No start-up again of his usual thread from HRH Prince Monghead, so let's get things cracking with your drinking reports (no matter how brief or inconsequential) over this working week. Thanks be to those who contributed last week.
To kick things off, my offering tonight is a marvelous bit of gear from Trimbach in Alsace in far north-eastern France. Their 1990 Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives (375 ml bottling) has peaked and is just glorious in its honeyed and spiced late-picked apricot, peach and melon richness. A decadent sweet wine, brimming with bucketloads of botrytis affected pinot gris that flows effusively from the outlandishly decadent nose to the thick and viscous palate. Luckily there's enough foil from some seriously good acidity to keep the wine's focus in balance and the lengthy finish carries the common preceding theme with aplomb. It may last for a few years yet, but under the fickle closure of cork, I wouldn't risk my chances. Drink it up before it oxidises. 91 points.
Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
Cheers,
David
David
-
bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
Gee, you're writing well of late, David. I've really been enjoying your tasting notes. You're going to give Campbell a run for his money if you're not careful.
Cheers,
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
Hey, I'm not sure what I did to deserve the HRH and Prince thingy.....
Agreed with Kris, David, sensational writing as usual mate.
For me, I'll stick to impressions whilst abroad...
2001 Les Ormes de Pez- Thin, a little dried out. Sub Good.
2001 Lynch Bages- Admirable depth and concentration, savoury. Very Good.
2006 Margaux Pavillon Rouge- Quaffable, but very over-priced. Just Good.
2006 Margaux- Now we're cooking with gas. Very Very Good.
2000 Pavie Macquain- Still a baby, great structure and finesse. Very Good.
2005 Le Forts de Latour- A monster in it's infancy. Will those in their middle ages ever live to enjoy their 05 Bordeaux? Very Good.
2004 Latour- Wow. Not a great vintage I know, but really, this is enjoyable stuff. Starting to develop some aged characteristics, that power, length and elegance of a fine bordeaux. Class in a Glass Good.
1995 Lafite Rotschild- A super vintage me thinks. Still very young on the nose and palate. Again that splendid elegance. If the '96 is better, can't wait to try it. Maybe in 10-15 years... Superbly Good.
2004 Gruaud Larosse- The most "new world" we have had so far. Quite sweet on the finish, with a mocha/vanilla like oak. Medium bodied. Acceptably Good.
Cheers,
Monghead.
Agreed with Kris, David, sensational writing as usual mate.
For me, I'll stick to impressions whilst abroad...
2001 Les Ormes de Pez- Thin, a little dried out. Sub Good.
2001 Lynch Bages- Admirable depth and concentration, savoury. Very Good.
2006 Margaux Pavillon Rouge- Quaffable, but very over-priced. Just Good.
2006 Margaux- Now we're cooking with gas. Very Very Good.
2000 Pavie Macquain- Still a baby, great structure and finesse. Very Good.
2005 Le Forts de Latour- A monster in it's infancy. Will those in their middle ages ever live to enjoy their 05 Bordeaux? Very Good.
2004 Latour- Wow. Not a great vintage I know, but really, this is enjoyable stuff. Starting to develop some aged characteristics, that power, length and elegance of a fine bordeaux. Class in a Glass Good.
1995 Lafite Rotschild- A super vintage me thinks. Still very young on the nose and palate. Again that splendid elegance. If the '96 is better, can't wait to try it. Maybe in 10-15 years... Superbly Good.
2004 Gruaud Larosse- The most "new world" we have had so far. Quite sweet on the finish, with a mocha/vanilla like oak. Medium bodied. Acceptably Good.
Cheers,
Monghead.
