Weekly Drinking Thread commencing 12/05/2013

[dlo]

This idea of this thread is as a repository of information on what wine you've drunk over the last period. For those of you who drink and don't post, it's the ideal place to start doing so. Lists, vibes, tasting notes, brief comments ..... anything is welcome. Why not give it a go and participate on this country's oldest and friendliest wine board?

My week has been reasonably quiet - a half bottle of Wendouree 2004/2005 Muscat of Alexandria proved an interesting experience only because the wine was, to my taste, decidedly ordinary. It holds a developed burnished brassy gold colour, throws up strong floral varietal characters of honey, rose hip, musk, and raisans that combine with caramel, overripe banana, Christmas cake and a spirity volatility to form a most unusual equation. The palate's very sweet with a thick creamy texture, flavours of maple syrup, caramel, musk sticks and superripe honeydew melon. The finish has a spirity twang, some bitterness and also tends to cloy. A strange brew indeed! 68

Last night I opened a 1997 St Hubert's Cabernet that was eerily reminiscent of a very good Bordeaux - about third growth quality - this was probably my last bottle and the label was badly damaged (my wine cellar went under 60cm of water about 10 years ago when willow tree roots blocked a major storm water pipe in an adjacent property). But a great result from pretty much an unheralded vintage.

During the week I had the band around for rehearsals - we cracked two very good reds - both from the 1999 vintage - Lindemans Pyrus and Seppelt Dorrien. The Dorrien has time on its side with the tannins yet to fully resolve with the wine's sweet blackcurrant fruit and cedary oak. The Pyrus is decidedly more developed with an appealing earthy character permeating around rounded mature red and black fruit. Both wine's rated somewhere in the mid to high 80's.

[via collins]

Allan's note son the Melbourne off-line contain the majority of my week's efforts, but since then:

2012 Teusner "Avatar" - such a forboding darkness about this GSM from the Barossa, but it's cut and balanced brilliantly with a full buffet of red and dark fruits.

2008 Blue Poles Reserve merlot - just a shade more focussed than the 07 which was a super wine, this one is really reaching for greatness. Wonderful nose offers a range of fruit, but stewed plums and blueberries are the focus on the palate. Just a hint of spice, nice shades of graphite, and a fair whack of fine tannins wash through at the close. Drinking this, it's really hard to imagine the flabby over-fruited merlots that have polluted the grape's reputation here for so long. Wickedly good stuff.

[dan_smee]

2012 Tyrrells HVD & The Hill Pinot Noir - the label call this a 'declassified' Vat 6 - meaning the fruit just wasn't up to te standard. Actually, a fairly Pinot-y nose, earth and strawberry, not too candied. Palate follows through on that promise, and a more typical Pinot flavour profile than vat 6 usually shows. At 16 a bottle for private bin members, this represents incredible QPR, and a brilliant quaffer for Pinot fans.

[dan_smee]

2009 Mount Pleasant Rosehill Shiraz - cracker. A touch of cool climate-like pepper, violets, red berry fruits and that ol' Hunter earth. Velvety, elegant, a nice whack of raspberry and rhubarb on the palate. Long. Last bottle, will try and find more to lie it down for 15+ because it will live for a fair while.

[dlo]

Tonight with a friend at home - finally a 1984 John Riddoch that wasn't quite up to the mark. Colour still youthful, nose terrific, palate just a little light on for weight, lacking the extra dimensions and intensity the last several bottles delivered, although the wine still drinks very well. About excellent for me - 89 points.

Followed this up with an utterly brilliant bottle of Buller's Rare Tokay - mind-boggling complexity and unbelievable concentration. The aged material in this blend must be way up there. 95

[dlo]

My uncle and partner dropped into Canberra for half a day on their way back to Victoria yesterday. Five of us gathered for a very nice lunch at the Rubicon restaurant at the Griffith shops.

We opened a 2004 Leo Buring Leonay Eden Valley Riesling and 1990 Lindemans St George. The excellent St George mature, poised and elegant (91); the Leo Buring , outstanding with a very long drinking window ahead. (93).

[Duncan Disorderly]

In Sydney for a conference and at the end of the networking event a colleague and I repaired to the bar and once there we each had a glass of the:
1998 Tahbilk Marsanne
Lovely wine, with grapefruit, honey and tea notes but still fresh and crisp.
Tissot Vin Jaune
Dry and nutty like a fino, but with a fuller white wine body. Superb wine and while it was the first time I'd tried a vin jaune hopefully it won't be the last.
2010 Tarrawarra (Luke Mangan) Pinot Noir
Not quite to the standard of the first two, it is nonetheless a good package of
raspberry, forest floor and soft background tannins.

