The Auswine Forum

Some lovely wines over the last month. A self-inforced slow down on consumption has changed my attitude from quantity to quality. ( and yes I know that there is nothing wrong with a large quantity of quality too........

Wynns 1991 Centenary Cab Shiraz - Magnum
A fabulous bottle. Decanted for 2 hours and drank over another two with grilled lamb cutlets, char grilled tiger prawns and later some 5 yr old aged Italian parmessan cheese (pieces not grated)
Beautiful Cabernet nose of leather, cedar and chocolate. Luscious feel, tannins had softened and the small berry shiraz fruit really came to the fore in the palate.
A long aftertaste and thoroughly enjoyed by all. I cannot understand why more cab/shiraz isn't produced at this quality level. Hope my 96' 389 develops like this in another 5 years. WOTN - 94 pts

1994 Henschke Mt Edelstone
Next bottle on the same day. Much has been written about this wine and I will add that I have yet to have a bad one and find this an excellent expression of Eden Valley Shiraz. Plums, blackcurrants, licorice and a hint of vanillan oak. Classic stuff and bought at a recent auction to stock up reserves at $45 pb 91 pts

1994 Howard Park CM
Again, I have written several times about this wine and I think it is one of the best cabernets we make in Australia at the price point. Still masses of oak, wood carvings and leather on the nose. Dusty tannins, pristine fruit and years ahead of it. I believe it is destined to be a classic wine. 92pts

2000 De Bertoli Noble One
A bit too "sickly" sweet for my liking. Over the top with orange peel and honey flavours and lacking in acidity to just take the edge off. Nevertheless, went particularly well with a custard pie at the end of a long, long, long lunch. 88 pts

1986 Wynns John Riddoch
Well, all I can say is that this is what drinking wine is all about.
True class that blew everything else away that I have tried this year. Complex earthy nose, silky texture across the tongue and a great mouth feel, smmooooothhh...
Layers and layers of flavours ranging from light strawberries to dark black plums. It kept evolving in the glass for hours. A joy to share with family over a lovely mother's day lunch. My WOTY 96 pts

1990 Wynns John Riddoch
Repeat of everything that I just wrote above, except that this wine has still not evolved to the same complexity as the 1986. At least another 3-5 years of improvement based on this bottle. ( my first of a 6 pack ) Will try another soon to verify how long to leave before the case is devoured. Seriously good. 93 pts

1996 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz
Decanted for nearly 3 hours. Smooth silky barossan shiraz. Heaps of pepper, spice, licorice and mint on the nose, but the palate was completely different. Full primary fruit flavours of cassis and blueberries with chocolate and sweet oak. Drunk after the 1990 JR and this bottle held it's own. Good stuff, drink up as I think this is in the peak drinking window. 90pts

1997 Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz
Very typical of the brand. Lashings of vanillan oak, white chocolate and plums. This vintage lacks the finesse of the 1993 and 1998 that I had recently. A good quaffer for a semi-special occassion. 89pts

Paul Bouzy - Grand Cru Rose' NV
Lacking complexity and short on aftertaste. But basically a good aperitif for the day. Dry, but at the same time a little confectionary. But maybe I am being a bit harsh as I would still buy it again, just not at $71 more like $40 - $50 pb. 86 pts

Moet and Chandon NV
This is great value champagne for $50 ish.
A pale yellow / honey color with small beads that lasted for over an hour. Yeast and toast on the nose and complex flavours of nuts and creamy oak. I really did like this for the price. 91pts

Some nice wines and notes there Gianna. How long do you believe the 86 JR and the 91 Centenary have left (at their peaks) ? I'm coming back to Oz later in the year for a visit and need to raid the cellar.

TIA

Mike

Nice notes- thanks.

The John Riddochs you had are both as good as we can produce. The 1990 is, IMO, the best of the lot, 1982 included. But it needs another 10 years to get to its plateau.

The Wynns centenary is another beaut, again in need of at least another decade.

Personally, I'd give the Howard Park another ten too...

And the yanks crap on that Aussie wines don't age!!!!!!

Pretty much agree about everything Gianna and nice notes. I maintain the 86 JR to be one of the greatest ever wines made in this country. And I do prefer it to 82 and 90 JR.

Some nice wines and notes there Gianna. How long do you believe the 86 JR and the 91 Centenary have left (at their peaks) ? I'm coming back to Oz later in the year for a visit and need to raid the cellar.

TIA

Mike

Mike,

My thoughts are that both of these wines are nearing their peaks, however, their optimum drinking windows should last at least another 5 years. Not sure about 10 years.
Possibly the 91 Centenary will continue to evolve, but I had a magnum not a bottle. I only have one left and will keep it for a special occassion over the next year or two.

Nice notes- thanks.

The John Riddochs you had are both as good as we can produce. The 1990 is, IMO, the best of the lot, 1982 included. But it needs another 10 years to get to its plateau.

AJ,

I'm with BCP on the 86. Although the 90 was terrific (but younger of-course) the 86 was a clear standout bottle for me. Fortunately quite a few of both left so I guess I'll do another taste off again soon to ponder the question. Decisions, decisions.......