-
bacchaebabe
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
A couple last night at A'Mews in Glebe before it shuts the doors forever:
98 Petaluma Riesling A dehydrated pee colour according to my girlfriend (all class!). Beautiful toasty nose following through on palate with a rich luscious honey and a touch of spice and ginger. Very good length. Very happy with the way this has developed. 93
98 Torbreck The Steading A 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 20% Shiraz blend. Red purple colour. Initially a little bland although once we started eating it transformed. I guess the grenache is such a good food wine that way, particularly with more Italian styled foods, which that particular course was. The tomato sauce really brought out the plums and black fruits and a nice savoury element that just set the whole thing of perfectly. 93
05 Cookootharma Botrytis Semillon Deep rich yellow. Gorgeous rich nose of apricots and toffee. Repeated on the palate with dried apricots, marmelade and brulee. Good length and a rich body to this. Well judged acid leeps it from cloying. A very solid stickie. 92
98 Petaluma Riesling A dehydrated pee colour according to my girlfriend (all class!). Beautiful toasty nose following through on palate with a rich luscious honey and a touch of spice and ginger. Very good length. Very happy with the way this has developed. 93
98 Torbreck The Steading A 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 20% Shiraz blend. Red purple colour. Initially a little bland although once we started eating it transformed. I guess the grenache is such a good food wine that way, particularly with more Italian styled foods, which that particular course was. The tomato sauce really brought out the plums and black fruits and a nice savoury element that just set the whole thing of perfectly. 93
05 Cookootharma Botrytis Semillon Deep rich yellow. Gorgeous rich nose of apricots and toffee. Repeated on the palate with dried apricots, marmelade and brulee. Good length and a rich body to this. Well judged acid leeps it from cloying. A very solid stickie. 92
Cheers,
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
Kris
There's a fine wine between pleasure and pain
(Stolen from the graffiti in the ladies loos at Pegasus Bay winery)
-
Aaron Lovett
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:07 pm
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
1988 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon- I stood this one up for a day to let any sediment settle at the bottom of the bottle. The cork slid out without too much trouble and came out in one piece. There was some staining up the side, but there was no leakage, as evidenced by the level being a centimetre or 2 up the neck. As the cork came out, there was a glorious cabernet aroma released from the bottle, all red berries and earth, and a eucalypt/gravelly smell that I associate with Margaret River.
Step 2 was to take a small sip to confirm that there was no cork taint or oxidation. Hooray another success! I decided against decanting (as I'm not very bold when it comes to wines of this age) and just let it "Audoze" for an hour before taking it to the restaurant.
The first glass was poured about 2.5 hours since it had been opened, and it had fleshed out and improved. It showed the same characters as before, but with more depth and length. I didn't get much noticeable oak, and the wine was all the better for it. By the end of the bottle I also picked up some licorice notes, which for me was a bit unusual for cabernet. There was also very little sediment in the bottle, and what sediment there was, it was very fine. Not the usual large chunks you would expect to find in a wine of this age.
All things considered, this was a lovely bottle of elegant wine that went well with food. If only I could drink wines like this every day. Alas my only bottle.
Step 2 was to take a small sip to confirm that there was no cork taint or oxidation. Hooray another success! I decided against decanting (as I'm not very bold when it comes to wines of this age) and just let it "Audoze" for an hour before taking it to the restaurant.
The first glass was poured about 2.5 hours since it had been opened, and it had fleshed out and improved. It showed the same characters as before, but with more depth and length. I didn't get much noticeable oak, and the wine was all the better for it. By the end of the bottle I also picked up some licorice notes, which for me was a bit unusual for cabernet. There was also very little sediment in the bottle, and what sediment there was, it was very fine. Not the usual large chunks you would expect to find in a wine of this age.
All things considered, this was a lovely bottle of elegant wine that went well with food. If only I could drink wines like this every day. Alas my only bottle.
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
2008 Lethbridge 'Menage a Noir' Pinot Noir- cherries, strawberries, forest floor, rhubarb, cola and a heap of spice. Sappy tannins. Fine at $24 but I'd go up in the Lethbridge range next time. Lacks a little depth.
2008 Pizzini Pinot Grigio- brown pears, nashi, melon, lemon, cloves, seaspray. A soft entry with some oil like qualities quickly moves into some beautiful acid & minerality. Some pleasant phenolics on the finish, which is long. Excellent Grigio
2008 Pizzini Pinot Grigio- brown pears, nashi, melon, lemon, cloves, seaspray. A soft entry with some oil like qualities quickly moves into some beautiful acid & minerality. Some pleasant phenolics on the finish, which is long. Excellent Grigio
As always, IMVHO. And Cheers
jeremy- http://winewilleatitself.blogspot.com/
jeremy- http://winewilleatitself.blogspot.com/
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
A few more over a variety of meals here... All Right bankers, St Emillon.
