A couple with friends for dinner last night (struggling to fill the post-masterchef void)
1996 Chateau Maucaillou, Moulis (Bordeaux Blend… not sure the %’s) Cork was scarily perfect. Initial funk on the nose blew away after almost 2 hours in the decanter, revealing red fruits, and tobacco and quite a lot of oak. Still some pleasant grainy tannin evident, and doing a great job of holding all the elements together. Time seems to be catching up with the fruit somewhat, with the aged savoury characters starting to bully. Wish I had a go at this a couple of years ago, still in decent shape but sadly I’ve missed its heady days. Enjoyed it nonetheless.
2007 Kalleske Greenock Shiraz (cork) didn’t really go for this, not sure what the problem was. Big thick body, chocolate, tannins to last for quite some time. But just didn’t interest me like it should have. Maybe the fruit was too ripe, or perhaps I was drinking it way too young. Either way, I’ve had better for a lot cheaper.
Cheers
Michael
Midweek'ers
Re: Midweek'ers
2007 Quinta de Vale Meão vintage port
Dense limpid glass-staining colour. Smells very open with berries and spiced chocolate. Rich fruity palate. Plush and without heat. Tannins are just there but this is a open and approachable port. Very Good. After 12 hours the berries damp down a little but essentially the same.
NV Jamabro Wines Spiraz Sparkling Shiraz
Not convinced by the name. Needs a marketer. Nose of deep berries, tar, earth and liquorice. Great Barossa shiraz character. Follows through on the palate. When the fruit is this good it doesn't need manipulation. Aggressive bubbles and slightly out of balance on the dry side letting this wine down somewhat. Good wine.
cheers
Carl
Dense limpid glass-staining colour. Smells very open with berries and spiced chocolate. Rich fruity palate. Plush and without heat. Tannins are just there but this is a open and approachable port. Very Good. After 12 hours the berries damp down a little but essentially the same.
NV Jamabro Wines Spiraz Sparkling Shiraz
Not convinced by the name. Needs a marketer. Nose of deep berries, tar, earth and liquorice. Great Barossa shiraz character. Follows through on the palate. When the fruit is this good it doesn't need manipulation. Aggressive bubbles and slightly out of balance on the dry side letting this wine down somewhat. Good wine.
cheers
Carl
Bartenders are supposed to have people skills. Or was it people are supposed to have bartending skills?
Re: Midweek'ers
Not so much midweekers as a last week, weekend and this week, but a few brief highlights of our great couple of weeks in NZ (got back yesterday).
Craggy Range Calvert Pinot Noir 2008 - Simply delicious and will develop nicely. Very Very Good.
Amisfield Pinot Noir 2007 - Full of character and interest, so easy to drink. Very Good.
Amisfield Rocky Knoll Pinot Noir 2006 - More an elegant style, double the price, but less impact than the std 07. Memorable though. Good Good.
John Forrest Collection Chardonnay 2004 - Very impressive wine this one, age, balance, fruit weight all just spot on. Very Good.
Rippon Pinot Noir 2008 - I like the Rippon style a lot, this not as good as the 07 but will improve in time. Good Good.
Pol Roger Champagne 1998 - Crayfish lunch on my 40th birthday at Mum's in ChCh - great way to start - lovely fresh, hint of lemon, fine bead. Very Very Good
Tyrells Vat 1 Semillon 1998 - And a continuing nice match to the fish as well to follow - something magical about this wine, memory of it lives on. Extremely Good.
Party dinner time now at Retour restaurant (which was superb BTW).
Lanson Champagne 1996 (Magnum) - This was a wonderful champagne, loved by everyone. Fresh zing and limes up front and nice subtle aged complexity on the finish. Extremely Good.
Howard Park Cab Sav 1992 (Magnum) - Ooohh... YUM. More murmurs of content around me, loving the cork gods. Just hitting it's peak I feel, sorry no real notes but great wine. Out of Control Good.
Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz 2001 (Magnum) - Much weightier than the HP, this was a nice followup. More dense fruit, earth, spice and oak to be had, although less harmony or aged complexity. Very Good.
(most guests weren't wine obsessed like me, so Grange or Dom wasn't in order but I was very happy with the wines I took along and they all loved the magnum format too - I wonder if somehow magnums just taste better??)
Spy Valley 'Envoy' Pinot Gris 2008 - non red drinkers had this ordered from restaurant list - tons of flavour and ripe fruit but a bit sweet for me. Just Good.
Next day tuna lunch, afternoon nibbles, Little India dinner takeout. And lots of great beer by Emersons, Moa and Epic.
