Still drink'n' cheapies but at least one of 'em was pretty good.
Jacob's Creek Riesling 2009 is a big step up from the almost off-dry 2008 example I tried recently. Very pale straw colour, some floral notes on the bouquet, good depth of citrus on the palate, acidity nicely balanced, medium length finish, it's a very approachable, enjoyable young riesling. If this is representative of the 2009 SA riesling vintage, it seems the comments I've seen are right about it being a very good one. I suspect I may not enjoy the JC Reserve 2008 lined up in the fridge as much. Another JC, the Grenache Shiraz 2008 is a fair enough bbq wine, juicy, a little confected, minimal oak but it did have some carry on the finish.
Another tried is Catching Thieves Cabernet Merlot 2008. More in the savoury style, it has an underlying bitterness that spoiled my enjoyment of it even though everything else was in place, cabernet dominant with cassis/blackberry, cedar oak in the background, drying tannins on the finish.
BTW, has anyone tried Saltram Barossa Shiraz Cab 2005. I picked up a discounted bottle at the barn on a whim. Halliday rated the 2006 94pts.
Cheers
daz
Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Lack of boozing lately and no one to help me drink last night saw me head for my collection of half bottes which is very small.
08 Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay. Perhaps slightly weightier than the 08 KR hunting hill chardonnay I had last week, and a little more serious in style i think in a nut shell it tastes like a bluff oyster with a generous squeeze of lemon. There is the quartz mineral and lemon citrus structure overlaid with a cloak of oyster shell, saline or salty lips savouriness. it is a very concentrated wine. Perhaps the Hunting Hill is more approachable at present. Good stuff. I can see my stocks of this evaporating before it reaches its peak. Will have to grab one or two more.
08 Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay. Perhaps slightly weightier than the 08 KR hunting hill chardonnay I had last week, and a little more serious in style i think in a nut shell it tastes like a bluff oyster with a generous squeeze of lemon. There is the quartz mineral and lemon citrus structure overlaid with a cloak of oyster shell, saline or salty lips savouriness. it is a very concentrated wine. Perhaps the Hunting Hill is more approachable at present. Good stuff. I can see my stocks of this evaporating before it reaches its peak. Will have to grab one or two more.
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
1964 Ernest Mee's Winteler Steinader Natur Rheingau Riesling
Golden yellow in colour, smelling of sweet honeysuckle, candied citrus, hay and some kero with breathing. The texture of the palate mouth coating and slightly oily, smooth and silky, honey, a touch of candied orange and some gentle lemon butter. This wine took a good hour to open and reveal all of its nose and flavour profile. After about 2-3 hours the Kero characteristic starts to emerge but never seems to dominate the nose or the palate. The honey/honeysuckle characteristic remains dominate the whole time with the citrus and other flavours adding complexity and personality to a soft old wine.
2000 Jacobs Creek 30th Anniversary Cab/Shiraz
Jacobs Creek, 30th Anniversary wine made from the 2000 vintage and released in 2006 to celebrate 30 years of the Jacobs Creek brand and label. The bottle reads a blend of premium Shiraz 62% and Cabernet 38% from various wine regions around Australia. Although known as a lesser vintage this wine was impressive with a lovely nose of black fruits including cherry, blackberry, plums, cassis, mint and dark chocolate which leapt out of the decanter. These flavours followed on the palate in a seamless medium weight wine, well balanced and smooth with drying tannins. According to the label it should be just entering its drinking window and should continue to improve for another 5 years, i tend to agree.
Golden yellow in colour, smelling of sweet honeysuckle, candied citrus, hay and some kero with breathing. The texture of the palate mouth coating and slightly oily, smooth and silky, honey, a touch of candied orange and some gentle lemon butter. This wine took a good hour to open and reveal all of its nose and flavour profile. After about 2-3 hours the Kero characteristic starts to emerge but never seems to dominate the nose or the palate. The honey/honeysuckle characteristic remains dominate the whole time with the citrus and other flavours adding complexity and personality to a soft old wine.