2000 Chateau Beau-Sejour (1erGCC)- Very good indeed. Elegant too. Very Good.
2003 Chateau Angelus (1er GCC)- Quite forward and open for a very young bordeaux. Admirable depth and concentration. A little hot on the finish. Very Good.
2001 Couvent de Jacobins (GCC)- In the leaner, more savoury style of bordeaux. Not sure if this will get any better. Just Good.
2004 Chateau Destieux (GC)- Decidedly new world, riper fruit, sweeter palate. Good.
1998 Chateau Grand Mayne (GCC)- Deep, dark, concentrated, with a good slab of oak. Cigar galore. Will continue to improve. Very Very Good.
Cheers,
Monghead.
2000 Chateau Beau-Sejour (1erGCC)- Very good indeed. Elegant too. Very Good.
2003 Chateau Angelus (1er GCC)- Quite forward and open for a very young bordeaux. Admirable depth and concentration. A little hot on the finish. Very Good.
2001 Couvent de Jacobins (GCC)- In the leaner, more savoury style of bordeaux. Not sure if this will get any better. Just Good.
2004 Chateau Destieux (GC)- Decidedly new world, riper fruit, sweeter palate. Good.
1998 Chateau Grand Mayne (GCC)- Deep, dark, concentrated, with a good slab of oak. Cigar galore. Will continue to improve. Very Very Good.
Cheers,
Monghead.
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
Hey, this thread does not seem to be going too well.
Here's my effort to boost it...
2004 La Mission Haut Brion- Good clean, bright fruits. Long on the palate, finishing quite firm. Very Good.
2004 Haut Brion- Gravel, tobacco, darker fruits, more complex. More rounded, softer tannins. Very Very Good.
1986 Chateau Certan de May- Drinking at it's peak. Cigar smoke on opening, but within an hour (not decanted, 3/4 left in bottle), it blossomed into a very fine aged claret. Mellow plums and cranberries provided fruit sweetness, whilst cigar and tobacco leaf aromas perfused a savoury palate of old leather and freshly picked chantrelle mushrooms from a cedar forest a day after a light drizzle on a French auutumn dusk. The finish was silky smooth, and left you wanting more. A top drop. Exceptionally Good.
Monghead.
Here's my effort to boost it...
2004 La Mission Haut Brion- Good clean, bright fruits. Long on the palate, finishing quite firm. Very Good.
2004 Haut Brion- Gravel, tobacco, darker fruits, more complex. More rounded, softer tannins. Very Very Good.
1986 Chateau Certan de May- Drinking at it's peak. Cigar smoke on opening, but within an hour (not decanted, 3/4 left in bottle), it blossomed into a very fine aged claret. Mellow plums and cranberries provided fruit sweetness, whilst cigar and tobacco leaf aromas perfused a savoury palate of old leather and freshly picked chantrelle mushrooms from a cedar forest a day after a light drizzle on a French auutumn dusk. The finish was silky smooth, and left you wanting more. A top drop. Exceptionally Good.
Monghead.
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
monghead wrote:Hey, this thread does not seem to be going too well.
Monghead.
Agreed ..... perhaps you should kick it off next week, my friend. I'm sure that will get the regulars back posting.
Cheers,
David
David
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
Perhaps no one drunk anything this week? Too hot....
Cheers
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Wayno
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
dlo wrote:monghead wrote:Hey, this thread does not seem to be going too well.
Monghead.
Agreed ..... perhaps you should kick it off next week, my friend. I'm sure it will get the regulars back posting.
Just been a little busy myself. Maybe the same for others at this time of year? Anyway, I'm still grateful for the thread. Here's another wine I really enjoyed this week-
2009 Smallfry Tempranillo Ganarcha Joven- Wonderfully fragrant with black and red jubey fruit, raspberry coulis, tree bark, plum tomatoes and sour cherries. All of this plays out on the palate which is excellently structured with juicy but not overdone acidity and sandy grippy tannins of some quality. It's very spicy too. Mostly cinnamon and pepper. The balance of savoury, sour & sweet flavours works a treat. 110 cases
I'm beginning to think some of the most exciting wines I'm tasting from the Barossa are being produced by the small guys. Which is not an attack on bigger names. It is just how I am experiencing things. Certainly it is encouraging me to delve more deeply into lesser known wineries and get more word of mouth advice on what to try next. I have been told by some people that the Barossa is "too comercial". That really seems a simplistic viewpoint to me now. It sort of did when I first heard it to be honest.
