or Sun 12th (lunch)


Craig: Fri 3rd, Sun 5th or Sun 12th
Jafa: ??
Mel: Fri 3rd, Sun 5th or Sun 12th
Bick: ??
Peter: Fri 3rd, Sun 5th or Sun 12th
Curt: ??
Mike (if able): ?? I assume not in NZ??
Maryanne: None??

[jafa]

Sorry busy weekend, hence slow response.
Available for all of the above.
Most of the organised eoy silly season, for me, happens during the next 2 weeks of November.

cheers jafa.

[Curt]

Friday 3rd is best for me, could also do Sunday the 12th but the 5th is not possible. Like the idea of it being at your place Craig. Cheers

[Craig(NZ)]

Cheers Curt

Excellent....5th is probably least helpful to me too though I could make it (marshalling a running race in the morning).

Mike can you make Fri 3rd or sun 12th?

Lets lock this down quick. If everyone is happy with bring a plate to my place then we are all sorted.

C

[Peter NZ]

Yep, confirm Maryanne won't be able to make it, & that the dates under consideration are still okay for me. Your place sounds good Craig, though at some point I'll appreciate advice on best options for getting there / back from CBD.

Cheers
Peter

[Craig(NZ)]

Yep, confirm Maryanne won't be able to make it, & that the dates under consideration are still okay for me. Your place sounds good Craig, though at some point I'll appreciate advice on best options for getting there / back from CBD.

Pete, would be happy to pick you up/ and anyone else central - curt? (though might not be in condition to get you back) and I am sure between all attendees we can organise something. Perhaps shared taxi back could be an option, or taxi to train station.

We will see what Mike comes back with. I am thinking if both the remaining dates still suit him Sunday could be the best option just in terms of not having to rush around after work on a Friday and being able to laze away a whole Sunday lunch/ afternoon if need be. However having said that happy with either date, and either will work.

Re food, was thinking lets all bring something we can just throw on an antipasto/cheese platter. I will get some fresh breads. We can go cured meats, pate, cheese, nuts, olives, bla bla - whatever you think would compliment the wines we are enjoying. I can do up some mini meatballs/ something hot. All easy, relaxed, no mess. Glassware I have a truckload as you can imagine incl 8x Riedel Vinum Syrah which no doubt would do the job for the wines we are looking at.

[Curt]

Friday the 3rd is still the best for me unless we make it mid to late afternoon on the 12th. I am central city so can give Peter a lift as it does not look like there will be too many wines at this stage !

[Craig(NZ)]

Friday the 3rd is still the best for me unless we make it mid to late afternoon on the 12th. I am central city so can give Peter a lift as it does not look like there will be too many wines at this stage !

Ok lets make it Friday 3rd aim for <>7pm kick off. Will arrange enough food for it to be called "dinner" though will be informal being a friday night....throw some stuff on the table and dig in type. bring some stuff to throw on a platter

I did think today friday allows a sleep in next day

hopefully if Mike resurfaces he can make this date... where has he gone!!!?!! .........hmmm according to my profile stalking he posted 36 times in the "Stonyridge Larose Vertical" thread and he last visited the forum yesterday.....earth to Mike......come in Mike....

[Muscat Mike]

Hi Craig et al,
sorry about that. I had not gone into orbit. They have not built a space craft big enough to carry me, as yet. I have been away playing golf badly, but enjoying it and some great food and wine.
Early December is out for me. Sorry but January is probably the earliest I could make it. I am sure you will survive without me and have a fabulous time.
All the best,
Mike.
PS - I will set that wine aside for a trip to NZ Craig so we will get to try it.

[Craig(NZ)]

Thanks Aussie Mike, assumed ex Aussie may require some aligning of the stars...

...now Bick (aka Mike)...?

[Craig(NZ)]

Bick said:

I'm keen and would love to be involved; I'm around except for 13-21 November when I'll be out of the country

Assume he is getting his feet under the desk again or late home....hopefully hear from him soon

[Bick]

Hi guys,

Sorry, I've been off the map, mentally and computationally
Sorry for lack of correspondence...