[Phil Wilkins]

Jaboulet Crozes-Hermitage Thalabert 1995
Great balance of fruit here, rich and full-bodied, gorgeously meaty with violet undertones, rosemary/sage, smoke, soft tannins and balanced acidity. Wild, delicious and still in great shape. 13%vol. 90pts

Delas Hermitage Marquise de la Tourette Blanc 2005
This 100% Marsanne bottling, as it has for years, has all the notes of premox. But after 24 hours in the decanter it magically comes back to life, as they always do. There is controlled power and refined grace within a light oily texture carrying the wafts of peat, caramel, honey and quince. Nice mineral core riding the surprising acidity. A flavoursome, well-balanced, interesting wine made in a style I love but others won’t. 13.5%vol. 92pts

[dan_smee]

Jim Barry Watervale Riesling 2013 - My first taste of the 13 rieslings. Much more drinkable than the 12 was at this time of year. Surprised to see it at <store name removed> so soon after vintage. Really tart and tangy, reminiscent of some of the Canberra 2012 rieslings like Nick O'Leary. Not quote the length and persistence of the Nick O'Leary though. Quality quaffer as always though, and good signs for the 13 rieslings.

[Nick]

I think this is the most weekly drinking thread, so I'm running with it! Adopting the monghead rating system.
2002 Zema Cabernet Sauvignon - one of those wines that makes me think that I should keep a sharper track of my spreadsheet. Flat, unattractive, mulchy nose, some semblance of residual blackcurrant on the palate, but again mulchy with a bitter finish. Half a glass, down the sink and a resolution to keep a closer eye on "drink by" dates. Sub Good.
So then opened a 2008 Bannockburn Pinot Noir, which is downright lovely, and restores my faith in the cellar. Enough structure to suggest that it might go interesting places over the next 2-3 years, but perfectly enjoyable now. Very Good.

[TiggerK]

So then opened a 2008 Bannockburn Pinot Noir, which is downright lovely, and restores my faith in the cellar. Enough structure to suggest that it might go interesting places over the next 2-3 years, but perfectly enjoyable now. Very Good.

Totally agree, still not showing at it's best potential, 2-3 more years. Cheers!

[griff]

Farewell dinner with the wine crew over in the UK.

Dom Perignon Oenoteque 1992 (disgorged 2004)
Lemon curd and tight. Opening up later on with some vanilla custard. Excellent/Outstanding

Charles Heidsieck Champagne Charlie 1985 (disgorged 1999?)
Deep yellow gold. Oxidative and brassy. Very Good but had higher hopes.

Trimbach Clos Ste Hune 1995
Yellow gold. Looked knackered but a lovely whiff of minerality on the bouquet. A lovely palate juxtaposing minerals with a yellow fruit salad note. Excellent

Chave Hermitage Blanc 2000
White Gold. Whiff of hazelnuts. Weighty palate that was immature and finished with a little heat I felt. Reminded me slightly of a Jolys wine. No way this was 13% surely? Very Good with potential?

Faiveley Latricieres-Chambertin Grand Cru 1990
Old wine. Forest floor and mushrooms. May have been shaken up too much? Good/Very Good

La Forge Morey-St-Denis 1er Cru 1999
Light young elegant silky palate with cherries dominant. Very Good/Excellent with potential.

Fourrier Clos St Jacques 1er Cru VV 2003
Yum! Deep red and open for business with savoury black forest fruit. Yes it may have notes of a New World Pinot but it had a lot of complexity as well as it evolved in the glass with no single flavour dominating. Excellent/Outstanding

Mouton Rothschild 1978
Green capsicum and some VA. Lean palate of red currant and gravel with some leather and iodine. Very Good/Excellent but compromised for me with the iodine and leather slightly.

Mount Mary Cabernets 2001
Lean palate once again but no capsicum. Hard to pin down like the Fourrier. Excellent wine.

Tignanello 2000
Savoury and brooding and overall rather closed. Didn't grab me like some of the other wines and I think it isn't showing well at the moment.

Rockford Basket Press 1990
Still mid red. Tar and earth and a some stewed prunes underpin the lovely cherry fruit. Long finish. Excellent.

Wolf Blass Black Label Cab/Shiraz 1974
Opening up with bottle stink but cleaned up its act in a quarter hour. Light red with clear rim. A lick of mint on the smooth medium weight palate. Reminds me of Langhorne Ck quite a lot. Excellent and a privilege to drink.

Chateau Yquem 1993
Even in 93 it produces the goods. Light yellow gold. Aromatic bouquet of beeswax and nectar. Like sucking on the base of a flower. Light and racy palate yet it still provides a long finish. Has just about everything I want in a dessert wine. Outstanding.

Horst Sauer Riesling TBA 2001
Dark caramel. Very intense botrytis nose of apricot marmelade. Curry was mentioned and that suited. Long intense palate and lingering finish. Excellent but not quite the poise or complexity of the Yquem. Excellent.

