The Auswine Forum

Best Whites from the cellar: 2006 Kumeu River Mates Chardonnay Looking better and better after a couple of clumsy years after release I had one of these out of my cellar last night. Agreed, absolutely terrific wine. I don't buy so much wine these days, so the cellar is slowly getting depleted, but ...

Thanks guys.

I'm not imbibing much yet - just the odd glass. But I view it as essential physiotherapy to push my limits in this regard

Craig(NZ) wrote:... keep some balance in your life and remember at the end of the day it is just a drink.

Wash your mouth out, that man.

I was over in Waiheke a couple weekends ago with the family and visited Stonyridge for lunch. I had a glass of the 2010 vintage. Superb wine. Oodles of depth and class; very velvety tannic structure.

Tony Yes 2008 is a top vintage, one of the very best. One for the cellar for at least 12-15 years before drinking. $100 is 'cheap' - it is $85 en prem here and most places over $200 in retail In my opinion best modern vintages are 94,96,99,00,04,05,08,09 and no doubt 10 04,05,08,09 still need subst...

I'm aware that to the few people who may have read my posts, you may have noticed that my attendance on the forum has been lacking. Bottom-line is that I've had a bad stroke. I'm lacking energy. And not drinking wine at the moment. I hope to be back to pour scorn on overblown aussie vino in due cour...

OK, I'm no cycling fan and have only an extremely limited stock of Aussie wine in the cellar, but seemed like a good excuse to pull one out in anticipation of the pending victory for last nights dinner: 1996 Penfolds Bin 407 In very good space, excellent drinking with the Lamb rib roast, (and all t...

A few wines from the past couple of weeks in fact. Lets see... Villa Maria Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - I've commented on this one before - not quite the knockout I previously thought, but still a pretty smart wine for the price. Agree with Craig's previous comment that it proba...

Been lurking, not posting for ages. Figure its time to report recent arrivals; 08 Puriri Hills Reserve 08 Puriri Hills Pope (Shows how long since last post. These back in May ) More recent, 09 Esk Valley Terraces 09 Craggy R Sophia 09 Craggy R Quarry 09 Coleraine 09 Kidnapper Cliffs Cab cheers jafa...

If that's a reference to the appearance of the rather unknown Mt Riley, as mentioned it's because Tim's brother-in-law is the winemaker, so a tip of the hat to them for providing us some wines to taste! I wouldn't call Mt Riley "unknown" - its about as ubiquitous in the supermarkets here ...

Couldn't see a midweek wine thread to stick this in, perhaps just going blind, or having a senior moment. Any road, I cracked open a 2003 Voyager Cab/Merlot - what a beauty. This is super stuff, one of the finest wines I've had in the last couple months - nice brooding depth to it kept fresh by per...

Had one of these a month or so ago, and yes, ditto.
I think I have 3 remaining and will hold for as long as temptation and alternative alcohol availability allows.

Couldn't see a midweek wine thread to stick this in, perhaps just going blind, or having a senior moment. Any road, I cracked open a 2003 Voyager Cab/Merlot - what a beauty. This is super stuff, one of the finest wines I've had in the last couple months - nice brooding depth to it kept fresh by perf...

Hi - it all sounds good, Craig. I'm just negotiating a pink-slip for the day from my better half - will confirm in next day or so. Any date probably ok for me.

Outside of that list you should look to Astrolabe or Jules Taylor. Both should be much better value than the ones you listed. They're good too, esp astrolabe. However, Craggy Range, Dog Point, Highfield Estate and Seresin are all in the same price bracket. If anything the "discovery" seri...

Craig(NZ) wrote:1x 2009 Villa Maria Cellar Selction Merlot Cabernet

I'll be interested to hear your impressions of this Craig - I was very impressed - I thought even better than 07

Sounds great Craig, thanks for your notes. Yeah unfortunately something came up and I couldn't make it... will have to try the Coleraine and Awatea... I get some awatea every year, so I'm sure I'll keep that vertical going. Sounds like I'll need to get some coleraine this year too - funds are kinda ...

Craig(NZ) wrote:

Te Mata Bullnose Syrah 2007 (Craig have you tried this?)

yes, was good but put my money into the 07 awatea/ coleraine. i dont think i have ever bought a bullnose for some reason

I bought 6x 07 bullnose - its a terrific vintage, lovely wine

I'd go Dog Point or Highfield Estate - whenever I've had the latter I've been pretty impressed. CB is overpriced imho (tho it is good)

I say 'one of the better 407s', but in its first 12 years, the only ones that were any good were the inaugural 90, 96, 98. Haven't tasted much since 02, but it's been a pretty ropey label in my experience. The 04 seemed a little better, if I recall. GG I've only had some recent vintages, but as I r...

2005 Te Mata Awatea - drinking very nicely, no hurry at all with this one. Smooth and richly tasty.

Yes, think I'll give this a go. 6 pm on thursday 3rd march, maritime museum, for those interested.

2007 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon. Really good! It has softened up a bit, a lovely open knit ripe and well balanced wine. This weekend I have mostly been drinking... 2009 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon , which after three bottles over a long-weekend...

Cracking line up Craig, thanks for the notes, and congrats on the b'day. Shame that 05 Pope is sooooo expensive... Will have to try and get a few 08's though.

Good the Bad and the Ugly:
Shingle Peak Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2010 - good
d'Arrenberg High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - bad and ugly

tpang wrote:w.r.t. price, Dave will no doubt point to the high price he paid for the fruit, and he is notorious for paying high$$ for his fruit.

Its not even his own fruit?? That makes it even more likely to be a total rip off then I'd have thought.

There's some decent long lists of good wine in this thread. I only have one to comment on - but I was very impressed with a cheaper bottle of aussie wine when over in Sydney recently: Killikanoon Killerman's Run Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - what a cracker! Lovely density, smooth, ripe without being at ...

Wayno wrote:Rockford BP Shiraz 2002- porty, rich... Lacking any resemblance to elegance

Is this going to come to anything you think Wayno? I'm sure I have a btl left.
[Crossed_Fingers] Maybe in another 10 years it might be interesting? [/Crossed_Fingers]

Ok, I made my way up to the Hunter - quite a long trip from Sydney! We only had a relaxing few hours in the area, so I visited just a few vineyards, but we had a nice meal and got a feel for the region, which was very pleasant. Had a nice meal and enjoyed the view at Brimbadgen Estate (thanks for th...

Over the xmas period I had a few whites that are probably among the best of each variety made in NZ. I picked an example each of a chardonnay, a sauvignon blanc and a riesling. I also opened up a young iconic red from the cellar just to have an experimental look-see. Turns out it was (unsurpringly) ...