If this still on, I've just caught it in time - I can do this friday evening, and will bring Providence 2005. Hope my tardiness confirming my attendance doesn't cock things up at all!

[Bick]

Craig - is this going to be at your place? Can you pm directions if so, and wqould you like me to bring anything in addition to the vino?

[Craig(NZ)]

Woohoo, we are all in the loop again.

Ok we are all go guys. We are all free. I sent you a PM and I meant Fri 3rd Dec (not fri 5th...mistake noticed as i hit send)

7pm Fri 3rd Dec. Sort out final details over next few days re confirmed wines/food

Must fly

C

[jafa]

OK. PM received.
Busy yesterday with some dedicated wine imbibing to perform.
See youse fri.
cheers jafa

[SueNZ]

Curt asked me the other night if I knew about this offline. Been so busy and just caught up with the thread. Probably have a wine that makes the grade but see rules state no spitting allowed and Albany to Howick a little too pricey for taxi fare. So guess I'm out - although it seems I was never in. Have fun guys.

[Craig(NZ)]

Sorry guys, been so busy this week (that time of year for both work and after hours) - I haven't even thought of the food. Mel is finishing early today so will hit catch up mode with a vengence. Will probably wizz up a pile of mini cocktail meatballs and grab some french bread/ fresh pate

Bring what you like, if we have any holes we can always do a quick run to the supermarket or something but we should be sweet.

Catch you about 7:00pm, but if it suits anyone better to arrive early we will be here from 6:00pm

[Craig(NZ)]

What a brilliant night. Wow what a success. Very easy and great wines thank to everyone that contributed. It was great to see you all again. For all the rare wines thanks so much to everyone for their contributions! A relaxed and social night which I think we all appreciated. Thanks to all for making the effort to travel out east. And thanks all for the food contributions, we all went just a bit crazy on that front but some nice touches and ideas.

I'm away for a couple of days now so some brief impressions before I go hike the overdose of cheese off.


1996 Martinborough Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir. This was an impressive wine when opened. Lovely silky red fruit plum and spice. Super silky and massively complex. It did fall apart as the evening progressed and to my palate should be drunk up. Not quite the wine it was 5 years ago when i last tried this but impressive nevertheless. Real Pinot, not overblown and wow look this is a 14 year old NZ Pinot Noir! I don't think I have ever tried one that old!?


2006 Bell Hill Pinot Noir. If we were to describe the characters that make a cult winery, this would have to be NZ's premier example. Massively rare, controlled and exclusive. What a treat! This didn't disappoint. Very primary with a lovely nose which is highly perfumed with a smokey camphor dark fruited tone. Lovely structure and texture, very linear, reserved and controlled. The fruit is very dark, brooding and compact with overtones of dark cocoa. Nice acid balance. This is still a very young wine and could do with a good 4-5 years more in the cellar. Benchmark stuff though with real class and polish. Exciting.

2002 Dry River Syrah. Thanks Curt for this additional bottle. This is really good stuff, up there with the very best I have tried from NZ. Lovely aromatic introduction, showing plushness, richness and super length. Refined and linear with just a touch of funkiness. Exciting deep palate with mega complexity. Good stuff!


2008 Puriri Hills Pope. This is yet to be released but some special treatment which I am very thankful for enabled me to sneak away with an export bottle for this tasting. Very probably released in NZ Q1 2011. Me raving about this label is hardly going to surprise. What may add weight to my argument that this is a great (in the true sense of the word) NZ label will be others attendees opinions. Suffice to say this did not disappoint me. It showed brillaintly. Sultry, slutty gorgeous sensual wine with a texture to die for. Integrated and silky, this wine is just showing so brilliantly now in its youth. It is hard to judge whether you would even want to cellar this. It is hard to see how it could get any better. Plush, generous and seamless. The high alcohol didn't seem to affect the aromatics or cause any hotness on the palate. Absolute brilliance. Not only is this the greatest mainland Auckland red ever produced but it would also sit alongside (and perhaps even exceed depending on your style preferences) the very greatest Waiheke reds ever made. It is genius.