Mt Riley Seventeen Valley Chardonnay 2007 - Winemaker bro-in-law made this so we were a bit biased. Nice new label design, fraction too much oak, but otherwise excellent. Good Good.
Lawsons Dry Hills Gewurtztraminer 2008 - (bro-in-law's previous winery) - Always good gewurtz from Lawsons. Good Good.
Peregrine Gewurtztraminer 2008 - Went down well, no real notes though. Good.
Wynns Centenary Shiraz Cabernet 1991 - Cork broke off, possibly not a perfect bottle but a lovely complexity with ripe black fruit, tannins and oak all in balance. Very Good.
Seppelt Great Western Shiraz 1996 - Took a number of hours to come out and strut it's stuff, then it certainly did. What a beauty. Extremely Good.
Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2006 - My first BH, bit of a blockbuster which surprised me a little. Decadent rich nose which matched the dense but clean palate of tar, spice, licquorice and black/blueberry. Long finish, quite addictive wine. Very Good.
Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2008 - And my first Block 3 as well, stunner. More burgundian in style after the dense BH. Cherry, spices and subtle herbs, great balance and a great future. Got some 09 (thanks Mick!) going to have to wait a few years though... Extremely Good.
Louis Michel Chablis 2008 - Lovely wine, I assume no oak used as it was all fruit and structure. Very Good.
Tohu Unoaked Chardonnay 2006 - Served in business class on the way home - surprisingly excellent! I like a bit of oak in my chards, but more and more happy to not see any. Good Good.
Mills Reef Reserve Syrah 2007 - (or was it the Elspeth?) - also on the plane, deep, brooding and still big tannins. Nice given some time, love those Hawkes Bay 07's! Good.
Mt Langi Cliff Edge Shiraz 2006 - Probably found our current quaffer methinks - delicious wine this. Good Good.
Great trip, now back to work, diet and my 40's. Sigh.
Cheers
Tim
Craggy Range Calvert Pinot Noir 2008 - Simply delicious and will develop nicely. Very Very Good.
Amisfield Pinot Noir 2007 - Full of character and interest, so easy to drink. Very Good.
Amisfield Rocky Knoll Pinot Noir 2006 - More an elegant style, double the price, but less impact than the std 07. Memorable though. Good Good.
John Forrest Collection Chardonnay 2004 - Very impressive wine this one, age, balance, fruit weight all just spot on. Very Good.
Rippon Pinot Noir 2008 - I like the Rippon style a lot, this not as good as the 07 but will improve in time. Good Good.
Pol Roger Champagne 1998 - Crayfish lunch on my 40th birthday at Mum's in ChCh - great way to start - lovely fresh, hint of lemon, fine bead. Very Very Good
Tyrells Vat 1 Semillon 1998 - And a continuing nice match to the fish as well to follow - something magical about this wine, memory of it lives on. Extremely Good.
Party dinner time now at Retour restaurant (which was superb BTW).
Lanson Champagne 1996 (Magnum) - This was a wonderful champagne, loved by everyone. Fresh zing and limes up front and nice subtle aged complexity on the finish. Extremely Good.
Howard Park Cab Sav 1992 (Magnum) - Ooohh... YUM. More murmurs of content around me, loving the cork gods. Just hitting it's peak I feel, sorry no real notes but great wine. Out of Control Good.
Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz 2001 (Magnum) - Much weightier than the HP, this was a nice followup. More dense fruit, earth, spice and oak to be had, although less harmony or aged complexity. Very Good.
(most guests weren't wine obsessed like me, so Grange or Dom wasn't in order but I was very happy with the wines I took along and they all loved the magnum format too - I wonder if somehow magnums just taste better??)
Spy Valley 'Envoy' Pinot Gris 2008 - non red drinkers had this ordered from restaurant list - tons of flavour and ripe fruit but a bit sweet for me. Just Good.
Next day tuna lunch, afternoon nibbles, Little India dinner takeout. And lots of great beer by Emersons, Moa and Epic.
Mt Riley Seventeen Valley Chardonnay 2007 - Winemaker bro-in-law made this so we were a bit biased. Nice new label design, fraction too much oak, but otherwise excellent. Good Good.
Lawsons Dry Hills Gewurtztraminer 2008 - (bro-in-law's previous winery) - Always good gewurtz from Lawsons. Good Good.
Peregrine Gewurtztraminer 2008 - Went down well, no real notes though. Good.
