The Auswine Forum

2015 Nillumbik Estate 'Domenic's Paddock' Pinot
Im not the biggest pinot fan, but i 'get it' with this wine. Its great. Soft and subtle use of old oak, not over extracted or tannic. Very fruit forward with beautiful blueberries and cherries. No barnyard funk, but slight mushroom/herby notes. Wont live a long life, but wow it doesnt need too, as i would drink all i had in a very short timeframe (i dont have any more). I wish more pinot was made like this.

Heat damaged? Badly stored (at some stage)?

2016 Garagiste Merricks pinot
Juicy style more generous than 2015
Is better after overnight in the fridge
Still has pinosity
I like it

2016 Ministry of Clouds Chardonnay
Blend of old Meadowbank vines north of Hobart with an unnamed Coal Valley vineyard
Elegance and weight with v good acid
To be honest it finishes a tad to broad & ‘sweet ‘

2016 Elderslie pinot meunier/pinot red wine #2
Adelaide Hills
Earthy fruit tannin mouthfeel
The texture component endears this wine with woodfired food
Worth a look

Went to a couple of wine dinners recently.

The first was an Italian theme.

2012 I Vigneri – di Salvo Foti Vinudilice.
2011 Pietradolce – Etna Archineri.
1999 Gaja – Barbaresco.
2008 Giuseppe Mascarello – Monprivato.
1990 Giovanni Dri – Ramandolo Il Roncat.
1999 Querciabella – Camartina.
2005 Aldo Conterno – Romirasco.
2007 Valdicava – Brunello di Montalcino.
NV Stanton & Killeen – Liqueur Muscat.


The other was Piedmont and a more structured night.

Sparkling.
NV Ulysse Collin – 'Les Pierrieres' Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut.
1997 Lanson – Noble Cuvee Blanc de Blancs.

Flight one - 2005 vintage.
2005 Luigi Einaudi – Costa Grimaldi.
2005 Produttori – Rabaja.
2005 Produttori – Montestefano.

Flight two - 1999 vintage.
1999 Castello di Verduno – Rabaja, Riserva.
1999 Giacomo Borgogno – Barolo, Riserva.
1999 Paitin di Pasquero Elia – Sori Paitin Riserva.
1999 Gaja – Barbaresco.

Flight three - 2008 vintage.
2008 Luigi Pira – Vigna Rionda.
2008 Castello di Verduno – Massara.
2008 Produttori – Montestefano.

Flight four - 2007 vintage.
2007 Castello di Neive – Santo Stefano.
2007 Giuseppe Rinaldi – Brunate.
2007 Cavallotto – Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe.

Finished with coffee.
1997 Stanton and Killeen – Vintage Port.

Cheers Con.

michel wrote:2016 Garagiste Merricks pinot
Juicy style more generous than 2015
Is better after overnight in the fridge
Still has pinosity
I like it

I've been hearing 16 is supposed to be a great Vic vintage. I'm beginning to think more and more that means warmer and ripe.

dave vino wrote:Chardonnay, lots of.

Someone might make a thread with notes, I didn't take any.

[img]http://www.grapemates.org/files/Misc/Chard-1.jpg[/img]

Hi Dave, Wow - what a great selection. I know you didn't take any notes, but can you give any general impressions on the Yatarna, I have one lurking in the cellars and there is not a lot of info on the wine. Any general impressions on the Giaconda would be appreciated. Do these 2 flagship wines deserve their status? I noticed from the photo there was a De Salis thrown in. Once again I am sitting on a couple of their reds, but have not tried their whites. How does the De Salis rate amongst some top level Chardys?
Thanks Phil

2012 Leo Buring Clare Valley Riesling Wow, for a sub $20 great VFM, drinking really well now , but plenty of life left, still fresh and zesty. Great food wine, consumed over two nights. Must get more Rieslings....

Phil H wrote:

dave vino wrote:Chardonnay, lots of.

Someone might make a thread with notes, I didn't take any.

Hi Dave, Wow - what a great selection. I know you didn't take any notes, but can you give any general impressions on the Yatarna, I have one lurking in the cellars and there is not a lot of info on the wine. Any general impressions on the Giaconda would be appreciated. Do these 2 flagship wines deserve their status? I noticed from the photo there was a De Salis thrown in. Once again I am sitting on a couple of their reds, but have not tried their whites. How does the De Salis rate amongst some top level Chardys?
Thanks Phil

Wines were all done blind, so no label bias.
Yattarna was shot. Not sure what it was in terms of the flaw. (was an 02 from memory) The Bin 15A was very good.
Giaconda was my WOTN, Mick said the last time he had it, it was a sulphur bomb, but had restrained itself remarkably well. Very linear and very classy. (was in a difficult flight as well and I still picked it as my fav)
The De Salis didn't get any votes in it's flight (against a Woodlands Chloe and Holyman) I thought it was a bit overworked, too tropical.

dave vino wrote:

Phil H wrote:

dave vino wrote:Chardonnay, lots of.