2000 Jacobs Creek 30th Anniversary Cab/Shiraz
Jacobs Creek, 30th Anniversary wine made from the 2000 vintage and released in 2006 to celebrate 30 years of the Jacobs Creek brand and label. The bottle reads a blend of premium Shiraz 62% and Cabernet 38% from various wine regions around Australia. Although known as a lesser vintage this wine was impressive with a lovely nose of black fruits including cherry, blackberry, plums, cassis, mint and dark chocolate which leapt out of the decanter. These flavours followed on the palate in a seamless medium weight wine, well balanced and smooth with drying tannins. According to the label it should be just entering its drinking window and should continue to improve for another 5 years, i tend to agree.
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
I have been cleaning out some old stock from the cellar. Had a Bowen Cab Sav 2003 last night with a paella. Pleasant enough cab sav. Soft tannins, red berry fruit though in a blind tasting I would have struggled to pick this as a cab sav grape. More like a cheap fruity pinot. Definitely in the drink now category.
Rosemount GSM 2001 I picked up a case years ago after wine spectator gave this 93 pts and then lost it at the back of the cellar. Since finding it about 3-4 months ago, I have actually been really thrilled with the wine. It was a well built Rosemount from the days before the label imploded. Still has great structure with earthy dryish fruit with a hint of tar and licorice. I wish I had more of this to quaff during the week at home.
Rosemount GSM 2001 I picked up a case years ago after wine spectator gave this 93 pts and then lost it at the back of the cellar. Since finding it about 3-4 months ago, I have actually been really thrilled with the wine. It was a well built Rosemount from the days before the label imploded. Still has great structure with earthy dryish fruit with a hint of tar and licorice. I wish I had more of this to quaff during the week at home.
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Greetings From Yangshuo Mountain Retreat, China
Wine is a tad expensive here so consumption has been drastically reduced.
With our Peking Duck in Beijing a bottle of Jacobs Creek 2006 Reserve Chardonnay. Probably been poorly cellared, past its best and in the fridge for a long time, served near freezing the fruit was muted and should have been sent back however I did recall stories of unhappy chefs charging out of the kitchen wielding large clevers so decided to grin and bear it. At AUD 70.00 a little over the top.
Did take 2 bottles with us from Oz and first last nght, Peter Lehmann 2004 Peppers Maranaga Cab . Like the Elvis song - all shook up - and suffering from extended travel. Still better thank nothing although duty free single malt has helped ease the pain.
Chuck
Wine is a tad expensive here so consumption has been drastically reduced.
With our Peking Duck in Beijing a bottle of Jacobs Creek 2006 Reserve Chardonnay. Probably been poorly cellared, past its best and in the fridge for a long time, served near freezing the fruit was muted and should have been sent back however I did recall stories of unhappy chefs charging out of the kitchen wielding large clevers so decided to grin and bear it. At AUD 70.00 a little over the top.
Did take 2 bottles with us from Oz and first last nght, Peter Lehmann 2004 Peppers Maranaga Cab . Like the Elvis song - all shook up - and suffering from extended travel. Still better thank nothing although duty free single malt has helped ease the pain.
Chuck
Your worst game of golf is better than your best day at work
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
My eldest daughter turns 21 today and last night we shouted our immediate family and Katherine's closest friends dinner at Aubergine restaurant at Griffith shops here in Canberra to celebrate the occasion. This is a top class restaurant and owner/chef, Ben Willis and staff, once again, looked after our 15 strong party with terrific food and friendly, attentive, top-shelf service - something all too rarely found in Canberra restaurants these days. Thanks ever so much, particularly to new arrival, Briony, restaurant manager, Graham, Steve and their colleagues that looked after us on the evening. A great time was had by all in attendance.
We opened the following wines for the evening -
Hugel 1989 Alsace Riesling "Hugel" Vendange Tardive "350th Anniversary Release" - brilliant! Not as opulent or lush as the Trimbach CFE VT from the same vintage but every bit as good in its own right. Infantile colour for its age, riveting nose of ripe white peaches, kaffir leaf, limes, chalky minerals and a whiff of toast. Still fresh and most invigorating! The palate raises the bar another notch (or three) - perfectly wrought with stunning balance between slightly sweet but perfectly integrated flavours that mimic the nose and just the best acid cut imaginable. Finishes ohso long with amazing clarity and precision. Drink now - 2020. 95 points.
