Search found 119 matches

by Bytown Rick
Fri Nov 10, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: So what wines are on the Xmas menu this year?
Replies: 37
Views: 4101

Re: So what wines are on the Xmas menu this year?

Thank you for reminding me to start thinking about this. Of the OZ wines that I will be popping over the holidays and in the weeks beyond, here is what I am thinking about. I will also be looking at some new world/old world wines as well. :mrgreen: • 1999 E&E Black Pepper Sparkling Shiraz (last ...
by Bytown Rick
Tue Nov 07, 2023 2:48 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Grange night (best vintages?)
Replies: 15
Views: 1776

Re: Grange night (best vintages?)

JamieAdelaide wrote: Tue Nov 07, 2023 2:18 am I bought an 82 a few years back for a Grange vertical back to the 71 vintage. COVID killed the event. It is rescheduled for Jan in Hong Kong. The 82 seems to have jumped up a bit on the secondary market and gets some great social media reviews.
Thank you Jamie.
by Bytown Rick
Tue Nov 07, 2023 1:06 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Grange night (best vintages?)
Replies: 15
Views: 1776

Re: Grange night (best vintages?)

Has anyone tried the 1978 or 1982 recently? I assume that they should be drunk soon?
by Bytown Rick
Fri Mar 24, 2023 3:19 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Older Sparkling Shiraz
Replies: 13
Views: 1162

Re: Older Sparkling Shiraz

I go to try the 91 Classic Clare Shiraz last year - it was fantastic. Bubbles had almost gone and it opened up into a complex Shiraz. Very similar to your 96 Rick. If you serve then this old though, I do wonder what the bubbles have done - would a non bubbled wine of the same age be just as complex...
by Bytown Rick
Thu Mar 23, 2023 2:53 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Older Sparkling Shiraz
Replies: 13
Views: 1162

Re: Older Sparkling Shiraz

Thanks for posting Rick. Your note reminds me of the time I passed through Adelaide on the India-Pacific. Got off one train, spend a whirlwind two days in the Barossa Valley, and caught the following train to Perth. At the backpacker hostel which was a large house that had newly opened, the new own...
by Bytown Rick
Wed Mar 01, 2023 6:04 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 6748
Views: 1055217

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

As posted on another board (is that allowed?) where some members have said that their tastes have evolved from an earlier fascination with some of the bigger (Parker influenced) Aussie wines. 1996 Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz. Magnificent wine, that will cure your "tired of Aussie" blues. Th...
by Bytown Rick
Mon Feb 27, 2023 11:03 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 6748
Views: 1055217

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

As posted on another board (is that allowed?) where some members have said that their tastes have evolved from an earlier fascination with some of the bigger (Parker influenced) Aussie wines. 1996 Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz. Magnificent wine, that will cure your "tired of Aussie" blues. Thi...
by Bytown Rick
Sun Jan 22, 2023 1:34 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Older Sparkling Shiraz
Replies: 13
Views: 1162

Re: Older Sparkling Shiraz

Opened the 1996, and served at 50F. Well, this was interesting. No bubbles left, but what remained was a dark, savoury-sweet shiraz that was quite enjoyable. Paired nicely with a selection of charcuterie and cheeses.
by Bytown Rick
Wed Jan 18, 2023 1:19 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Older Sparkling Shiraz
Replies: 13
Views: 1162

Re: Older Sparkling Shiraz

phillisc wrote: Tue Jan 17, 2023 10:28 pm Certainly a blast from the past. Should be great, had many great bottles of 90s E&E black pepper Shiraz, so should be very good
Cheers Craig
Thanks Craig. I'll post a note after tasting it with friends on Friday.
by Bytown Rick
Tue Jan 17, 2023 12:41 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Older Sparkling Shiraz
Replies: 13
Views: 1162