[As an aside NZ forumites I have today been promised a pre release tasting for us sometime in the new year for all the 2008 PH's. Quote "I think we should organize a private tasting for your group during the summer or autumn and let them be the first buyers" tba/tbc/watch this space/exciting]


2005 Providence Private Reserve. This label has its share of knockers but man what a lovely wine. The aromatics on this wine are so unique and so complex with coconut, peppermint and camphor. The palate is more grainy than the pope with a creamy texture, spicy red fruits and an exotic feel. Anise and eastern spices in array. Although it doesn't have the cashmere texture of the Pope, it has a lovely 'juiciness' to the fruit. Some similarities to 02 St Nesbit for me. It perhaps needs a little more time but it is a wine that changes in the glass and keeps your interest. I would cellar another 4 or 5 years before drinking this if I had any.


2005 Blake Family Vineyards Redd Gravels. A wine famous for its performance at the "Judgement of Taupo" where it cleaned up Bordeaux First Growths from the great 2005 vintage. I had tried the 2006 before and though it was a bit "modern" for my tastes but wow this is pretty damn impressive. It is a serious wine with formidable but dusty tannins, reminding me a little of a young latour in terms of structure. Compact and deep set black fruits and dusty sweet spiced tannins. Seamless and creamy. This wine above any other tonight demands more time in the cellar. It will easily last another 15 years in the cellar and proablbly actually *needs* close to 10. Will those tannins resolve? They could do but tannin balance is my only question over this wine at the moment if you want to get technical but there is no denying the quality.


1991 Te Mata Coleraine. Many would argue this is the greatest vintage of Coleraine made. Many thanks to Curt for bringing along this rare and historical wine. To my palate it is now very marginally on the downward slide after peaking probably 2-4 years ago. However it certainly is not dead. It is, as it always was in the mould of the 95 and 00 vintages in that it is a little more expansive and open knit than the modern Coleraines. The nose has a pile of forest floor, mushroom and red fruits. Lovely expansive wine. If I had any though I would be lining this up to be drunk. At 19 years it looks like it will make 20, but not much more after that unless you enjoy the more developed styles.

2005 John Forrest Collection Noble Riesling. Actually this wine is showing age now in terms of colour and nose. The palate though still lovely and fresh with that top Sauterne like icing sugar texture. Delightful. Proabably we had all had a bit too much to drink at this stage but still a awesome wine.

We didn't take any votes and to be honest picking a winner is difficult. In terms of hedonistic enjoyment it is hard to go past the Puriri Hills and even the Dry River struck up a good contest. In terms of great potential it is hard to ignore the Bell Hill and Red Gravels. Definitely they are benchmark wines. In terms of interlectual stimulation the Coleraine, Providence and MBVR were great subjects. I guess if pushed i'd go Puriri Hills just because of its widespread appeal and drinkabilty now. This sometimes shy wine was certainly leaving nothing to the imagination at this event!

{Edits: Fixed up a pile of spelling mistakes and filled in a few holes in the notes}

[TiggerK]

Wow, awesome stuff guys, thanks for the writeup Craig. So jealous, and even more so as I was in Wellington last night thinking of you all! Hmm, just a short plane ride I was thinking, but nothing of that calibre to bring so never mind. Might have a wee nose around Rumbles though this afternoon....

Cheers
Tim

[Peter NZ]

Excellent night & great to try all these stunning wines in such a relaxed environment. Thanks again to Craig & Mel for your hospitality, & to Mike, Curt & Jafa for all sharing some great wines.

Pretty well agree with all your comments Craig, other than the Dry River -- for me, the 'funky' element (VA) dominated. Both the Bell Hill & Redd Gravels do indeed need quite a bit of time, & will be exciting to revisit in a few years. The Pururi Hills was a real treat, with the very final sip showing for me that there is indeed some real structure underneath all that glorious fruit.