Jim Barry 2002 The Lodge Hill Riesling - screw cap - for a top-of-the range Riesling this disappointed somewhat. Developed straw gold colour with an oily/petrolly nose swamping anything underneath. The palate a little better with attractive limey fruit and again plenty of toast and petrol but, structurally, just a little too phenolic for my liking. Drink up, if you have any. 84 points.
Grosset 2002 Polish Hill Riesling - screw cap - I bought a dozen of these at release and have always thought highly of them, although, to date, the few I've tried have been very tight and reticent albeit, always, with enormous potential for some higher degree of greatness. The bottle opened last night did not fit this billing. Nice enough bouquet with some oiliness and attractive toasty character sitting atop pristine lime and mineral-tinged fruit but I found the palate in compartments with hole-in-the-middle syndrome and quite harsh acidity predominating in the finish. It was a notch above the 2002 Lodge Hill but in the end I had trouble getting to a score of 87 points. I need to revisit another bottle to check out if this was an errant bottle, the wine's gone into some sort of terrible transitional phase or, possibly, something worse.
Lindemans 1990 Coonawarra "Sesquicentennary" Cabernet Savignon (Magnum) - opened, seemingly, a little thin and leafy but grew in the decanters to blossom into something quite special to the half dozen of us who drank red wine on the night. (The staff were well catered for with this one!). At 12.9% A/V and matured in new French Never oak, this outstanding example of Coonawarra cabernet eventually revealed a melange of cool climate scents and flavours that consistently kept you looking (and finding) something of more interest. Neither heavy or too "lean and green", everyone who tried it agreed on its superior balance and smoothness braced with fine, lacy tannins and melting bright acids. The wine has considerable room for better things over the long term, perhaps even the next 20 years. A good long decant is necessary if drinking in the near term to allow it build its latent quality for your enjoyment. 91+ points.
Chateau Coutet 1981 - This was a recent purchase and apart from a very mature but attractive nose the palate was like hitting a brick wall. Dead from the middle palate and thereafter. All my previous bottles were quite spectacular from a very good vintage from this very fine Barsac Chateau. 72 points.
We opened the following wines for the evening -
Hugel 1989 Alsace Riesling "Hugel" Vendange Tardive "350th Anniversary Release" - brilliant! Not as opulent or lush as the Trimbach CFE VT from the same vintage but every bit as good in its own right. Infantile colour for its age, riveting nose of ripe white peaches, kaffir leaf, limes, chalky minerals and a whiff of toast. Still fresh and most invigorating! The palate raises the bar another notch (or three) - perfectly wrought with stunning balance between slightly sweet but perfectly integrated flavours that mimic the nose and just the best acid cut imaginable. Finishes ohso long with amazing clarity and precision. Drink now - 2020. 95 points.
Jim Barry 2002 The Lodge Hill Riesling - screw cap - for a top-of-the range Riesling this disappointed somewhat. Developed straw gold colour with an oily/petrolly nose swamping anything underneath. The palate a little better with attractive limey fruit and again plenty of toast and petrol but, structurally, just a little too phenolic for my liking. Drink up, if you have any. 84 points.
Grosset 2002 Polish Hill Riesling - screw cap - I bought a dozen of these at release and have always thought highly of them, although, to date, the few I've tried have been very tight and reticent albeit, always, with enormous potential for some higher degree of greatness. The bottle opened last night did not fit this billing. Nice enough bouquet with some oiliness and attractive toasty character sitting atop pristine lime and mineral-tinged fruit but I found the palate in compartments with hole-in-the-middle syndrome and quite harsh acidity predominating in the finish. It was a notch above the 2002 Lodge Hill but in the end I had trouble getting to a score of 87 points. I need to revisit another bottle to check out if this was an errant bottle, the wine's gone into some sort of terrible transitional phase or, possibly, something worse.