Wayno, it has to be real hot for me not to drink
As always, IMVHO. And Cheers
jeremy- http://winewilleatitself.blogspot.com/
jeremy- http://winewilleatitself.blogspot.com/
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
And crikey .... you've been downing some pretty serious gear!
2001 Les Ormes de Pez- Thin, a little dried out. Sub Good.
2001 Lynch Bages- Admirable depth and concentration, savoury. Very Good.
2006 Margaux Pavillon Rouge- Quaffable, but very over-priced. Just Good.
2006 Margaux- Now we're cooking with gas. Very Very Good.
2000 Pavie Macquain- Still a baby, great structure and finesse. Very Good.
2005 Le Forts de Latour- A monster in it's infancy. Will those in their middle ages ever live to enjoy their 05 Bordeaux? Very Good.
2004 Latour- Wow. Not a great vintage I know, but really, this is enjoyable stuff. Starting to develop some aged characteristics, that power, length and elegance of a fine bordeaux. Class in a Glass Good.
1995 Lafite Rotschild- A super vintage me thinks. Still very young on the nose and palate. Again that splendid elegance. If the '96 is better, can't wait to try it. Maybe in 10-15 years... Superbly Good.
2004 Gruaud Larose- The most "new world" we have had so far. Quite sweet on the finish, with a mocha/vanilla like oak. Medium bodied. Acceptably Good.
2000 Chateau Beau-Sejour (1erGCC)- Very good indeed. Elegant too. Very Good.
2003 Chateau Angelus (1er GCC)- Quite forward and open for a very young bordeaux. Admirable depth and concentration. A little hot on the finish. Very Good.
2001 Couvent de Jacobins (GCC)- In the leaner, more savoury style of bordeaux. Not sure if this will get any better. Just Good.
2004 Chateau Destieux (GC)- Decidedly new world, riper fruit, sweeter palate. Good.
1998 Chateau Grand Mayne (GCC)- Deep, dark, concentrated, with a good slab of oak. Cigar galore. Will continue to improve. Very Very Good.
2004 La Mission Haut Brion- Good clean, bright fruits. Long on the palate, finishing quite firm. Very Good.
2004 Haut Brion- Gravel, tobacco, darker fruits, more complex. More rounded, softer tannins. Very Very Good.
1986 Chateau Certan de May
Keep up the good work!
2001 Les Ormes de Pez- Thin, a little dried out. Sub Good.
2001 Lynch Bages- Admirable depth and concentration, savoury. Very Good.
2006 Margaux Pavillon Rouge- Quaffable, but very over-priced. Just Good.
2006 Margaux- Now we're cooking with gas. Very Very Good.
2000 Pavie Macquain- Still a baby, great structure and finesse. Very Good.
2005 Le Forts de Latour- A monster in it's infancy. Will those in their middle ages ever live to enjoy their 05 Bordeaux? Very Good.
2004 Latour- Wow. Not a great vintage I know, but really, this is enjoyable stuff. Starting to develop some aged characteristics, that power, length and elegance of a fine bordeaux. Class in a Glass Good.
1995 Lafite Rotschild- A super vintage me thinks. Still very young on the nose and palate. Again that splendid elegance. If the '96 is better, can't wait to try it. Maybe in 10-15 years... Superbly Good.
2004 Gruaud Larose- The most "new world" we have had so far. Quite sweet on the finish, with a mocha/vanilla like oak. Medium bodied. Acceptably Good.
2000 Chateau Beau-Sejour (1erGCC)- Very good indeed. Elegant too. Very Good.
2003 Chateau Angelus (1er GCC)- Quite forward and open for a very young bordeaux. Admirable depth and concentration. A little hot on the finish. Very Good.
