Recent TV's (a few bargains too)

[Martin Phillipson]

Hi All

Just a few recent thoughts:

Lindemans Reserve Padthaway Shiraz 2004

Always liked the Padthaway range for a good drop at a good price but it appeared that it was replaced by the 'Reserve" range with the dreaded "South Australia" designation (second only to the SE Australia designation). However, while browsing the shelves here in Saskatchewan I noticed the 2004 Lindemans Reserve Shiraz said "Padthaway" so I bought a bottle on spec ($13 here). What a great surprise! Lovely dark purple colour, rich thick mouthfeel and a long finish of cinnamon, spice and ripe ripe fruit. Definitely a case purchase for me to have by the BBQ over the summer..v good value.

Stoneleigh Marlborough Riesling 2004

Another great value wine here. Showing some development with just a hint of kero (not overpowering) but generally a refreshing, lime flavoured Riesling that was simply delicious with some seafood. $15 here and a bargain.

Katnook Founder's Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

I'm a huge Katnook fan so thought I would give this a try for $20. I am also a Coonawarra cab obsessive. Despite the consensus that 2002 was a terrible vintage in Coonawarra this wine has been lauded by Jancis Robinson and others but on the first night at least I was a tad underwhelmed. Colour in the glass is great, and a lovely nose. It certainly smells like a Coonawarra Cab and tasted like one initially but I found it way too acidic on the finish, off-puttingly so. None of that lovely creamy finish that you get from a great Coonawarra Cab. The food took the edge off the acidity but still didn't enjoy it the first night. Sipping the second half now (24 hrs later) and it is much improved. It's a fatter fuller wine with lots of blackcurrant, mint and earth. Might be a decent mid-term cellaring prospect. Good value in Coonawarra cabs.

Cheers

MP

[Craig(NZ)]

Stoneleigh Marlborough Riesling 2004

Another great value wine here. Showing some development with just a hint of kero (not overpowering) but generally a refreshing, lime flavoured Riesling that was simply delicious with some seafood. $15 here and a bargain.

Had this in the weekend too, doesnt have the focus that this label used to in the past, almost a bit 'flabby', quite chunky. Not as good as the great nineties vintages and very commercial but has some good flavours and I agree food friendly and shows a bit of complexity toasty/ beeswax/ kero??

Didnt challenge the Seppelts Drumborg 05 for my best riesling of the weekend

[Martin Phillipson]

Craig

Sadly the Drumborg doesn;t appear to be anywhere in the Northern Hemipshere yet, I have been scouring wine-searcher without success to see if someone who will be travelling here soon (or me to them) can get me some of the 2005 Drumborg.

Still the Stoneleigh was a delicious drop..but not my best Riesling of the weekend either, I forgot to do a TV on the Wolf Blass Gold Label 2002 Riesling which was utterly delicious. Pristine fruit, clean flavours and a long finish..last one sadly but not sure it would have improved that much.

So, if anyone knows of somewhere in Canada or the UK (I'll be visiting there in June) that has some of the Drumborg 2005 can they give me a shout?

Cheers

MP

[Ian S]

Craig

Sadly the Drumborg doesn;t appear to be anywhere in the Northern Hemipshere yet, I have been scouring wine-searcher without success to see if someone who will be travelling here soon (or me to them) can get me some of the 2005 Drumborg.
...
So, if anyone knows of somewhere in Canada or the UK (I'll be visiting there in June) that has some of the Drumborg 2005 can they give me a shout?

Cheers

MP

Martin
Noel Young (occasional poster on this forum) had some Drumborg recently (nywines.co.uk). He's based in Trumpington nr. Cambridge, but does internet ordering and deliveries. He's got a good range and tends to seek out good wines, rather than stocking the same wines from the same producers year in year out. I recall recently thougn that he's given up trying to order from Seppelts as they really aren't interested in UK market, so what he currently has is unlikely to be replaced. If he's around, hopefully he'll post a confirmation or correction to my recollection!
regards
Ian

[Craig(NZ)]

Sadly the Drumborg doesn;t appear to be anywhere in the Northern Hemipshere yet

Doesnt get to NZ either, Adair was nice enough to carry one over for us to try, certainly a good aussie riesling, luckily not the only one

I personally think generally Aussie does dry riesling better than NZ, NZ does the off dry ones better than aussie.