Re: Older Sparkling Shiraz

JamieAdelaide wrote: Tue Jan 17, 2023 12:12 pm Real treasures. Lucky you! I’d prepare and serve them delicately. Slightly chilled to draw out as much complexity. Can’t comment on these wines as per the question but very jealous.
Looking forward to trying one this week. :D
by Bytown Rick
Tue Jan 17, 2023 11:31 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Older Sparkling Shiraz
Replies: 13
Views: 1162

Re: Older Sparkling Shiraz

Alex F wrote: Tue Jan 17, 2023 9:51 am The 1996 was a wonderful wine a couple of years ago. I always serve them fridge cold and let it warm up in the glass is necessary.
Thanks Alex.
by Bytown Rick
Tue Jan 17, 2023 5:15 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Older Sparkling Shiraz
Replies: 13
Views: 1162

Older Sparkling Shiraz

It's been a long time since I last posted here, but I still enjoy browsing. I have some Barossa Valley Estate E & E Black Pepper Sparkling Shiraz from 1996 and 1999 that have been in the cellar since release. But I have never gotten around to trying one. Has anyone had recent experience with eit...
by Bytown Rick
Mon Sep 19, 2022 8:18 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Old Australians From Climate Controlled Storage.
Replies: 230
Views: 20282

Re: Old Australians From Climate Controlled Storage.

Despite some sensory gaps due lingering COVID, I was very impressed with both a Noons Reserve Shiraz & Cabernet from the 2004 vintage. Modern expressions, ahead of their time, richly layered and both infused with minerality and complex tobacco like development. Very enjoyable and I will buy and...
by Bytown Rick
Mon May 02, 2022 3:37 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Best Australian Chardonnays
Replies: 34
Views: 3314

Re: Best Australian Chardonnays

Any fans of the Montalto Pennon Hill Chardonnay from Mornington Peninsula? Not at the same level as many of those cited already, but the 2018 was very enjoyable at a good price.
by Bytown Rick
Tue Feb 09, 2021 4:02 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 6748
Views: 1055217

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

Mike Hawkins wrote:1996 Seppelt Dorrien Cabernet... in some ways a Cabernet for Shiraz drinkers. In a really good spot now, and as others have lamented, it’s a shame it’s no longer made.
One of my favourite wines.

Is the 1996 Seppelt Great Western the Shiraz for Cabernet drinkers? :lol:
by Bytown Rick
Mon Dec 21, 2020 11:44 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Unheralded wineries you love
Replies: 37
Views: 3945

Re: Unheralded wineries you love

Seppelts Probably a few others Cheers Craig I still have a few bottles of the 1996 Dorrien Vineyard Cabernet and the 1996 Great Western Vineyard Shiraz, and have really enjoyed the ones that I have had already. As I understand it, neither has been produced since the late 1990s. Is that correct? Are...
by Bytown Rick
Thu Dec 17, 2020 8:47 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Wendouree Wine Notes
Replies: 305
Views: 64902

Re: Wendouree Wine Notes

The 01 Cab Malbec a few months ago was a different story, fabulous wine. Cheers Craig Ready to drink now Craig, or would it benefit from additional age? I have a single bottle of this particular wine. See above Bytown Rick, think it has another 5 years. I have three left, will drink at 2025/30/35 I...
by Bytown Rick
Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:56 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Wendouree Wine Notes
Replies: 305
Views: 64902

Re: Wendouree Wine Notes

phillisc wrote:The 01 Cab Malbec a few months ago was a different story, fabulous wine.

Cheers Craig
Ready to drink now Craig, or would it benefit from additional age? I have a single bottle of this particular wine.
by Bytown Rick
Thu Dec 10, 2020 1:59 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Shiraz Viognier- the bee's knees or one for the dust bin?
Replies: 37
Views: 3382

Re: Shiraz Viognier- the bee's knees or one for the dust bin?