Someone might make a thread with notes, I didn't take any.

Hi Dave, Wow - what a great selection. I know you didn't take any notes, but can you give any general impressions on the Yatarna, I have one lurking in the cellars and there is not a lot of info on the wine. Any general impressions on the Giaconda would be appreciated. Do these 2 flagship wines deserve their status? I noticed from the photo there was a De Salis thrown in. Once again I am sitting on a couple of their reds, but have not tried their whites. How does the De Salis rate amongst some top level Chardys?
Thanks Phil

Wines were all done blind, so no label bias.
Yattarna was shot. Not sure what it was in terms of the flaw. (was an 02 from memory) The Bin 15A was very good.
Giaconda was my WOTN, Mick said the last time he had it, it was a sulphur bomb, but had restrained itself remarkably well. Very linear and very classy. (was in a difficult flight as well and I still picked it as my fav)
The De Salis didn't get any votes in it's flight (against a Woodlands Chloe and Holyman) I thought it was a bit overworked, too tropical.

Thanks Dave, what a great way to judge wines of this calibre.

swirler wrote:Heat damaged? Badly stored (at some stage)?

I hope so. Sounds weird i know, but im hoping it had a fault of some kind. I love this wine and have had many prior vintages.

2014 clos Clare Riesling
Beautiful expression of the clare. Pure and focused fruit. Lemon/lime, talc, and other citrus.
Slight florals on the palate, and acid to see it through.
I wonder how long it will age for.

2008 Petaluma Coonawarra
I have had a few bottles of this vintage now, and this one seemed the youngest so far. Not too tannic, but the acid was more pronounced, and seemed 'thinner' in body....needs to fill out more. Beautiful blue/black fruits, menthol and red earth. Love this wine and will go for years under screwcap. Almost felt like vinicide drinking it....oh well.

A couple of wines on the weekend.

1996 Cullen – Cabernet Sauvignon. A lovely soft mature wine.

2007 Juniper Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon. Something not right with this, maybe heat affected. A recent auction buy.

Cheers Con.

2015 Wild Duck Creek "Yellow Hammer Hill" Shiraz Malbec Cabernet blend, Heathcote, VIC

A full bodied wine; dark and ‘inky’ in the glass. Dark cherries, ripe plums, chocolate, nuance of star anise / liquorice, a touch of vanilla and spice. On day 2 I noticed a blackberry type component to it. I love the Malbec portion of the wine, it freshens up the palate and gives a nice vibrancy to the wine. The wine displays excellent mouth feel, the finish long and satisfying with a medium level of ‘grippy’ tannin lingering at the end. The wine carries the 15.1% alcohol level well. A very good wine and very cellar worthy.

Matt@5453 wrote:2015 Wild Duck Creek "Yellow Hammer Hill" Shiraz Malbec Cabernet blend, Heathcote, VIC

A full bodied wine; dark and ‘inky’ in the glass. Dark cherries, ripe plums, chocolate, nuance of star anise / liquorice, a touch of vanilla and spice. On day 2 I noticed a blackberry type component to it. I love the Malbec portion of the wine, it freshens up the palate and gives a nice vibrancy to the wine. The wine displays excellent mouth feel, the finish long and satisfying with a medium level of ‘grippy’ tannin lingering at the end. The wine carries the 15.1% alcohol level well. A very good wine and very cellar worthy.

Big fan of Wild Duck Creek. Big wines as you have mentioned, but I do agree that they hold their alcohol very well. I am on their allocation list and have been for a while. I think their Springflat shiraz is sensational. I've had some real crackers over the years.

When I last purchased wines from them I got a few bottles of the Fortified Duck which has 23 year old brandy added in. An absolute top quality amazing fortified. I wish I bought more bottles of this.

1999 Ch Musar Red is in a lovely place with lifted plums and stewed fruits on spicy sweet fruits, leather and length. You'd say it's peaked. But knowing Musar....

2009 Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc

An interesting wine, my first one from this label and not sure what to expect. I bought it due to Brian Croser's talents more than anything, big fan of his work. Decanted for 2 hours. More meduim body than I was expecting.... lovely colour for an 8 year old. No bricking or browning, just a lovely bright purple. Quite perfumed too (I assume thats from the Cab Franc component). Violets, slight Eucalypt and some oregano/herby type notes. Didnt seem merlot dominant, but plums were definitely there.

Lovely balance between tannin, fruit and acid. Length is nice; not short, but not long. This was a good red, without being great.... not sure I would pay the $80 retail price though (mine was from auction).