We were spoilt tonight!

cheers

Carl

[monghead]

Farewell dinner with the wine crew over in the UK.

Dom Perignon Oenoteque 1992 (disgorged 2004)
Lemon curd and tight. Opening up later on with some vanilla custard. Excellent/Outstanding

Charles Heidsieck Champagne Charlie 1985 (disgorged 1999?)
Deep yellow gold. Oxidative and brassy. Very Good but had higher hopes.

Trimbach Clos Ste Hune 1995
Yellow gold. Looked knackered but a lovely whiff of minerality on the bouquet. A lovely palate juxtaposing minerals with a yellow fruit salad note. Excellent

Chave Hermitage Blanc 2000
White Gold. Whiff of hazelnuts. Weighty palate that was immature and finished with a little heat I felt. Reminded me slightly of a Jolys wine. No way this was 13% surely? Very Good with potential?

Faiveley Latricieres-Chambertin Grand Cru 1990
Old wine. Forest floor and mushrooms. May have been shaken up too much? Good/Very Good

La Forge Morey-St-Denis 1er Cru 1999
Light young elegant silky palate with cherries dominant. Very Good/Excellent with potential.

Fourrier Clos St Jacques 1er Cru VV 2003
Yum! Deep red and open for business with savoury black forest fruit. Yes it may have notes of a New World Pinot but it had a lot of complexity as well as it evolved in the glass with no single flavour dominating. Excellent/Outstanding

Mouton Rothschild 1978
Green capsicum and some VA. Lean palate of red currant and gravel with some leather and iodine. Very Good/Excellent but compromised for me with the iodine and leather slightly.

Mount Mary Cabernets 2001
Lean palate once again but no capsicum. Hard to pin down like the Fourrier. Excellent wine.

Tignanello 2000
Savoury and brooding and overall rather closed. Didn't grab me like some of the other wines and I think it isn't showing well at the moment.

Rockford Basket Press 1990
Still mid red. Tar and earth and a some stewed prunes underpin the lovely cherry fruit. Long finish. Excellent.

Wolf Blass Black Label Cab/Shiraz 1974
Opening up with bottle stink but cleaned up its act in a quarter hour. Light red with clear rim. A lick of mint on the smooth medium weight palate. Reminds me of Langhorne Ck quite a lot. Excellent and a privilege to drink.

Chateau Yquem 1993
Even in 93 it produces the goods. Light yellow gold. Aromatic bouquet of beeswax and nectar. Like sucking on the base of a flower. Light and racy palate yet it still provides a long finish. Has just about everything I want in a dessert wine. Outstanding.

Horst Sauer Riesling TBA 2001
Dark caramel. Very intense botrytis nose of apricot marmelade. Curry was mentioned and that suited. Long intense palate and lingering finish. Excellent but not quite the poise or complexity of the Yquem. Excellent.

We were spoilt tonight!

cheers

Carl

Nice drinking Carl!

Where are you off to next mate? Back to Perth or Sydney?

Cheers,

Monghead.

[griff]

Back in Sydney

[griff]

2000 Weingut Knoll Loibner Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Vinothekfüllung
Yellow Gold. Spicy pears and honey. But so much more on the second night. Tightens up and exhibits lychee and grass jelly, pandan leaf, nashi pear. No honey now. Like a SE Asian fruit salad served in a wet stone bowl. Dense yet racy palate with a tangy finish. Touch of spritz. Not sure if GV can get better than this. Outstanding. I just wish I could of shared this as it really presses the buttons.

cheers

Carl

p.s. I have worked out I have 90 bottles left that I can't ship with 3 weeks to go. Some hard decisions to be made. However imbibing this wine was certainly correct.

[Mike Hawkins]

Well done Griff, some superb wines there. Ive never tried the 92 DP Oeno (didnt even know one was made!). For mine, the 90 and 91 Basket Press are right at their peak(s). And your post shows that the old Wolf Blass Blacks hold up really well. I had a 73 a few years ago and it was great. Cheers mike

[dan_smee]

2012 Ernest Hill Cyril Semillon 2012 - Quite a surprise packet, Ernest Hill. Quaint little place, off a dirt track before you hit wine country proper in the Hunter - right near Potter's Brewery, before Lovedale Rd hits Wine Country Drive. Went there setting ourselves a 12 bottle limit and found it VERY hard to whittle it down - went for variety over quantity knowing we'd be back to buy up on our favourites. 3 chardonnays, one unoaked, one lightly oaked, one traditional, and an amazing array of dessert wines - a lightly sparkling semillon, a lightly sparkling shiraz, a botrytis semillon, a late picked guwertz and a muscat.

The semillon is a real winner, great QPR at $22 a bottle. Nose of florals and some green capsicum (being the wet 2012 vintage). Palate was juicy and acidic. Really moreish. Big winner.