Lindemans 1990 Coonawarra "Sesquicentennary" Cabernet Savignon (Magnum) - opened, seemingly, a little thin and leafy but grew in the decanters to blossom into something quite special to the half dozen of us who drank red wine on the night. (The staff were well catered for with this one!). At 12.9% A/V and matured in new French Never oak, this outstanding example of Coonawarra cabernet eventually revealed a melange of cool climate scents and flavours that consistently kept you looking (and finding) something of more interest. Neither heavy or too "lean and green", everyone who tried it agreed on its superior balance and smoothness braced with fine, lacy tannins and melting bright acids. The wine has considerable room for better things over the long term, perhaps even the next 20 years. A good long decant is necessary if drinking in the near term to allow it build its latent quality for your enjoyment. 91+ points.
Chateau Coutet 1981 - This was a recent purchase and apart from a very mature but attractive nose the palate was like hitting a brick wall. Dead from the middle palate and thereafter. All my previous bottles were quite spectacular from a very good vintage from this very fine Barsac Chateau. 72 points.
Last edited by dlo on Sun May 16, 2010 7:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cheers,
David
David
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Just collected all my wine from my friend's passive cellar to transport to professional storage. A fun time to find surprises. Amongst these is a dozen Classic Mclaren La Testa '01 Chardonnays. About five years ago I tried these with Andrew Braithwaite, winemaker with CMC. The oak was overpowering, making this a very unpopular wine, particularly with the fashionable ABC type. I bought this dozen very cheaply, then promptly forgot about it. We've just opened one, expecting the worst. Poured light amber, still not too dark (hoping, hoping..). The nose still shows evident oak, with melon and strong vanilla, caramel notes. Palate is gorgeous! With the proviso oaky Chardonnay doesn't frighten you. Almost a dessert wine, toffee/caramel over peach, finishing with distinct melon and some slight grassy hints. Acid practically gone. A very pleasant surprise. Not sure I want to risk too much more storage time though.
Not so pleasant a surprise is the two dozen "home bottled" (actually bottled at work with a group) CMC Shiraz. Pity,, great fruit and a very nice drink for the first six months, but never meant to be stored. I just forgot I had these. Anyone know how I can turn them into vinegar?
Cheers,
Mark
PS: David, just read your post on Jim Barry 2002 The Lodge Hill Riesling. I found a couple in my collection. Thanks for the heads up, I'll be opening soon.
Not so pleasant a surprise is the two dozen "home bottled" (actually bottled at work with a group) CMC Shiraz. Pity,, great fruit and a very nice drink for the first six months, but never meant to be stored. I just forgot I had these. Anyone know how I can turn them into vinegar?
Cheers,
Mark
PS: David, just read your post on Jim Barry 2002 The Lodge Hill Riesling. I found a couple in my collection. Thanks for the heads up, I'll be opening soon.
Cheers,
Mark
Mark
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
07 Wild Earth Pinot , Lovelly wild cherries , soft velvet tannins with a nice bit of aggression on the back palate and great value for a pinot from central Otago, Paid 33 bucks and picked up a couple of 08's as well
01 Clarendon Hills Hickenbottom vineyard Grenache, Tiring a little but still an excellent wine / Mind you it did have some hot burning and a horrible slightly burnt aftertaste so maybe not as well looked after as first thought
98 taylors St Andrews Shiraz , fantastic colour still rich raw n ready (a bit like me LOL
) yes this was a fanatstic red
05 Taylors St Andrews Chardonnay , Yummy toasty oak etc no notes it was just good
regards Dazza
01 Clarendon Hills Hickenbottom vineyard Grenache, Tiring a little but still an excellent wine / Mind you it did have some hot burning and a horrible slightly burnt aftertaste so maybe not as well looked after as first thought
98 taylors St Andrews Shiraz , fantastic colour still rich raw n ready (a bit like me LOL
) yes this was a fanatstic red 05 Taylors St Andrews Chardonnay , Yummy toasty oak etc no notes it was just good
regards Dazza
Last edited by dazza1968 on Sun May 16, 2010 11:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Some people slurp it,others swill it,a few sip on it,some gaze at it for hours ,enough now wheres the RED
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Michael McNally
- Posts: 2084
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:06 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Had some friends over for a BBQ last night:
1999 Mitchelton Blackwood Park Riesling. Cork
Fabulous stuff. Gold in the glass and in the mouth. Fruit kicking along quite nicely with lemon butter and lime soda. Acid still clean. Finished long and waxy. Texturally lovely. Nice old riesling. Excellent.
