monthly 1996

[monghead]

Following on from the success of the last aussie '96, we opened another for this last month.

1996 Saltram No 1 Shiraz

Deep and dark, with only hints of bricking on the edges. The nose hinted towards a less than optimal bottle. Stewed fruits and crushed ants. An overtly oaky palate, with a short finish and chunky tannins. I think this bottle may well have been stored less than optimally in it's infancy, probably heat affected...

Cheers,

Monghead.

[monghead]

In the afternoon, I went to the cellar for a cabernet. Was tossing up the ’96 Cullen or Moss Wood when wifey called to say she wanted a pinot instead. Packed up the MR cabernets, and went rummaging in the ’96 pinot stash- all burgs. Bugger! Had wanted to save these for later. Anyways, SWMBO must be obeyed, so...

1996 Domaine Dujac Clos St Denis Grand Cru

Perfect fill level and cork. Whilst decanting, beguiling aromas of strawberries, jasmine tea and brambly undergrowth permeated the surrounds. The hue of the wine suggested it would be quite evolved, being a translucent maroon/bronze colour. In the glass, this relatively perfumed burgundy offered up a plethora of primary and secondary characteristics- succulent strawberries, seductive dark cherries, musky rose water, stale attic air, freshly turned soil, and damp forest floor. There was a fair degree of herbaceousness and an asian spiciness too. In the mouth, the complex array of flavours filled every crevice and tantalised every tastebud. There was still an appreciable fine tannin and distinct linear acidity, but each mouthful caresses you like a satin sheet. I would not say this was a powerful wine, but by god, it was a masterful display in finesse. Out Of Control Good.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[monghead]

The updated list of '96 top 5's...

Australian Shiraz
- Grange
- HOG
- Rockford BP
- Wendouree
- Seppelt Great Western

Australian Cabernet
- Moss Wood
- Quintet
- Petaluma
- Jacaranda Ridge
- Seppelt Dorrien

Champagne
- Dom Perignon
- Salon S
- Pol Roger Winston Churchill
- Taitinger Comptes de Champagne
- Louis Roederer Cristal

Burgundy
- Rousseau Chambertin
- Roumier Bonnes Mares
- Dujac Clos St Denis
- Groffier Bonnes Mares
- Leroy Gevrey Chambertin "les combottes"

Bordeaux
- Latour
- Margaux
- Ausone
- Las Casses
- Mouton Rothschild

Cheers,

Monghead.

[monghead]

Was looking for the Stonewell, but after some fiddling around, wifey got sick of the cellar chill and suggested we finish our last Armagh.

1996 Jim Barry Armagh

Out of the last 2 bottles we have consumed, it appeared that this wine had seen better days. On both occasions, the wine rapidly fell apart leaving a hollow, spirity shell within which some dried stewed fruits and tar was barely appreciable. We were expecting the same, and had a '96 Coriole Lloyd as back-up.

The cork was extruded with the Ah-So (seeing as though the last one opened with a waiter's friend crumbled) successfully. Quite surprisingly, a tsunami of aromas abounded as I poured a couple of glasses. Dark cherries, rich christmas pudding, antique leather suitcase, and intoxicating cigar smoke. Further interrogation yielded complex layers of figs, mocha and intriguing middle eastern spices. Though there was reasonable complexity to this old wine, the finish was again a little short, and hot, and the tannins were also quite angular. The best bottle I've had of this, but in a way, glad this is the last... Good Good.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[dazza1968]

Hey Monghead had a 96 BVE E N E balck Pepper shiraz last night and i hope you have some of this as still a baby ..............Was it good or was it great No it was brilliant

regards Dazza

[monghead]

Hey Monghead had a 96 BVE E N E balck Pepper shiraz last night and i hope you have some of this as still a baby ..............Was it good or was it great No it was brilliant

regards Dazza

Dazza,

I have at least a couple of these left. Unlike the Armagh, I also thought this was a very fine wine the last time I had it, so am holding onto them a little longer.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[Craig(NZ)]

Hey Monghead had a 96 BVE E N E balck Pepper shiraz last night and i hope you have some of this as still a baby ..............Was it good or was it great No it was brilliant

hmm i have a bottle of this somewhere too. glad to see no rush!

[monghead]

Hmmm, been awhile since I updated this thread.

Since the last one, we have enjoyed:

- 1996 Peter Lehmann Stonewall Shiraz
- 1996 Marc Bredif Vouvray
- 1996 Domaine de la Pousse d’Or ‘Clos Tavannes’

Will have to write up some notes/impressions soon.