Wynns Centenary Shiraz Cabernet 1991 - Cork broke off, possibly not a perfect bottle but a lovely complexity with ripe black fruit, tannins and oak all in balance. Very Good.
Seppelt Great Western Shiraz 1996 - Took a number of hours to come out and strut it's stuff, then it certainly did. What a beauty. Extremely Good.
Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2006 - My first BH, bit of a blockbuster which surprised me a little. Decadent rich nose which matched the dense but clean palate of tar, spice, licquorice and black/blueberry. Long finish, quite addictive wine. Very Good.
Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2008 - And my first Block 3 as well, stunner. More burgundian in style after the dense BH. Cherry, spices and subtle herbs, great balance and a great future. Got some 09 (thanks Mick!) going to have to wait a few years though... Extremely Good.
Louis Michel Chablis 2008 - Lovely wine, I assume no oak used as it was all fruit and structure. Very Good.
Tohu Unoaked Chardonnay 2006 - Served in business class on the way home - surprisingly excellent! I like a bit of oak in my chards, but more and more happy to not see any. Good Good.
Mills Reef Reserve Syrah 2007 - (or was it the Elspeth?) - also on the plane, deep, brooding and still big tannins. Nice given some time, love those Hawkes Bay 07's! Good.
Mt Langi Cliff Edge Shiraz 2006 - Probably found our current quaffer methinks - delicious wine this. Good Good.
Great trip, now back to work, diet and my 40's. Sigh.
Cheers
Tim
Re: Midweek'ers
Heya tim,
Nice to see the birthday celebrations went well, and that you drank very well...
Cheers
monghead
Nice to see the birthday celebrations went well, and that you drank very well...
Cheers
monghead
Re: Midweek'ers
Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2006 - My first BH, bit of a blockbuster which surprised me a little. Decadent rich nose which matched the dense but clean palate of tar, spice, licquorice and black/blueberry. Long finish, quite addictive wine. Very Good.
Tim,
The fact that I have a couple of these proves that even I can still be swayed by cult winery niche marketing!! The rare, the great, the ellusive, the unobtainable, one chance only take it or leave it..... Silly me! Anyway I have to drink the buggars at some stage. Leave them a while in your opinion??
Re: Midweek'ers
Hey Tim,
Glad to hear the Felton Guys looked after you, and your celebrations were an total success. Looks like you drank some serious wines along the way, a couple of which I’ve tried and totally agree with your comments
Really enjoyed the regular 07, and bought a few ahead of the Rocky Knoll, have finished all my bottles now
What a fantastic cellar door too, that fireplace is impossible to leave on a crisp Winter day
I’m also very keen on Rippon Pinot, the 07 was a treat, so plush and velvety, I liked their Jeunesse Riesling a lot too. Speaking of cellar doors, this one would have to be the prettiest eh..
Was this the same one as our Offline…Glad to hear it was as good….How many of these have you got ?
Finally, I note you decided against taking the 91 Grange ……saving for the next offline
?
Cheers
Mick
Glad to hear the Felton Guys looked after you, and your celebrations were an total success. Looks like you drank some serious wines along the way, a couple of which I’ve tried and totally agree with your comments
Amisfield Pinot Noir 2007 - Full of character and interest, so easy to drink. Very Good.
Amisfield Rocky Knoll Pinot Noir 2006 - More an elegant style, double the price, but less impact than the std 07. Memorable though. Good Good
Really enjoyed the regular 07, and bought a few ahead of the Rocky Knoll, have finished all my bottles now
What a fantastic cellar door too, that fireplace is impossible to leave on a crisp Winter day
Rippon Pinot Noir 2008 - I like the Rippon style a lot, this not as good as the 07 but will improve in time. Good Good.
I’m also very keen on Rippon Pinot, the 07 was a treat, so plush and velvety, I liked their Jeunesse Riesling a lot too. Speaking of cellar doors, this one would have to be the prettiest eh..
Lanson Champagne 1996 (Magnum) - This was a wonderful champagne, loved by everyone. Fresh zing and limes up front and nice subtle aged complexity on the finish. Extremely Good.
Was this the same one as our Offline…Glad to hear it was as good….How many of these have you got ?