2001 Couvent de Jacobins (GCC)- In the leaner, more savoury style of bordeaux. Not sure if this will get any better. Just Good.
2004 Chateau Destieux (GC)- Decidedly new world, riper fruit, sweeter palate. Good.
1998 Chateau Grand Mayne (GCC)- Deep, dark, concentrated, with a good slab of oak. Cigar galore. Will continue to improve. Very Very Good.
2004 La Mission Haut Brion- Good clean, bright fruits. Long on the palate, finishing quite firm. Very Good.
2004 Haut Brion- Gravel, tobacco, darker fruits, more complex. More rounded, softer tannins. Very Very Good.
1986 Chateau Certan de May
Keep up the good work!
Cheers,
David
David
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
Trust me. I have been drinking them. Just too busy to write them up. I have a awful thesis to write 
cheers
Carl
cheers
Carl
Bartenders are supposed to have people skills. Or was it people are supposed to have bartending skills?
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
griff wrote:Trust me. I have been drinking them. Just too busy to write them up. I have a awful thesis to write
cheers
Carl
Don't sell yourself short. I'm sure your thesis won't be awful!
As always, IMVHO. And Cheers
jeremy- http://winewilleatitself.blogspot.com/
jeremy- http://winewilleatitself.blogspot.com/
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
jeremy wrote:griff wrote:Trust me. I have been drinking them. Just too busy to write them up. I have a awful thesis to write
cheers
Carl
Don't sell yourself short. I'm sure your thesis won't be awful!
When I can't even get my spelling right when I complain I'm not so confident
cheers
Carl
Bartenders are supposed to have people skills. Or was it people are supposed to have bartending skills?
Re: Midweek Madness Once Again (Nov 9 - 13)
dlo wrote:And crikey .... you've been downing some pretty serious gear!
2001 Les Ormes de Pez- Thin, a little dried out. Sub Good.
2001 Lynch Bages- Admirable depth and concentration, savoury. Very Good.
2006 Margaux Pavillon Rouge- Quaffable, but very over-priced. Just Good.
2006 Margaux- Now we're cooking with gas. Very Very Good.
2000 Pavie Macquain- Still a baby, great structure and finesse. Very Good.
2005 Le Forts de Latour- A monster in it's infancy. Will those in their middle ages ever live to enjoy their 05 Bordeaux? Very Good.
2004 Latour- Wow. Not a great vintage I know, but really, this is enjoyable stuff. Starting to develop some aged characteristics, that power, length and elegance of a fine bordeaux. Class in a Glass Good.
1995 Lafite Rotschild- A super vintage me thinks. Still very young on the nose and palate. Again that splendid elegance. If the '96 is better, can't wait to try it. Maybe in 10-15 years... Superbly Good.
2004 Gruaud Larose- The most "new world" we have had so far. Quite sweet on the finish, with a mocha/vanilla like oak. Medium bodied. Acceptably Good.
2000 Chateau Beau-Sejour (1erGCC)- Very good indeed. Elegant too. Very Good.
2003 Chateau Angelus (1er GCC)- Quite forward and open for a very young bordeaux. Admirable depth and concentration. A little hot on the finish. Very Good.
2001 Couvent de Jacobins (GCC)- In the leaner, more savoury style of bordeaux. Not sure if this will get any better. Just Good.
2004 Chateau Destieux (GC)- Decidedly new world, riper fruit, sweeter palate. Good.
1998 Chateau Grand Mayne (GCC)- Deep, dark, concentrated, with a good slab of oak. Cigar galore. Will continue to improve. Very Very Good.
2004 La Mission Haut Brion- Good clean, bright fruits. Long on the palate, finishing quite firm. Very Good.
2004 Haut Brion- Gravel, tobacco, darker fruits, more complex. More rounded, softer tannins. Very Very Good.
1986 Chateau Certan de May
Keep up the good work!
I'm sure there's at least a couple of self-proclaimed cognoscenti (don't know the French equivalent) at *Forum who need lessons in such succinct, expressive TN writing. Wish I could afford to try some of that gear, even more so in comparison with any possibly comparable Australian wines. The 04 Haut Brions sound appealing.
Cheers
daz