Cheers,

Monghead.

[Mike Hawkins]

I've been making up for you Monghead.

Had a 96 Basket Press (great), Bin 707 (will be superb), Bin 28 (pretty good for the price), a lamentable CNdP and Dom P (awesome) in recent weeks.

Mike

[monghead]

I've been making up for you Monghead.

Had a 96 Basket Press (great), Bin 707 (will be superb), Bin 28 (pretty good for the price), a lamentable CNdP and Dom P (awesome) in recent weeks.

Mike

Good man!

Can't wait to try my first '96 707 (but I guess I should).
Had a '96 Chave Hermitage in the mix, but corked... waiting to try another now, after replacement.
Ahhh, '96 Dom, what can I say...
Love the BP, but Mike, have you had any experience with the '96 SVSs? I've got a couple each of them, and am wondering when...

Cheers,

Monghead.

[Mike Hawkins]

Mong,

I've had the Moorooroo twice in the last two years. One was pretty good, the other a bit clunky and oaky. Its the weakest of the 3 IMO. The Flaxman is outstanding and has plenty of life left. Will be trying the Hoffmann at the end of the year.

Mike

[Luke W]

Mong,

If you've got some the 96 Wendouree's, they're are crackerjacks right now - I've had a couple in the last few months (Cabernet/ Cabernet Malbec) and they're drinking brilliantly.

At our last offline in Bris we also had a Rockford Black Sparkling (disgorged 1996) which was fantastic.

Cheers

Luke

[griff]

Mong,

If you've got some the 96 Wendouree's, they're are crackerjacks right now - I've had a couple in the last few months (Cabernet/ Cabernet Malbec) and they're drinking brilliantly.

At our last offline in Bris we also had a Rockford Black Sparkling (disgorged 1996) which was fantastic.

Cheers

Luke

The 1996 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro was voted WOTN at our recent 100 year old vines wine night. Tasted blind and I thought it was like a Barolo; floral and tannin.

cheers

Carl

[AndrewCowley]

I have some guests over on the weekend and was thinking of opening a 1996 Jacaranda Ridge. Any thoughts how on how it might be travelling?

[monghead]

Mong,

If you've got some the 96 Wendouree's, they're are crackerjacks right now - I've had a couple in the last few months (Cabernet/ Cabernet Malbec) and they're drinking brilliantly.

At our last offline in Bris we also had a Rockford Black Sparkling (disgorged 1996) which was fantastic.

Cheers

Luke

The 1996 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro was voted WOTN at our recent 100 year old vines wine night. Tasted blind and I thought it was like a Barolo; floral and tannin.

cheers

Carl

Have certainly got a selection of '96 wendourees, but all Shiraz based I think. Have been storing them up due to their reputation of needing decades. Might give one a whirl soon then.

[monghead]

I have some guests over on the weekend and was thinking of opening a 1996 Jacaranda Ridge. Any thoughts how on how it might be travelling?

Andrew, this is one of our favourite Aussie '96 cabs. Had one end of last year, it was very very good. Certainly expressive and full, and just starting to develop some interesting aged characteristics with buckets of fresh fruit and structure to carry it for at least another 10 years.

Enjoy.

Cheers,

Monghead

[monghead]

Mong,

I've had the Moorooroo twice in the last two years. One was pretty good, the other a bit clunky and oaky. Its the weakest of the 3 IMO. The Flaxman is outstanding and has plenty of life left. Will be trying the Hoffmann at the end of the year.

Mike

thanks for that mike. I might have to try a moorooroo soon.

[JamieBahrain]

2 months ago I did an SVS dinner in Hong Kong-

Basket Press 1996-(14.5%) Was good but certainly not the best 96 I have had. Bottle variation in Basket Press problematic. Came with the raspberry red fruits and new leather. All class and with exceptional length.

92pts

SVS Flaxman Valley 1996- (14.5%) Oh this is good. I love good Eden Valley shiraz and it has generally been an exclusive Henschke forte. There is a cool restraint to the wine. Licorice, dark fruits, fine tannins and goes on for a country mile.

The Steinert family who own the vines ( other vineyard Chris Ringland ) are dairy farmers through and through. They told me they once considered getting rid of their vines to make room for more cows. Thanfully the red wine boom came along....