Will see if its changed tonight/day 2.

michel wrote:2016 Elderslie pinot meunier/pinot red wine #2
Adelaide Hills
Earthy fruit tannin mouthfeel
The texture component endears this wine with woodfired food
Worth a look

Three bottles on a Sunday before 2:01pm

That's dedication Michel!

Cheers

Michael

Redwine&Rum wrote:

Matt@5453 wrote:2015 Wild Duck Creek "Yellow Hammer Hill" Shiraz Malbec Cabernet blend, Heathcote, VIC

A full bodied wine; dark and ‘inky’ in the glass. Dark cherries, ripe plums, chocolate, nuance of star anise / liquorice, a touch of vanilla and spice. On day 2 I noticed a blackberry type component to it. I love the Malbec portion of the wine, it freshens up the palate and gives a nice vibrancy to the wine. The wine displays excellent mouth feel, the finish long and satisfying with a medium level of ‘grippy’ tannin lingering at the end. The wine carries the 15.1% alcohol level well. A very good wine and very cellar worthy.

Big fan of Wild Duck Creek. Big wines as you have mentioned, but I do agree that they hold their alcohol very well. I am on their allocation list and have been for a while. I think their Springflat shiraz is sensational. I've had some real crackers over the years.

When I last purchased wines from them I got a few bottles of the Fortified Duck which has 23 year old brandy added in. An absolute top quality amazing fortified. I wish I bought more bottles of this.

Agreed after finally getting on Dave's mailer and meeting him at at tasting in Adelaide...he said this wine is a nod to Tony Brady...a really interesting take on a Shiraz Malbec.
I purchased 6 last year and got a dozen of this years release...really different and fantastic for $23 or so or whatever I paid.
The 14 and 15 Springflat will have a long sleep.
Cheers
Craig

Penfold's St Henri 1996- Pleased this has been cellared since release in professional conditions. The aromatics are striking and pure, dominated by blackberry. Disappointingly simple on the palate, the wine wasn't decanted and a bolt-on watery acidity integrates and builds with the wine in the glass. This delivers more power, but it is out of kilter and a touch unbalanced at all stages.

90pts and holding.

Concur with Mike and Felix sadly. Should have been bettter! Have a six pack of this and Grange in the cellar from this, a favourite SA vintage.

Pewsey Vale 2012 Eden Valley Riesling. Found a few orphans lost in the cellar so tried one with fresh snapper cutlets. Good solid mid week rizza with some secondary flavours developing.

Carl

deleted

Elderton Shiraz Single Vineyard Command 2004. Smoky pepper, oakiness and dark dark fruits. Tannins softened after 30-40 minutes. Medium to long finish. Still have 3+ years strong life. 93 pts.

Kangarilla Road 2012 Devil's Whiskers McLaren Vale Shiraz. What a pretty wine - black fruits, chocolate and good oak. Everything in place and drinking perfectly. Absorbs the 14.5% alcohol well although I would have liked to see it with a little less and be slightly leaner. No reason to leave it alone although should age well. Great vintage.

Carl

2014 Cusumano Alta Mora Etna Rosso

[url]http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=15749[/url]

Michael McNally wrote:

michel wrote:2016 Elderslie pinot meunier/pinot red wine #2
Adelaide Hills
Earthy fruit tannin mouthfeel
The texture component endears this wine with woodfired food
Worth a look

Three bottles on a Sunday before 2:01pm

That's dedication Michel!

Cheers

Michael

Cheers Michael!
I often retrieve SC wines from the fridge & re assess

deleted

Sean wrote:Vickery Watervale Riesling 2017 - Everything about this is right. John Vickery and Phil Lehmann wine. Lists the five blocks of vines the grapes come from on the front label, one of them (the Brazel vineyard) is 86 yo. Screwcapped. Opaque (beer bottle) coloured bottle that protects the wine from light if you want to cellar it. I wish I had the willpower to do that, because this is delicious stuff. Light straw colour and florally aromas. Musk, talcum, honeysuckle, a fresh lime juice character and finely drawn acidity running through the palate. I want to fill a rainwater tank with this and put it on tap.

Great imagery in your note Sean
I grew up in the country & wine in the Tank would’ve helped immensely

Sean wrote:Vickery Watervale Riesling 2017 - Everything about this is right. John Vickery and Phil Lehmann wine. Lists the five blocks of vines the grapes come from on the front label, one of them (the Brazel vineyard) is 86 yo. Screwcapped. Opaque (beer bottle) coloured bottle that protects the wine from light if you want to cellar it. I wish I had the willpower to do that, because this is delicious stuff. Light straw colour and florally aromas. Musk, talcum, honeysuckle, a fresh lime juice character and finely drawn acidity running through the palate. I want to fill a rainwater tank with this and put it on tap.

I love this wine. Had a few bottles now. Try the eden valley as well, just as good imo.
Clare/eden 17 vintage is just spectacular.