2005 Mt Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz. SC.
These Billi Billis overdeliver. The 2006 was brilliant and my friend found some 2005. Not as deep as the 06 but good shiraz. Very, Very Good.
2005 Five Geese McLaren Vael Grenache Shiraz. Cork.
Lovely blend this. Not too sweet on the Grenache and light on the shiraz. Great with the steak. VVG to Excellent.
found room for some more Seppeltsfield Vintage Port (the 2006 this time). I think thi is a better wine than the 98, though it's hard to compare. Two things going for it though are: 1 screwcao; and 2 twice as much port (750ml as opposed to 375!!!) VVG.
Cheers
Michael
1999 Mitchelton Blackwood Park Riesling. Cork
Fabulous stuff. Gold in the glass and in the mouth. Fruit kicking along quite nicely with lemon butter and lime soda. Acid still clean. Finished long and waxy. Texturally lovely. Nice old riesling. Excellent.
2005 Mt Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz. SC.
These Billi Billis overdeliver. The 2006 was brilliant and my friend found some 2005. Not as deep as the 06 but good shiraz. Very, Very Good.
2005 Five Geese McLaren Vael Grenache Shiraz. Cork.
Lovely blend this. Not too sweet on the Grenache and light on the shiraz. Great with the steak. VVG to Excellent.
found room for some more Seppeltsfield Vintage Port (the 2006 this time). I think thi is a better wine than the 98, though it's hard to compare. Two things going for it though are: 1 screwcao; and 2 twice as much port (750ml as opposed to 375!!!) VVG.
Cheers
Michael
Bonum Vinum Laetificat Cor Hominis
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Waiters Friend
- Posts: 2777
- Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:09 am
- Location: Perth WA
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Hi Daz
The delightful Sue and I have been up in the Bickley Valley (Perth Hills) this weekend, and there's a couple of wines to report.
The ever-reliable Cosham http://www.coshamwines.com.au/ is changing vintages on a couple of wines, so I was able to pick up their 2005 Chardonnay (the house white here for some time) at 25% off, and a mystery 2002 Cabernet Merlot (unlabelled) at $50 a case - and it's fine - it is the best 8 y.o. red I will see this year at $4.25 a bottle.....
Maxinne at Cosham was also happy to sell me (by prior arrangement) a bottle each of the next vintages (2006 Chardonnay and 2005 Cabernet Merlot) purely for evaluation purposes of course
, and it seems Anthony (Maxinne's son and one of the owners) wasn't sure about selling them to me so young! The Chardonnay is a continuation of the fine drop the 2005 was, and we haven't got around to the CM yet. For wines released at 5 years of age (not specifically by design like Grange, but there is an element of holding the wines back) these are ridiculously good VFM.
Next door at Myattsfield, http://www.myattsfield.com.au/ a youngish couple (Josh and Rachel, both qualified winemakers) is making a real go of making their own wines, and for other local growers as well. They're also experimenting with different varieties (but not just for the sake of it), and source grapes from Bickley, Carmel and Chittering Valleys. I (who has yet to find a good straight Merlot anywhere) was pleasantly surprised by their reserve red, which (2005 vintage) is 95% Merlot, with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon stated on the label. The surprise packet is the mysterious 2% Petit Verdot (not on the label) that they have somehow squeezed into what must have been a full tank by then, and this really lifts the wine nicely.
Josh also tells me that they will be releasing the remaining stock of a Touriga Nacionale (their port grape - sorry 'fortified') made as a table wine in July. I'd love to have a look. I was also pleasantly surprised by their Verdelho, a variety I associate with 'sunshine in a glass' in the WA sense - all acid and tropical fruits. This is dryer than the average, and has less obvious pineapple replaced with an intriguing mouthfeel / texture that is almost lees-like. It's not, according to Josh, it's just how the grapes fermented, but this is the more complex style of Verdelho he and Rachel were trying to achieve.