94pts

SVS Moorooroo 1996- ( 13.5% )I've read on the forums that this has been disappointing. It was quite impressive tonight. Bitumen, blackberry, malty oak. Layered with licorice strap like fruit flavors, nuances of menthol and dried herbs. The wine has well and truly peaked so is very soft finishing and easy drinking. Earth and spicy, red fruits linger.

92pts.

SVS Hoffmanns 1996- ( 14.5% ) This wine leapt from the decanter. It has some of the most concentrated blackberry notes of any shiraz according to the Rockford notes. It sure does! It's an immense wine and behind the voluptuous, rich and ripe blackberry flavors is a second layer of pruney, dark fruits. Vintage port like in a positive sense. Loved it. A medicinal cloud drifted over as I was on my second, marking pass and I scored it down

90pts

[AndrewCowley]

I have some guests over on the weekend and was thinking of opening a 1996 Jacaranda Ridge. Any thoughts how on how it might be travelling?

Andrew, this is one of our favourite Aussie '96 cabs. Had one end of last year, it was very very good. Certainly expressive and full, and just starting to develop some interesting aged characteristics with buckets of fresh fruit and structure to carry it for at least another 10 years.

Enjoy.

Cheers,

Monghead

Wonderful, thanks Monghead. Will definately crack one open tomorrow. Can't wait.

[Gianna]

Monghead,

whilst I know that this post has been running for a long while now, for some reason I had not ventured to reading it.
Anyway, just spent 20 minutes going through the post and it was a terrific read.

I have every one of the Aust wines and champagnes that you posted about ( 96 and other vintages ) , so you have great taste in wines Alas, I have none of the French.

Thanks for the post, really good notes and fabulous to hear about all the wines in my cellar.

You were very lucky with your michelin 3 star experience. I had dinner at Le Cinq last year and ordered a 2002 Charmes Chambertin - cost me over 300 euro -

I reckon you'll add the 707 to your list - a stellar cabernet in my view with 10 yrs of improvement to come.
The 96 Wend Shiraz is awesome as is the John Riddoch -
You should get your hands on a 96 Terra Rossa 1st Growth - simply sensational.

[monghead]

Monghead,

whilst I know that this post has been running for a long while now, for some reason I had not ventured to reading it.
Anyway, just spent 20 minutes going through the post and it was a terrific read.

I have every one of the Aust wines and champagnes that you posted about ( 96 and other vintages ) , so you have great taste in wines Alas, I have none of the French.

Thanks for the post, really good notes and fabulous to hear about all the wines in my cellar.

You were very lucky with your michelin 3 star experience. I had dinner at Le Cinq last year and ordered a 2002 Charmes Chambertin - cost me over 300 euro -

I reckon you'll add the 707 to your list - a stellar cabernet in my view with 10 yrs of improvement to come.
The 96 Wend Shiraz is awesome as is the John Riddoch -
You should get your hands on a 96 Terra Rossa 1st Growth - simply sensational.

Thanks Gianna.

As to the wines you listed, I think they are all sleeping in the cellar, so I'm going to have to sample a few of them soon...

Will let you know...

Cheers,

Monghead.

[monghead]

Well, this break marks the 14th year we have done this. This anniversary celebration also doubled as a babymoon for us. Tucked away in the luxurious seclusion of Qualia, we will be indulging our senses. Although wifey can't help me finish the bottle of wine, she has certainly been enjoying a glass.

The first '96 we have enjoyed this anniversary was one we were fortunate enough to get an instant replacement when found to be corked a couple of months ago. 

1996 Domaine Chave Hermitage (rouge)

Impeccable cork extruded with the ah-so prongs. The wine was a turbid, opaque, yet vibrant garnet. Immediate barnyard funkiness gave way to an intrigueing collage of sour cherries, smoky panchetta, wet granite, black 'tee kun yin' tea, and antique leather. On the palate, these aromas were augmented by a subtle salty bronze minerality and spicy roasted herbs. Medium bodied, but richly complex, there was a tight backbone of acidity which for me, detracted just in the slightest, saved, as it integrated well with the fine powdery supple tannins. A compelling drink, and well worth the 'Very Very Good' I am rating it.  

Cheers

monghed

[Mike Hawkins]

Nice one Mong!

At the risk of hijacking your thread, I had a 96 Meshach last night with fellow forumite Andrew Jordan. A pretty ordinary, oaky wine especially given the price and the vintage. Given the earlier reference to 96 Bin 707, we might take one for the team and pull the cork later this week.

Mike

[monghead]

Nice one Mong!

