The Christmas Feast

[Gianna]

Melbourne provided the perfect weather for a family gathering this Christmas. - Around mid 20's with a cool breeze, just lovely for sitting under the shade of a large tree in the backyard to knock off these beauties.

'93 Stonewell Shiraz - A beautifully balanced, fine wine. Plenty of fruit with a long aftertaste. Oak had fully integrated and the nose was vanilla and black cherries - A Good wine.
(FYI , this wine was found sitting in one of my cupboards recently, where the temparature varies considerably, so it was not cellared correctly. An interesting discussion could be had about the obsessiveness of perfect storage conditions....?)

' 94 Greenock Creek Shiraz - I believe this wine will still improve for another few years. Massive nose, dark plums, minty-cherries, - it was big. The taste was long, classic barossa, elegant dark berry flavours, a powerful meaty shiraz. A complex wine that displayed layers of dark fruits/leathery/charry flavours. The oak had integrated well, decanted for 2 hours and it improved further in the glass.

'94 Howard Park Cab/Merl. - I am still to decide which of the these three wines I prefered the best, but the HP nearly gets the nod. A fantastic margaret river cabernet. Will easily hold for another 3-5 years, but is drinking superbly now. Tightly structured, a wine with finese. Very earthy, plummy, smokey cedar/oak flavours that grip the palate sharply. I really didn't want this wine to finish as it was my last 94. I am looking forward in trying the 96 that JO rates equally.

'97 Stonewell Shiraz - Not like the finesse of the '93, but nevertheless a good wine. Oak was still overpowering, but there was plenty of typical Stonewell fruit to make this an enjoyable bottle.

A few Heinekins and a Frangelico with lime later, and that saw me out for the day......

FWIW - too often during Christmas, we visit two or more people on the day, which makes it stressful and tireing. All of yesterday was spent at one location with everyone staying until stumps. A far better way to enjoy the day IMO.

So what did everyone drink on the day ??

[Baby Chickpea]

'94 Howard Park Cab/Merl. - I am still to decide which of the these three wines I prefered the best, but the HP nearly gets the nod. A fantastic margaret river cabernet. Will easily hold for another 3-5 years, but is drinking superbly now. Tightly structured, a wine with finese. Very earthy, plummy, smokey cedar/oak flavours that grip the palate sharply. I really didn't want this wine to finish as it was my last 94. I am looking forward in trying the 96 that JO rates equally.

So what did everyone drink on the day ??

I also had this ready for Xmas day and broke the damn bottle. It'll teach me to carry 3 bottles in a plastic bag!! No time to pull another one out. Thanks for the TN.

I had an 83 Moet (excellent as always), 83 Leflaive Batard-Montrachet (Excellent) and 01 Pio Cesare Moscato d'Asti (yes, excellent). Full TNs to follow when I get the energy!

[didgidee]

i had a delightful 2002 Dromana Valley Wines Pinot. 14.3% with plenty of extract and length. it was not lacking in flavour, great fruit and lovely deep violet tones. wish i'd bought another bottle. 93/100

then [with the turkey and roast chook with sage stuffing] a 2002 Lindemanns Cab Sav Reserve. for $14 a damn well made wine. fruit felt a bit shy early on, but 40 minutes later it hollered blackberries and earthy dusty oak. no complaints, not bad at all. 86/100

[Gianna]

'94 Balmoral Shiraz -

Overall this wine was disappointing. On one hand it is a wine with excellent structure and finesse that had a beautiful youthful crimson red color. But the nose just would not open up even after 10 hours. There was definite dark plums, leather and fruit/cherries there, but whether or not it was just bottle stink that needs more time to blow off, there were too many undertones of "yucky" vegetables. (technically speaking....) - the nose just disappointed so much it made it difficult to enjoy this wine.
However, the palate was tight and exceedingly long, even hints of mint and eaculyptus. It was smooth, but lacked true complexity, a bit one dimmensional, but nevertheless, long lasting and not totally unenjoyable.
I am still scratching my head trying to describe this wine, but I won't buy it again. 87/100

I have tried a few of the 94 previously and have never been truly impressed, so I don't think it is bottle variation.

I have a case of the 98 which most experts/critics rank quite highly, so I would be interested if anybody has had the same experience with the 94 and any tasting notes on the 98.

[TORB]

'94 Balmoral Shiraz -

There was definite dark plums, leather and fruit/cherries there, but whether or not it was just bottle stink that needs more time to blow off, there were too many undertones of "yucky" vegetables. (technically speaking....) - the nose just disappointed so much it made it difficult to enjoy this wine.
However, the palate was tight and exceedingly long, even hints of mint and eaculyptus. It was smooth, but lacked true complexity, a bit one dimmensional, but nevertheless, long lasting and not totally unenjoyable.
I am still scratching my head trying to describe this wine, but I won't buy it again. 87/100.

Gianna,

Could this have gone "reductive" - that is something I have seen in a few of the top end Rosemount wines around that time frame.

[707]

Gianna, thanks for the notes. I'm glad you enjoyed the 94 Greenock Creek, great present eh?

Better make sure you're good so you get similar next Xmas!