Michel Chapoutier comes to mind here with his wines from the Pyrenees, Heathcote and Beechworth. His philosophy is to let the terroir speak for itself, so he does exactly what I wish other winemakers would do. I have a bottle of Australian Chapoutier. It was a Shiraz with some braille on the label....
by Bytown Rick
Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:51 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: TN: Plantagenet Shiraz 2009
Replies: 1
Views: 459

Re: TN: Plantagenet Shiraz 2009

Postby Waiters Friend » Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:09 am

My last bottle, unfortunately.
Amazing how often that happens. :shock:
by Bytown Rick
Sun Apr 12, 2020 8:33 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 6748
Views: 1055217

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

Mike Hawkins wrote:being confined to home had meant I’ve opened 4 bottle of this in recent weeks.
Home is where the wine is.
by Bytown Rick
Fri Nov 01, 2019 1:00 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 6748
Views: 1055217

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

A Grey Label! I've never even heard of it. Is it something they recently added to their portfolio? The Grey Label has been a regular listing here in Ontario for years. The current price is $37 CDN, which is a big reason why I haven't tried it. Rick, You're thinking of the Wolf Blass Grey Label, the...
by Bytown Rick
Tue Oct 29, 2019 10:24 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight
Replies: 6748
Views: 1055217

Re: Right, what are we/you drinking now .. tonight

Mahmoud Ali wrote:A Grey Label! I've never even heard of it. Is it something they recently added to their portfolio?
Mahmoud,

The Grey Label has been a regular listing here in Ontario for years. The current price is $37 CDN, which is a big reason why I haven't tried it.

Rick
by Bytown Rick
Sat May 18, 2019 10:30 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: TN: Tahbilk Marsanne 2016
Replies: 2
Views: 929

Re: TN: Tahbilk Marsanne 2016

Mahmoud Ali wrote:perhaps in a James Halliday hard cover book on Australian wines.
Made me smile. :lol:
by Bytown Rick
Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:27 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Your 2018 Wines of the Year
Replies: 23
Views: 4932

Re: Your 2018 Wines of the Year

felixp21 wrote:
2. Best wine, any age 1989 Chateau Haut Brion
:D Should be Best WOTY any year that it is tasted.
by Bytown Rick
Tue Oct 23, 2018 10:18 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: 2018 Penfolds Collection release
Replies: 83
Views: 16137

Re: 2018 Penfolds Collection release

1990s wines were priced to compete, and I suspect most here would have bought them (unless they were too young at the time!). I offer no criticism of that era, though I did discover the house style wasn't one I like to drink too often. That same comment is true of a lot of South Aussie producers of...
by Bytown Rick
Mon Sep 24, 2018 10:40 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Looking for tasting notes on Moss Wood Cab 2015
Replies: 8
Views: 2910

Re: Looking for tasting notes on Moss Wood Cab 2015

Thank you all. I bought 2 bottles of '13 and haven't touched them yet. Wonder if I like the style. What do I expect for '15? I'd expect it's best to leave them alone for at least 10-15 years, as Rocky said (I'd say 15-20). Good wines but to see them at their best, much patience is required. You can...
by Bytown Rick
Tue Sep 04, 2018 5:45 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Unicorn wines of the future..
Replies: 142
Views: 22464

Re: Unicorn wines of the future..

Firstly, I am not sure why the 1996 Penfolds Bin 389 is discussed in this thread. I bought a lot of this wine, and have drunk it many times over the years and although it is excellent, it's structure way too chunky to be regarded as a true great in my opinion. All you have to do to demonstrate this...
by Bytown Rick
Fri Aug 24, 2018 11:16 pm
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Wendouree Drinking Windows
Replies: 6
Views: 2285

Re: Wendouree Drinking Windows

Thank you. I do prefer my reds on the older side. Some would say approaching their "death bed" :lol: .

Rick
by Bytown Rick
Fri Aug 24, 2018 4:07 am
Forum: All About Wine
Topic: Wendouree Drinking Windows
Replies: 6
Views: 2285

Wendouree Drinking Windows

Over the years, I have acquired a few bottles of Wendouree wines, some through visits to Australia (thanks Adair), others from a local cellar. But I have yet to try one. I know that they have the reputation for requiring a lot of age before they show their best, and would appreciate your views on ap...