At the risk of hijacking your thread, I had a 96 Meshach last night with fellow forumite Andrew Jordan. A pretty ordinary, oaky wine especially given the price and the vintage. Given the earlier reference to 96 Bin 707, we might take one for the team and pull the cork later this week.

Mike

No worries Mike, feel free mate. Shame about the Meshach. I was rather hoping this would make my top 5 '96 Shiraz list when I eventually tried it. I remember loving their '95 and '91.

Yes, please update us on the 707, keen to hear about this one, and hey, I am sure your cellar has a couple of these, so for the team, I think you should crack a Block 42 as well to compare.

Anyways, I'll post the next '96 we had last night soon...

Cheers,

Monghead.

[monghead]

On our anniversary night itself, we thought we'd splurge and we spotted this on the wine list...

1996 Krug

A deeper gold than I anticipated, though this may be due to the mood lighting that basked the bar. What was evident though, was that the effervescent bubbles were the size of a pin head, and danced gracefully to the surface. Clearly quite a reductive style of champagne, each delicate bubble brought up to the surface essences of granny smith apples, ruby grapefruit, cinnamon, and brandy sauce. Each taste unfolded layers of added complexity..... succulently bitter lemon rind..... grilled, caramelised pineapples..... nutty manuka honey..... round, buttery bread and butter pudding.... All this with spine-tingling linear acidity, and a depth of flavour that fills every crevice of your palate, and lingers for minutes later. Amazingly, the wine improved right to the very last drop some 5 hours later. Now, over the years I have come to realize I enjoy the more feminine, less reductive styles of champagne, which carresses and pampers you. This champagne however, kept grabbing me and demanded my attention, relentless in it's task to impress. In the end, I conceed that it is a great wine, with remarkable attributes, but in my heart of hearts, perhaps not for me, at this stage of my life..... Perhaps I need to mature, my palate evolve, and this great champagne settle down a little from it's infantile exuberance.

Regardless, it is at least 'Extremely Good'

Cheers,

Monghead.     

[Red Smurf]

Hey Monghead,

Nice notes on the Krug!

Does it make it into your top 5 pushing the Cristal out?

Smurf

[monghead]

Thanks Smurf.

Yes, the list does change, but it may surprise others that the Krug just scrapes in for 5th place...

Australian Shiraz
- Grange
- HOG
- Rockford BP
- Wendouree
- Seppelt Great Western

Australian Cabernet
- Moss Wood
- Quintet
- Petaluma
- Jacaranda Ridge
- Seppelt Dorrien

Champagne
- Dom Perignon
- Salon S
- Pol Roger Winston Churchill
- Taitinger Comptes de Champagne
- Krug

Burgundy
- Rousseau Chambertin
- Roumier Bonnes Mares
- Dujac Clos St Denis
- Groffier Bonnes Mares
- Leroy Gevrey Chambertin "les combottes"

Bordeaux
- Latour
- Margaux
- Ausone
- Las Casses
- Mouton Rothschild

Cheers,

Monghead.

[rooman]

Mong

that is definitely an impressive list of French wines by anybody's standards. nice drinking.

Mark

[monghead]

The last in a triad of '96s this anniversary...

1996 Parker Coonawarra Terra Rossa First Growth Cabernet Sauvignon

Another perfect cork extraction with the ah-so. A healthy amount of sediment required careful double decanting. This gave the wine the hours it needed... It possessed a dark maroon hue, with very minimal bricking when swirled. Still almost primary in it's flavour profile, the only thing hinting at any bottle age was the slightest waft of a leather encased humidor filled with Cubans. Blackcurrants, cassis, olives, tobacco leaf, and cedar oak abounded. Full bodied, deep and complex, with a reasonable persistence, this wine was also Very Very Good. 

Cheers,

Monghead.      

[monghead]

1996 Best's Thomson Family Shiraz

Once the cork was extruded, we knew the wine would be good. Double decanted for the restaurant. Moderate sediment, magenta with copper bricking. Juicy dark ripe berries and wild game leapt up and tantalised. There was generous lashings of smoky mocha oak, but it integrated well, and did not seem out of place. Multi-dimensional, spices, pepper, barnyard and tar intertwined gracefully, finishing with soft supple tannins. While full bodied with an air of opulence, this wine managed to dance the tightrope of elegance, due to it's sublime balance. The only fault (if even it was one) was that there was minimal persistence of flavours, so you had to take another sip in quick succession, then another, then another,  until the bottle was empty... Extremely good.

Monghead.