Finally, I note you decided against taking the 91 Grange ……saving for the next offline
?Cheers
Mick
Re: Midweek'ers
Cheers mong and Mick,
Craig, hard to say on the Bell Hill age factor. I'd say it'll easily go quite a few more years yet though. If I had some (yeah right, good luck Tim), I'd hold for up to another year, then try and find a good excuse to show one off, and then see how long I should stretch out before having the last one. I saw somewhere here that their allocation this year was two bottles per mailing list customer. Phew...that's exclusive. The wine reminded me a little bit of a Cornas Shiraz we had recently, albeit in a more vibrant 'Pinot' style of course. That brooding dark earth/floral/mineral aspect was lovely and probably reflective of their unique patch of Waipara region terroir. Pegasus Bay also in that style, but this was certainly on a higher level. The more I think about it the more I want more!
Yes, Amisfield was a great place to visit, we went straight from the airport to tasting and lunch there and it was excellent, with a friendly and keen cellar door American guy. Queenstown was fantastic as always, didn't do many cellar doors, but hung out a couple of afternoons at Wine Tastes chatting with Matt and tasting my way through their enomatic selection, and buying a few along the way. Too cold to be outside much! While Michelle went shopping, I went tasting!
As for the Lanson, we had the 1990 at the offline, this was the 1996, got a few bottles let, but not magnums, although still have a 1976 magnum to bring along to something sometime! And the Grange..... always hard finding the right moment and all reports said no hurry, it's still developing... hmm, maybe we should organise a Grange night ??
Cheers
Tim
Craig, hard to say on the Bell Hill age factor. I'd say it'll easily go quite a few more years yet though. If I had some (yeah right, good luck Tim), I'd hold for up to another year, then try and find a good excuse to show one off, and then see how long I should stretch out before having the last one. I saw somewhere here that their allocation this year was two bottles per mailing list customer. Phew...that's exclusive. The wine reminded me a little bit of a Cornas Shiraz we had recently, albeit in a more vibrant 'Pinot' style of course. That brooding dark earth/floral/mineral aspect was lovely and probably reflective of their unique patch of Waipara region terroir. Pegasus Bay also in that style, but this was certainly on a higher level. The more I think about it the more I want more!
Yes, Amisfield was a great place to visit, we went straight from the airport to tasting and lunch there and it was excellent, with a friendly and keen cellar door American guy. Queenstown was fantastic as always, didn't do many cellar doors, but hung out a couple of afternoons at Wine Tastes chatting with Matt and tasting my way through their enomatic selection, and buying a few along the way. Too cold to be outside much! While Michelle went shopping, I went tasting!
As for the Lanson, we had the 1990 at the offline, this was the 1996, got a few bottles let, but not magnums, although still have a 1976 magnum to bring along to something sometime! And the Grange..... always hard finding the right moment and all reports said no hurry, it's still developing... hmm, maybe we should organise a Grange night ??
Cheers
Tim
-
Michael McNally
- Posts: 2084
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:06 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Midweek'ers
Last night a 2006 Five Geese McLaren Vale Grenache/Shiraz
Good colour and nose in the savoury earthy spectrum. Solid fruit, but lacking a little fruit sweetness which I look for in the G/S blends. Nice length and overall a Very Good wine, but lacking wow factor. Better tonight. More supple/soft. Acid has settled down a bit.
Opened a 2009 Jim Barry Watervale Riesling tonight. It's good and clean (great nose) but the lime juice acid is a little full on by itself. Was better with food and it is probably better suited to a warm, sunny afternoon than a chilly, rainy night.
Cheers
Michael
Good colour and nose in the savoury earthy spectrum. Solid fruit, but lacking a little fruit sweetness which I look for in the G/S blends. Nice length and overall a Very Good wine, but lacking wow factor. Better tonight. More supple/soft. Acid has settled down a bit.
Opened a 2009 Jim Barry Watervale Riesling tonight. It's good and clean (great nose) but the lime juice acid is a little full on by itself. Was better with food and it is probably better suited to a warm, sunny afternoon than a chilly, rainy night.
Cheers
Michael
Bonum Vinum Laetificat Cor Hominis
-
Michael McNally
- Posts: 2084
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:06 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Midweek'ers
PS. Why the apostrophe in the subject Michael? Just curious.
Bonum Vinum Laetificat Cor Hominis
Re: Midweek'ers
2008 Noon Twelve Bells
Predominately Grenache with Shiraz and others? Juicy with nutmeg and chocolate. Nice and sympathetic oak. Savoury yet silky medium weight wine. Perhaps a little hot on the finish still but just quibbling now. Very Good and a great quaffer.
2006 Mike Press Shiraz
This one was always lean. Previously a little acidic as well. Well the acid has integrated now but still a little green. Toasted oak but judiciously applied. Not a patch on the 2005. OK.
cheers
Carl
Predominately Grenache with Shiraz and others? Juicy with nutmeg and chocolate. Nice and sympathetic oak. Savoury yet silky medium weight wine. Perhaps a little hot on the finish still but just quibbling now. Very Good and a great quaffer.
