I read an interesting thread on another BB and thought that the topic deserved another run here.
I don't have a very old cellar, but here are my picks for
My Best Wines Year to Date:
Shiraz: 1994 Wynns Michael Shiraz
2nd - 1996 Rockford Basket Press
(I don't have any grange!)
Pinot: 1999 Domaine Serene Evanstadd Reserve - Oregon
(It was easily the best)
Cab Sav: 1993 -707
Very close 2nd - 1996 Katnook Odessey, and I really liked the 98 JR.
Cab Merlot: 1995 Cullen Cab Merl
2nd - 1994 Howard Park
Riesling: 1997 Grosset Polish Hill
2nd - 2003 Polish Hill
Chardonnay: 1997 Penfolds Yattarna
2nd - 1999 Leeuwin Art Series
Champagne: - nil
Merlot: - nil
Cognac: Remi Martin XO and the 1973 Bas Armagnac
What's been your best so far this year? Any standouts?
The best wines YTD
Re: The best wines YTD
Shiraz: Seppelt 1966 Burgundy
Pinot: I would like to say that something fancy, exotic and expensive but in reality it was a 1992 Chittering Estate bought at auction for $2.50. Sensational pinot nose and palate on the cherry stone side rather than strawberry lolly water with VA to give it character like so many I get to taste. Honourable mentions must go to the Fonty's Pool 1998 (which made a 1 er Cru Volnay and a Martinborough somethingorother look pathetic along side it), Dalwhinnie 97 and the McWilliams 1982 as well as Tucks Ridge 98.
Cab Sav: A toss up betweeen 2000 Vasse Felix Heytsbury (young and strong with it's best ahead(made the Grange 1989 taste like weak piss alongside it)) and 1989 Cyril (peaking right now if not beginning the slide) and the Parker 97 Terra Rossa was pretty damn good as well
Cab Merlot: Wynns 1991
Riesling: Can't recall drinking a reisling in 04 and my notes agree
Chardonnay: What is this stuff, I'm an ABC person. Well damn close anyway.
Champagne: Oh, I do like the widow, but the Bolly GA 92 wins.
Merlot: Hainault 1998 is the best Australian Merlot I have had and retains the crown (for me) so far this year. Aging beautifully. BTW TORB picked it as a shiraz on his one and only visit west.
Cognac: Remi Martin XO
Zinfandel: Peel 1999 is a bloody tooth killer of a wine.
Durif: A toss up between the aged and sensational 1987 Morris and the young, bold and sensational Warrabilla 2002 Parola.
Fortified: 1951 Hardy Show Reserve Tawny
Oh, and Gianna, don't be embarrassed by your lack of Grange. The 1996 Rockie BP made the 96 Grange look tres ordinairre when tasted together blind at the Peel shiraz challenge in 2002. No mean feat as the Grange 96 scored pretty well on the day.
Pinot: I would like to say that something fancy, exotic and expensive but in reality it was a 1992 Chittering Estate bought at auction for $2.50. Sensational pinot nose and palate on the cherry stone side rather than strawberry lolly water with VA to give it character like so many I get to taste. Honourable mentions must go to the Fonty's Pool 1998 (which made a 1 er Cru Volnay and a Martinborough somethingorother look pathetic along side it), Dalwhinnie 97 and the McWilliams 1982 as well as Tucks Ridge 98.
Cab Sav: A toss up betweeen 2000 Vasse Felix Heytsbury (young and strong with it's best ahead(made the Grange 1989 taste like weak piss alongside it)) and 1989 Cyril (peaking right now if not beginning the slide) and the Parker 97 Terra Rossa was pretty damn good as well
Cab Merlot: Wynns 1991
Riesling: Can't recall drinking a reisling in 04 and my notes agree
Chardonnay: What is this stuff, I'm an ABC person. Well damn close anyway.
Champagne: Oh, I do like the widow, but the Bolly GA 92 wins.
Merlot: Hainault 1998 is the best Australian Merlot I have had and retains the crown (for me) so far this year. Aging beautifully. BTW TORB picked it as a shiraz on his one and only visit west.
Cognac: Remi Martin XO
Zinfandel: Peel 1999 is a bloody tooth killer of a wine.
Durif: A toss up between the aged and sensational 1987 Morris and the young, bold and sensational Warrabilla 2002 Parola.
Fortified: 1951 Hardy Show Reserve Tawny
Oh, and Gianna, don't be embarrassed by your lack of Grange. The 1996 Rockie BP made the 96 Grange look tres ordinairre when tasted together blind at the Peel shiraz challenge in 2002. No mean feat as the Grange 96 scored pretty well on the day.
Shiraz: 1988 Hill of Grace
Cab Sav: 1990 Bin 707(1st) and 1988 John Riddoch (2nd)
Merlot: 1994 Petaluma
Chardonnay 1999 William Fevre 1er Cru Chablis
Champagne 1996 Gosset and 1996 Pol Roger
Sticky 1992 Nobel one
Pinot 1996 from Yarra Valley can't recall the name
Cab Sav: 1990 Bin 707(1st) and 1988 John Riddoch (2nd)
Merlot: 1994 Petaluma
Chardonnay 1999 William Fevre 1er Cru Chablis
Champagne 1996 Gosset and 1996 Pol Roger
Sticky 1992 Nobel one
Pinot 1996 from Yarra Valley can't recall the name
Cheers
Rob
"The red liquid circulating in my body is actually red wine, not blood."
Rob
"The red liquid circulating in my body is actually red wine, not blood."