The Auswine Forum

Kim,

I'll let you know next week if I can organise an offline in Melbourne for Friday, 3 April, 2009, if that suits?

I have a great little BYO place in mind, but it was for sale the last time I went past it. If that doesn't transpire, I'll look for something else.

PJ.

Rawshack,

I, too, am in Melbourne, but in the outer suburbs, although I work in the CBD.

Let's get something going in the first month or so of 2009 if you're keen. I consider BYO to be mandatory. There's a lot of the Melbourne folk around, but not enough offlines.

PJ.

This post has probably gone much further than MA ever imagined it would, but perhaps I could offer a summary. As Someone once said: "let him who is without sin cast the first stone". Interestingly, all the accusers walked away without having thrown a stone; and even the One without sin did...

Easy up, Davo. I just had to jump in on this one. All MA is guily of is seeing a perfectly legal way to take advantage of another person's mistake. I've been guily of doing it myself once or twice. Let's say the worse happened and he got caught doing what he did. The shopkeeper would call it a flagr...

I attended this tasting over the weekend and must confess to not being a great fan of pinot. Principally, I don't understand the subtleties which others seek to associate with this variety, or perhaps I just haven't drunk enough fine burgundy. Therefore, with that caveat in mind, these are my though...

Thanks for the TNs, John. Nice, as usual. In particular, I agree with you on the 1998 St. Peters. You've hit the nail on the head with your assessment of it's impeccable balance. IMO, that's the principal feature of a good wine. When I had this wine about a year ago, I felt it had the backbone to go...

I 'preciate the correction regarding O'Shea, Gary. I was rather hoping you'd make an effort and take a trip down to genteel ol' Melbourne, not to mention coughing up some cash to purchase an O'Shea to contribute to the conviviality of the evening. Consider that the quality of the company alone would...

Ryan, That's a very kind open-ended invitation. I'll join Terrence in his expression of enthusiasm. Furthermore, I'd like Gary to bring an older Hunter red from the 1960s made by Maurice O'Shea. That should really cap things off. I'll even bring something to surprise, depending on the nature of the ...

221.

PJ.

Basedows Reserve Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon 1990 – I don't know what happened to the Basedow winery (although I recall it as a winery of some repute all those years ago) but if this wine proffers any indication of the winery's general quality it should be a roaring success by now. However, t...

G'day, Andrew. Good to hear from you. I am definitely up for a September offline, Andrew, and I'm happy to consider any theme we choose. I don't mind that theme we chose tentatively last time we all met, because I don’t often get to try a lot of durif, and I have some I'd particularly like to...

This was a wonderful evening. In all frankness, I thought the service was average, the food a little better, the wines great and the company the best. Thank you all for a wonderful evening. I'm only sorry I had to leave a little earlier than I wanted. Nice notes, Mark. Thanks for taking the time to ...

I can confirm that I and a friend are ready to go: I'm bringing a 1991 Eileen Hardy Shiraz, and he's bringing something no so old which he refuses to reveal to me.

PJ.

Here is a consolidated list of 'who's bringing what'. If I have stuffed it up, you need to change or you haven't added yours to the list yet, please let me know and I'll keep it up to date. Preseter John - 1992 Eilieen Hardy Shiraz Just a small amendment. The Eileen Hardy is in fact a 1991, so that...

Ladies and Gentlemen, I hate to bring this up again, but I must. I would rather restrict this evening to 1 bottle of wine each and have 2 offlines in the next few months, than have one offline and bring a surfeit of bottles on the one night. Personally, I have never understood bringing 2 (or more) b...

Michaelw, I assume that the $50 applies to the price you paid at the time of purchase. I have too much wine which was well under $50 when purchased, but now would be over that limit. In particular, and to get a list of bottles started, I am thinking of bringing a 1992 Eileen Hardy shiraz. However, i...

All, I've been to a few wine nights, and I have found that bringing 2 bottles is overkill. I would recommend bringing 1 bottle each, but make it a decent and memorable one. We can settle upon who will be bringing what variety, etc as we get closer to the time. I'm quite happy with the theme suggeste...

I'm in for 2 people: me and a wine-loving friend, although this might extend to 3 people. I'll confirm a little later. I'd really love a fortified wine theme, but I recognise that this wouldn't be quite appropriate. Therefore, I'm quite happy with your theme, but I'd like to suggest another theme of...

How about Abla on either Friday 13th or 27th July? I'd prefer 13th July, but I could also achieve 27th July as an alternative. I also like the Abla suggestion because I've read some good reports, and I like the notion of no corkage. Would you suggest a theme for the evening is appropriate, or will ...

I'll be back in town soon, early July. Gavin, I'd be quite content with July (or in fact any time) but like Wine Girl the only possibility for me is in or close to Melbourne CBD, unless it's a weekend. Your prior recent visit to Melbourne led to an offline in the hills somewhere as I recall, which ...

John #11,

Thanks for the vibe. In an oblique way, this says much also about the standard of the 2005 John Riddoch and Michael. I've been looking forward to the 2004 vintage for those 2 wines, but it seems that I'll have to extend myself and purchase 2005 also.

Thanks again.

PJ.

I might seriously consider putting on an offline at my home, being a qualified chef with plenty of time on my hands i think i could put on a pretty swisho menu for 75 bux a head. And if done on a weekend when we have no kids we could easily accomodate 4 couples for the night. How does that sound? F...

Thank you very much for the notes, Danny. I can only echo what previous writers have stated. A truly exceptional and remarkable tasting and exceptional notes. The Michael would have made this a historic event and a great act of generosity by Mark. You and the others are most privileged. A tasting of...

My commentary / vibe from 2 months or so ago: 2005 Mildara Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra - Classic White Label) - Being a little concerned about the wine's balance, I opened a wine of definite balance next to it, the 2004 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec. The 2005 Mildara Cabernet Sauvignon is a great wine...

Thank you all for your responses. While the jury may not have applied a verdict with any unanimity, all things considered I am inclined to store my Madeira vertically and recork if and when required. Somehow, I'm have a feeling it will not last sufficiently long to necessitate recorking. Applying th...

I have been contemplating purchasing some older Madeira (Boal) recently and have been advised by the importer that Madeira should be stored standing up due to the high level of acidity of the wine. It seems that if the bottle were to be stored on its side like a standard bottle of wine with a cork s...

Mahmoud, I fully agree with your comments on the 1977 vintage ports. It was a magnificent year for port. I'd even go out on a limb and submit that some will go another decade.

On another note, you sure do drink a lot for a Muslim.

Best,

PJ.

On a NWR matter, mccoleman, I have noticed that your sign-off features a quote which is attributed to Stephen Covey. While I admire some of the work of Covey (and his 7 points for better living), there is just a small point of order I'd like to draw to your attention: this quote is attributable not ...

Thanks for the review, Attila. I, too, am a big fan of Bond. I have to confess a little disappointment when Bond ordered Bollinger Grande Annee, yet didn't specify the vintage. This shows a lack of finesse both in the character and in the script. Previous Bonds would have shown a little more class a...

Julio, although I am unable to assist you with any TNs, I agree with your implication this will be a wonderful wine as it develops in years to come, but I am of the opinion that the 2004 vintage will be the one to look out for, at least for my own cellar.

Best,

PJ.