The other wines all performed on the night, with not a dud amongst them -- I'd be very happy with any of the Coleraine, Martinborough or Providence for current drinking.

Cheers
Peter

[jafa]

Firstly, thanks to Craig and Mel for opening the family home for the night. And what a night of fantastic wines.
And, thanks to all for digging into the cellar to bring out these treasures. None of the wines are "cheap" and
I expect a special family occasion is more the norm.
A special thanks to Curt for the ride home. Much appreciated.

To the wines. Not going to re-review them, Craig has done the honours again. Well done.
Right. There are no duds here. All top stuff, so nitpicky picky, to Craig's notes.

'96 Martinborough Reserve My contribution, and some trepidation, knowingly putting this old codger
against the pundits choice as the newest, brightest star in the pinot firmament. No worries, showed well
smooth, aged, complex and added some more with a little time. Faded away quickly but we were moving on
by then.
'06 Bell Hill Pinot. Stalky nose, (I checked the website. Wrong. Fully de-stemmed, but extended pre
and post ferment on the skins) Smooth, linear, calm on the palate, shows some oak on the finish. Would love
to revisit this after a spell in the cellar. Potential plus.
'02 Dry River Lovat Syrah. Curt was keen to slip this bonus wine into play straight after the pinots.
Easy to see why, with a pinot-like velvety texture, smooth, seamless. Needed chasing around the glass for
a while to get going but a great tune once found.
'08 Puriri Hills Pope. Think Craig is the marketing manager for this outfit. How else do you get bottles
of an un-released wine? Distinctive wine, floral personality, perhaps due to Cab Franc dominant makeup?
Slightly warm palate, asked for a gander at bottle. Hmm 14.8% alc is getting ahead of my ideal tolerance levels.
Another smooth seamless linear wine that will be very interesting with some cellar time that allows the Franc to
really kick in, with a caution on the alcohol sneeking ahead of the fruit.
'05 Providence. Surprised, Franc/Merlot/Malbec, two in a row for a kiwi franc dominant wine. Youthful
and fresh. Bold coconut flavoured oak a distraction. Another fine cellaring contenter.
'05 BFV Redd Gravels. Wickedly young and bold. Some razor sharp tannins, begging for extended cellaring,
but then, I prefer my wine old and decrepit. Bucket loads in here for the future.
'91 TM Coleraine. A piece of history, the stuff of kiwi wine folklore. Wonderful aged claret, probably on
the downslope but still a class act. I struck by the thought that nearly 20 years on from this wine, modern examples
stay true to the style of this; un-mistakenly Coleraine. Legend.
'05 John Forest Noble Reisling. Surprisingly advanced colour and flavours for this wine, especially for screwcap.
Fine wind up for a special night.

cheers jafa

[Bick]

Excellent tasting, very enjoyable evening, and thanks both to Craig and Mel for hosting, and to the guys from bringing such good wine. My two penn'orth as follows:

Martinborough Reserve Pinot Noir 1996
Certainly the oldest pinot I've had. This opened up beautifully, with heaps of secondary characters of honey, beeswax, bacon fat and salami. I loved the nose. The palate was also still amazingly fresh and fruity for the first half hour or so. Delightful. It did lose its way after an hour for sure, but so long as you were happy to get it down quick, it was a good experience!

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2006
Frightfully rare, and this has obviously added a cache to the wine's reputation. Its still drinking young, and is very zesty and fruity. It shows a good deal of compact richness, and with time in the glass started to show some charry character, first picked up by Curt. I quite liked this, and I can see the quality, but its style is not entirely to my taste. Am I turning away from young pinot?

Dry River Lovat Syrah 2002
This was very good, with great clarity and purity of expression. I'd not had a DR syrah before, but I'll look out for it again. It seemed to be rather cote-rotie-like to me in character, except for a varnishy note on the nose, but that was not unpleasant. Very smooth, some subtle spice, and rich dense plummy flavours.