[monghead]

Back in Sydney

Sounds like another offline brewing...

Carl, regarding your remaining wines, have you considered starting a cellar over there? That way, you could even buy wines from the lower priced European markets, and ship them to your cellar. Then all you need to do is slowly bring them back duty free with each visit, or drink them when you return there for trips, etc.

I have recently returned from the US, and have set up a cellar in NY.

[griff]

Thought long and hard about it. I may have to. But yes an offline would be fun

[griff]

2007 Domaine G. Roumier Chambolle-Musigny
Burgundy, tick. Fruity, tick. Sappy, tick. Even silky, tick. Very Good wine. A quick search on wine searcher pro, WTF! Drinking this was not the correct decision.

cheers

Carl

[griff]

2006 Pintia Toro
Crushed rocks and tannin. What a brooding wine. Some lavender on the nose comes as a surprise. Yes it is meaty and yes has fruit lurking but really this is a Phil Spector wall of tannin. Excellent. Drinking this with (with a bowl of chilli) was the correct decision.

cheers

Carl

p.s. Day 2: violets and ink now riding the wave of tannin. Smokey bacon. Herbs.

[Craig(NZ)]

My brief was a set of dinner wines at $30 a bottle average. I think I did pretty well

2012 Fromm Spatlese. Overall my favourite NZ Riesling and this was really impressive. So morish

2009 Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay. Seems some bottle variation with this but this bottle was top notch. Nice! Lovely focus with its grapefruit, lemony fruit and spicy fine oak. Some bottles of this I have had have been a bit blah, but this one was really good

2011 Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir. Lighter bodied than the 2010 version but still really nice varietal Pinot, red fruits

2011 Peregrine Pinot. More modern in style with darker fruits and silky texture. Really opened in the glass

2009 Kidnapper Cliffs Ariki (Merlot Blend) Beautiful modern merlot with lashings of rich fruit, elegance and class. Impressive, drinking nicely - I think an early drinking wine, the attraction is its youthful fruit and texture

2009 Church Road Cuve Cabernet Sauvignon. Great coulour opaque inky black purple. Very young with noticable tannin. Fantastic ripeness. This is a rare and good example of a NZ 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Great value at $21 on sale!

[Duncan Disorderly]

My brief was a set of dinner wines at $30 a bottle average. I think I did pretty well

2012 Fromm Spatlese. Overall my favourite NZ Riesling and this was really impressive. So morish

2009 Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay. Seems some bottle variation with this but this bottle was top notch. Nice! Lovely focus with its grapefruit, lemony fruit and spicy fine oak. Some bottles of this I have had have been a bit blah, but this one was really good

2011 Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir. Lighter bodied than the 2010 version but still really nice varietal Pinot, red fruits

2011 Peregrine Pinot. More modern in style with darker fruits and silky texture. Really opened in the glass

2009 Kidnapper Cliffs Ariki (Merlot Blend) Beautiful modern merlot with lashings of rich fruit, elegance and class. Impressive, drinking nicely - I think an early drinking wine, the attraction is its youthful fruit and texture

2009 Church Road Cuve Cabernet Sauvignon. Great coulour opaque inky black purple. Very young with noticable tannin. Fantastic ripeness. This is a rare and good example of a NZ 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Great value at $21 on sale!

I was reading this drinking the 2009 Peregrine which is a superb drop, although sadly I only have one left.

[Duncan Disorderly]

Last night I had a 1998 Metala Shiraz (Black Label) and it was divine. Still quite primary it was all stewed plums and black cherry, with plenty of length.

Now drinking a 2002 Penfolds Bin 138 GSM which has taken almost a half of football to come around, but is now rather superb. It's a little spirity but there is also lovely cherry and currant flavours.

[dan_smee]

Tonight:

2007 Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon - Very sprtizy, probably further developed than I'd have hoped as well. Had many better bottles that this one.

1994 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec - Full of cassis on the nose, some eucalypt and menthol, black fruited palate, with a really strong tannin/acid component.

1998 Wynn's John Riddoch - Ridiculous. Quite a savoury herby palate, some cassis again, tomato leaf, but mostly dark plums. Plums again on the palate. Such intensity, density, length, layering, texture - top wine.

[damonpeyo]

2008 Grosset Gaia - wanted to taste young Gaia out of curiosity, only tasted older ones like '02 which was fantastic, very floral, strong berry-blackcurrent like bouquet notes, bit overpowering for my liking, that the aromas could be felt around the room. Decanted for 3 hours, too young for my liking. Yet the palate was approachable, just the bouquet notes overtook it. Won't open others for least 5-8 years.

[damonpeyo]

2008 Mount Langi Ghiran Moyston Hills Vineyards - easy drinking, cool climate shiraz, actually prefer this over '08 Gaia in current drinkable comparison. I liked this with French and Italian cheeses.