Earlier on Saturday, we lunched at Brookside Winery http://www.brooksidevineyard.com.au/. The website won't actually tell you much, but, dining outdoors, this is one of the most picturesque locations in the Bickley Valley. Lunch is limited in choice, but the platter-style meal we had was just what we were looking for in a light lunch, and I recommend their sparkling wine (90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot) as the pick of a small range. We'll do it again.
Today, however, we tried Malmalling Vineyard in Parkerville (north of the Bickley and Carmel Valleys, but still Perth Hills). http://www.malmallingvineyard.com.au/. Whites are limited to two unwooded Chardonnays (no thanks) and a Verdelho (our lunch wine, but not as good as Myattsfield, and a whopping 15.1% alc/v), while the reds include Cabernet (+ Merlot on occasion), Shiraz, Petit Verdot, and a couple of other blends. It is the first time in a long time I have left a winery without buying anything. Perhaps the wrong varieties in a warm location.
Cheers
Allan
The delightful Sue and I have been up in the Bickley Valley (Perth Hills) this weekend, and there's a couple of wines to report.
The ever-reliable Cosham http://www.coshamwines.com.au/ is changing vintages on a couple of wines, so I was able to pick up their 2005 Chardonnay (the house white here for some time) at 25% off, and a mystery 2002 Cabernet Merlot (unlabelled) at $50 a case - and it's fine - it is the best 8 y.o. red I will see this year at $4.25 a bottle.....
Maxinne at Cosham was also happy to sell me (by prior arrangement) a bottle each of the next vintages (2006 Chardonnay and 2005 Cabernet Merlot) purely for evaluation purposes of course
, and it seems Anthony (Maxinne's son and one of the owners) wasn't sure about selling them to me so young! The Chardonnay is a continuation of the fine drop the 2005 was, and we haven't got around to the CM yet. For wines released at 5 years of age (not specifically by design like Grange, but there is an element of holding the wines back) these are ridiculously good VFM.Next door at Myattsfield, http://www.myattsfield.com.au/ a youngish couple (Josh and Rachel, both qualified winemakers) is making a real go of making their own wines, and for other local growers as well. They're also experimenting with different varieties (but not just for the sake of it), and source grapes from Bickley, Carmel and Chittering Valleys. I (who has yet to find a good straight Merlot anywhere) was pleasantly surprised by their reserve red, which (2005 vintage) is 95% Merlot, with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon stated on the label. The surprise packet is the mysterious 2% Petit Verdot (not on the label) that they have somehow squeezed into what must have been a full tank by then, and this really lifts the wine nicely.
Josh also tells me that they will be releasing the remaining stock of a Touriga Nacionale (their port grape - sorry 'fortified') made as a table wine in July. I'd love to have a look. I was also pleasantly surprised by their Verdelho, a variety I associate with 'sunshine in a glass' in the WA sense - all acid and tropical fruits. This is dryer than the average, and has less obvious pineapple replaced with an intriguing mouthfeel / texture that is almost lees-like. It's not, according to Josh, it's just how the grapes fermented, but this is the more complex style of Verdelho he and Rachel were trying to achieve.
Earlier on Saturday, we lunched at Brookside Winery http://www.brooksidevineyard.com.au/. The website won't actually tell you much, but, dining outdoors, this is one of the most picturesque locations in the Bickley Valley. Lunch is limited in choice, but the platter-style meal we had was just what we were looking for in a light lunch, and I recommend their sparkling wine (90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot) as the pick of a small range. We'll do it again.
Today, however, we tried Malmalling Vineyard in Parkerville (north of the Bickley and Carmel Valleys, but still Perth Hills). http://www.malmallingvineyard.com.au/. Whites are limited to two unwooded Chardonnays (no thanks) and a Verdelho (our lunch wine, but not as good as Myattsfield, and a whopping 15.1% alc/v), while the reds include Cabernet (+ Merlot on occasion), Shiraz, Petit Verdot, and a couple of other blends. It is the first time in a long time I have left a winery without buying anything. Perhaps the wrong varieties in a warm location.