Puriri Hills The Pope 2008
Craig's banged on about Pope from Puriri Hills so much that I was very curious to see what all the fuss was about. This was the WOTN. One sip and I found myself sitting there grinning like a fool, not sure quite what to say or write down. I think this is the best NZ wine I have ever tasted - its certainly up there. Took a while to get much aroma; this is a young wine of course and will provide a bigger nose in years to come, I'm sure. But the palate... chocolaty, beautiful, opluent, super super smooth, no angles, perfect balance, perfect ripeness. If I was to draw a comparison, I'd say it drank like a top right bank bordeaux, perhaps a Pomerol.

Providence 2005
This is a rare bordeaux blend from Matakana. Most is exported but it can be found if you hunt around in Auckland. It was tasted after Pope, which was tough on it, but I thought it showed pretty well, and but for its cost and rarity I'd probably buy more. Its classical bordeaux in style, with quite prominent oak, but done in a style that appealed to me. Very good.

Blake Family Vineyards Redd Gravels 2005
Drinking very young, it has heaps of grippy tannins. This is a dense, concentrated new world creation. Needs heaps of time, and I would love to try it in, say, 15 years. Hard to love without food right now, I'd suggest, but tuck some of these away, and they'll see you right.

Te Mata Coleraine 1991
The oldest Coleraine I've tasted and this was still fruity and delicious. I admit I was less aware of the reputation of this wine than others before the tasting, but it was a lovely example of how great kiwi wine can age very well. Some varnish and smoke on the nose - nice secondary notes filled the glass.

-------------------------------
So that's 3 off-lines I've now thoroughly enjoyed; each has been excellent. What to do next? I like the idea of metaphorically leaving these shores for the next off-line and either nominating another country (France? Aus?) or each picking a different country. Perhaps keeping to a single grape or style? But I'm very open to alternative suggestions - any other thoughts?

[Craig(NZ)]

So that's 3 off-lines I've now thoroughly enjoyed; each has been excellent. What to do next? I like the idea of metaphorically leaving these shores for the next off-line and either nominating another country (France? Aus?) or each picking a different country. Perhaps keeping to a single grape or style? But I'm very open to alternative suggestions - any other thoughts?

Random thoughts

World Bordeaux Blends. Top examples from different countries
World Chardonnay. Top Examples from different countries
World Riesling. Top Examples from different countries
Aussie Cults and Ultra Classics
Bordeaux? I dunno 2nd Growth or 2nd growth standard wines of 3-5th growth ranking?
Coleraine Vertical
Ata Rangi Pinot Vertical
Puriri Hills Tasting at the winery upon release of 2008's
Unison Selection Vertical
.....

[jafa]

I see Bob Campbell has recently given the '08 Pope a 98/100 score.
The '06 Bell Hill 'only' got 92/100 from him.

cheers jafa

[Craig(NZ)]

I see Bob Campbell has recently given the '08 Pope a 98/100 score.
The '06 Bell Hill 'only' got 92/100 from him.

cheers jafa

What does gourmet wine traveller do now? They usually add 2 points to Bobs scores for that publication. Imagine the distain if they published 100/100

As a continuation the 2008 Reserve scored 95/100 and the 2008 Estate also 95/100. To me the Reserve is more serious and concentrated than the Estate so id give it a notch more.

[Curt]

Wow indeed, special thanks to Craig & Mel ( it was nice to meet your girls )
No tasting notes from me, I think the notes posted are all good. But I have to say that
the Pope just blew me away - certainly one of the best wines I have tried from NZ
- it was so lush and exotic but powerfull too. On any other day the Blake Family would have
been my wine of the tasting ( & wine of the year ).

[Craig(NZ)]

On the subject of BFV Redd gravels. Has anyone bought the 07?

[Peter NZ]

On the subject of BFV Redd gravels. Has anyone bought the 07?

Yep ... sitting on the complete '04 - '07 vertical ...