2006 Mike Press Shiraz
This one was always lean. Previously a little acidic as well. Well the acid has integrated now but still a little green. Toasted oak but judiciously applied. Not a patch on the 2005. OK.
cheers
Carl
Bartenders are supposed to have people skills. Or was it people are supposed to have bartending skills?
Re: Midweek'ers
2007 Mount Horrocks Semillon- Lemon acidity, honey, and toasty nuts. Good.
Re: Midweek'ers
PS. Why the apostrophe in the subject Michael? Just curious.
I wish i knew
.Proabably because literacy has never been my friend. Bizarre or misplaced apostrophes, inappropriate use of i.e. & e.g., incorrect spelling of palate (had to check this again before typing) are but a few of my trademarks. Numbers or bust for me I’m afraid.
Apologies for past and future errors, take comfort you don’t have to share crosswords with me!
Re: Midweek'ers
I was supposed to delve into the cellar for something decent to mark my return to the bottle, but ultimately I knew quantity would overrule quality so I opted for a Angove Organic Chardonnay 2009
A solid, decent chardonnay with good stone and citrus fruit. Nice clean line and acidity; only negative was the slightly clunky oak on the finish. Even so, a decent chardonnay for the money and more importantly, a wine that while not perfect, had a little character.
A solid, decent chardonnay with good stone and citrus fruit. Nice clean line and acidity; only negative was the slightly clunky oak on the finish. Even so, a decent chardonnay for the money and more importantly, a wine that while not perfect, had a little character.
The Dog of Wine
Re: Midweek'ers
Craig, hard to say on the Bell Hill age factor. I'd say it'll easily go quite a few more years yet though. If I had some (yeah right, good luck Tim), I'd hold for up to another year, then try and find a good excuse to show one off, and then see how long I should stretch out before having the last one. I saw somewhere here that their allocation this year was two bottles per mailing list customer. Phew...that's exclusive. The wine reminded me a little bit of a Cornas Shiraz we had recently, albeit in a more vibrant 'Pinot' style of course. That brooding dark earth/floral/mineral aspect was lovely and probably reflective of their unique patch of Waipara region terroir. Pegasus Bay also in that style, but this was certainly on a higher level. The more I think about it the more I want more!
I heard they sacked their distributor when they found they supplied one retail store and are now controlling it all themselves from the winery. They certainly seem to know how to roll the cult model, even more exclusive now than Destiny Bay which at least can be purchased in a few retail outlets on and off these days. According to a famous survey on a "reputable wine website" Bell Hill Pinot Noir is NZ's 2nd most "want to try" wine behind Martinborough Vineyards Marie Zelie
Re: Midweek'ers
2007 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir- Ever dependable, lovely juice. Good Good.
Cheers,
Monghead.
Cheers,
Monghead.
Re: Midweek'ers
monghead wrote:2007 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir- Ever dependable, lovely juice. Good Good.
Cheers,
Monghead.
Off to grab some tomorrow if I can find it... A dependable and affordable pinot
The Dog of Wine
Re: Midweek'ers
Rawshack wrote:monghead wrote:2007 Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir- Ever dependable, lovely juice. Good Good.
Cheers,
Monghead.
Off to grab some tomorrow if I can find it... A dependable and affordable pinot
Should be able to find some...
Many wrote off this vintage due to smoke taint. However, I find that it has only subtly affected the wine, and I still really like it.
pm me if you can't find any. I just got some delivered recently, and I'll let you know from where...
Cheers,
Monghead.
Re: Midweek'ers
...first post in yonkers...
2001 Arakoon Doyen Shiraz
16.5% alcohol
After removing the cork, I was greeted by the smell alcohol. I recall many years ago that someone posted they could smell aviation fuel. At the time I recall hoping that this was just random but I'm off to open my last remaining bottle. Upset at the moment.
ok, 2nd bottle - better but I still can taste alcohol but the smell of alcohol is much less. I've resolved that this is just not my style of wine.
2001 Arakoon Doyen Shiraz
16.5% alcohol
After removing the cork, I was greeted by the smell alcohol. I recall many years ago that someone posted they could smell aviation fuel. At the time I recall hoping that this was just random but I'm off to open my last remaining bottle. Upset at the moment.
ok, 2nd bottle - better but I still can taste alcohol but the smell of alcohol is much less. I've resolved that this is just not my style of wine.