Cheers
Allan
Wine, women and song. Ideally, you can experience all three at once.
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2003 - lovely rustic midweight wine. Mint, cedar, earth, cherries... Almost vaguely pinotesque. True to form for Victorian Shiraz.
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.
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via collins
- Posts: 727
- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:16 pm
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Lowburn Ferry 2006 pinot noir Bright cherry colour, read berry bouquet, and a thick earthy sour cherry taste at commencement. Body a little more imposing with age, fair sort of a finish with an angostura bitter twist at the end. I've never felt entirely convinced by this wine. Barely good.
Burklin Wolf Wachenheimer 2008 riesling Bunches of fruit forward that reduce to a clean, mineral back palate with a hint of spritz. "Too fruity!" cry those at the table who only peck at it, but the wine is dynamic in the glass. Hints of pear after the chill disappears. And it seems to become more focussed as the bottle goes. Crackin' good wine.
Brothers in Arms 2005 shiraz Deep purple colour, good body weight an fruit balance, but loud alcohol, and a little too much acid for me. Not good.
Tahbilk 1927 Vines 1998 marsanne Luminous golden colour, honeysuckle bouquet. Marmalade and toast entry, with a nice sweet/sour balance on the palate, and a lovely freshness throughout. Distinct lemon and lime on back palate as well. Complex. rewarding, and that was the last - boo hoo! Excellent.
Burklin Wolf Wachenheimer 2008 riesling Bunches of fruit forward that reduce to a clean, mineral back palate with a hint of spritz. "Too fruity!" cry those at the table who only peck at it, but the wine is dynamic in the glass. Hints of pear after the chill disappears. And it seems to become more focussed as the bottle goes. Crackin' good wine.
Brothers in Arms 2005 shiraz Deep purple colour, good body weight an fruit balance, but loud alcohol, and a little too much acid for me. Not good.
Tahbilk 1927 Vines 1998 marsanne Luminous golden colour, honeysuckle bouquet. Marmalade and toast entry, with a nice sweet/sour balance on the palate, and a lovely freshness throughout. Distinct lemon and lime on back palate as well. Complex. rewarding, and that was the last - boo hoo! Excellent.
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
One from the cellar and one from the shop.
2006 Crittenden Pinot Noir Nice Pinot fruit on the nose with a hint of cooked red cabage(but in a very good way) and cloves. The palate is nicely balanced with small berries and a hint of spice. Slightly short finish, but nice none the less. VG.
2008 Yalumba The Cigar Got a good write up in the Gourmet traveler mag so thought why not. The nose is typical Conawarra menthol influenced Cabernet. The palate is medium bodied with nice depth of flavour and a lingering finish. VG.
2006 Crittenden Pinot Noir Nice Pinot fruit on the nose with a hint of cooked red cabage(but in a very good way) and cloves. The palate is nicely balanced with small berries and a hint of spice. Slightly short finish, but nice none the less. VG.
2008 Yalumba The Cigar Got a good write up in the Gourmet traveler mag so thought why not. The nose is typical Conawarra menthol influenced Cabernet. The palate is medium bodied with nice depth of flavour and a lingering finish. VG.
never underestimate the predictability of stupidity
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Celebratory dinner at Logan Brown in Wgtn -- Sunday's BYO night, & I took:
2002 Craggy Range Le Sol
2003 Fromm 'Fromm Vineyard' Pinot Noir
2006 Escarpment Kupe Chardonnay
2004 Brightwater Estate 'Gold' Noble Sauvignon Blanc
All wines were on form -- Le Sol surprisingly mellow & approachable relative to where it was at a couple of years ago, & the Escarpment's a very very classy wine.
Cheers
Peter
2002 Craggy Range Le Sol
2003 Fromm 'Fromm Vineyard' Pinot Noir
2006 Escarpment Kupe Chardonnay
2004 Brightwater Estate 'Gold' Noble Sauvignon Blanc
All wines were on form -- Le Sol surprisingly mellow & approachable relative to where it was at a couple of years ago, & the Escarpment's a very very classy wine.
