The Auswine Forum

Seppelt Chalambar 00- Very nice.

d'Arenberg 02 & 03 Derelict Vineyard Grenache- The 02 had a good structure in place and looked to be going somwhere. I found the 03 a bit hot and unenjoyable.

quote]We might be in the minority Roscoe but I'm with you. For me it's a tannic monster at present, though it could be a good example of the old five-year rule of thumb, for the tannins to soften and the fruit to shine. I might try a bottle of the remaining eleven in about a year to see how it's developing.[/quote]

I had this wine for the first time the other week and liked it a lot and certainly found that it needed some time to mature but still nice now.

Cracked one last night and found it more tannic than the previous bottle, but I put that down to the meal I had with it (Spag Bol). Once dinner was complete I waited a while and tried again after my palate had settled and found the same wine I had tried on the previous night.

I look forward to seeing how this matures in the medium term.

Other wines:

Seppelt 03 Chalambar - Have quite a few of these in the cellar and also bought the last fewat the latest 20% sales at Macs (Have the 04's now). I am finding this a little closed at the moment. Anyone else tried one lately?

Seppelt 04 Chalambar - More Tannin than previous releases I have tried and needs some time to see how it settles. Will keep what I have in the cellar and buy the odd few here and there to see how it is travelling.

Finney (Craig)

Richard Hamilton Gumprs Shiraz 2002
A medium red/purple in colour, no where near as dark as expected. Aromas of chocolate and red fruits, on the palate there is a decent balance between plum, red berries and dry powdery tannins. I would not have picked this as McLaren Vale shiraz in a blind tasting, it is no where near as big and dark as most examples.
Score: 6/10
Price: $14
Closure: Cork
Would I buy this wine again?
Unlikely as I prefer richer and darker McLaren Vale shiraz. It is a good value quaffer however.

Meerea Park Shiraz Viognier 2004
Initially the nose was showing only some leathery aromas, so I let the bottle sit for an hour. Later on complex aromas of cherries, mint, leather and a little earth were present. Medium bodied with a chewy texture, red fruits are present up front that fade into powdery tannins on a long drying finish.
Score: 7/10
Price: $16
Closure: Screwcap
Would I buy this wine again?
Probably not, however it is well worth a try and good value for money.

Robertsons Well Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Initially inviting aromas of blackberry, plum and oak, these continue onto the palate accompanied by some spices and drying tannins on the finish. Medium bodied and easy drinking. This is not an overly complex wine, however you cannot really expect that much from a $14 Cabernet.
Score: 6/10
Price: $14
Closure: Cork
Would I buy this wine again?
Maybe if I was after a budget Cabernet and was faced with an unfamiliar selection.

Australian Old Vine Wine Botrytis Semillon
Boutique winery from the Riverina, seriously good QPR at $12 for a half bottle. Orange peel, lemon, honey, apricot, lots going on. Excellent acid balance, would drink it over (young) Noble One any day. 8/10.

Had a bunch of the 2005 Woodcutters this past week; eminently gluggable drink now proposition. Bought a case just after lunch, cracked the first at 5:30, half of it gone by 9...I obviously wasn't the only one why liked it. Yummo+.

A 2000 Small Creek Shiraz was real typical Barossa, but with a few Winter Creek-ey notes (spice/cardamom and blue berries). Will keep for at least another 5, but it's ready to go. Very Good.

2002 Dutschke St. Jakobi. Time to check where it's headed, which is neither up nor down. An absolute pup still. It gets a rating of 16....years old. Don't look, don't touch.

2003 Sherwood Estate Middle Paddock Chambourcin Not as good as the Reserve, but not a bad lighter red. A bit of herby complexity and semi-plush mouthfeel; okay length. Now through 3 or 4 years. Good+.

1979 Cheval Blanc Not a big wine; well balanced, complex and long...very, very good. Last glass the best!

1998 Wynns Shiraz Acidic mess with just a little red berry fruit. ?? Just a couple left, I think the rest will end up in a pasta sauce.