Cheers
Peter
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Chuck wrote:Greetings From Yangshuo Mountain Retreat, China
Very nice. I was in Yangshuo this time last year. Very beautiful area.
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Too many beers, spirits, and Hurricanes!!!
Liver needs to recover prior to any wine...
Monghead.
Liver needs to recover prior to any wine...
Monghead.
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
Well it's Monday now I guess, but I'll throw this in anyway... currently sipping on a Yering Station Shiraz Viognier 2007. One of those wines you can count on to deliver year after year and this one's a cracker. It's got 5% viognier but you wouldn't know it, it's so well integrated. Terrific tangy acidity, plenty of mouth filling flavour, and nice assertive tannins. For $20ish I'm loving it.
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
McWilliams Lovedale semillon 2003 - terrific wine which will age very well over the next 10 years plus, with dollops of acid balanced with lovely lemon and grapefruit flavours, and a tinge of honeysuckle. Focused and long finish.
McWilliams Elizabeth semillon 2004 - also an excellent wine, and drinking perfectly now. A little less of everything in this wine, and no need to cellar it.
What augurs well for both of them is that I drank the last third of each bottle some 4 days after they had been opened. They had been sitting in the fridge. They were none the worse for it, in fact, if anything, the Lovedale was better after 4 days than when it was opened; it had been hiding some of its charms behind its steely, acidic exterior.
McWilliams Elizabeth semillon 2004 - also an excellent wine, and drinking perfectly now. A little less of everything in this wine, and no need to cellar it.
What augurs well for both of them is that I drank the last third of each bottle some 4 days after they had been opened. They had been sitting in the fridge. They were none the worse for it, in fact, if anything, the Lovedale was better after 4 days than when it was opened; it had been hiding some of its charms behind its steely, acidic exterior.
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
dlo wrote:My eldest daughter turns 21 today
David, congratulations.
dlo wrote:Grosset 2002 Polish Hill Riesling - screw cap - I bought a dozen of these at release and have always thought highly of them, although, to date, the few I've tried have been very tight and reticent albeit, always, with enormous potential for some higher degree of greatness. The bottle opened last night did not fit this billing. Nice enough bouquet with some oiliness and attractive toasty character sitting atop pristine lime and mineral-tinged fruit but I found the palate in compartments with hole-in-the-middle syndrome and quite harsh acidity predominating in the finish. It was a notch above the 2002 Lodge Hill but in the end I had trouble getting to a score of 87 points. I need to revisit another bottle to check out if this was an errant bottle, the wine's gone into some sort of terrible transitional phase or, possibly, something worse.
This is a bit of a worry. I had grabbed one out of the cellar to try and since I only have a couple, I am wondering if it is in some sort of riesling hole. Am I better off putting back into the main cellar for a few years?
Mark
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
silkwood wrote:About five years ago I tried these with Andrew Braithwaite, winemaker with CMC. Cheers,
Mark
PS: David, just read your post on Jim Barry 2002 The Lodge Hill Riesling. I found a couple in my collection. Thanks for the heads up, I'll be opening soon.
After CM went bust Andrew did a gig in Italy and on his return went to Serafino and has also done some private work. His La Testa range from late '90s and early 00's that I experienced are wonderful wines and drinking superbly now. He had a private stash I raided on behalf of a number of friends. Bought about 50 cases and surprisingly a real favoutite is the second label but no less great CM '02 cab/merlot. High merlot content. Many have come back for more.
China Chuck
Your worst game of golf is better than your best day at work
Re: Hey Hey, It's Sunday!!
what a difference a couple of days make. decanted and had a glass of Elderton Cab Sav 2004. then poured the wine back into the bottle and screwed the cap back on as i wasnt feeling up to it. 2 nights later and wammo this baby was a completely diferent wine. absolutely singing. recommended for experiment ($30 wine turned into a $60 bottle imo).
($30 wine turned into a $60 bottle imo).