Hi Good Peoples,
Its Sunday and time for your weekly reports. This week has very a "vin ordinare" week for me, nothing special for most of it. A classic case of work is the curse of the drinking class. In a determined effort to do something about that, yesterday I pulled out about 18 bottles that were reasonably impressive when I first tried and will see how they are going after a few years. The first was a Tatachilla 1998 1901 Cabernet Sauvignon.
I purchased this wine in 2001 after trying it at CD. I also have a 1999 lined up to compare it with in the next few days. The nose smells clean and fresh and whilst it is not yielding much in the way of definitive aromas, there is an unusual perfumed spice, cassis, red berry fruit, milk chocolate and spearmint.
Powdery tannins are abundant but starting to integrate. There is a lot of intense, deeply seated fruit that provides a mass of mouth filling flavour that finishes long. It is not your typical varietal Cabernet despite its 35% Padthaway fruit but it does have some varietal characteristics and is certainly a very nice red. A good combination of sweet black berry and savoury red berry flavours together with milk chocolate and tar. Rated as Excellent (just) it should still improve over the next few years. If you have any in the cellar, leave them there for another few years.
Now what have you guys been drinking?
Get of of bed and get your reports in you lazy people....
Balnaves Cabernet Merlot 1998
Drinking gorgeously. The wine has "settled" and was perfect for a cool winters' night. Eveything is in balance - a fragrance of rich berries and a smooth finish.
Delicious and very much worth the $24 I paid for it. With only 1 bottle left, I wish I had purchased more.
Delicious and very much worth the $24 I paid for it. With only 1 bottle left, I wish I had purchased more.
My highlight of the week was attending the launch of the Saltram Eight Maker Shiraz 2000 release. We had some great old wines.
We started with the 98 Mamre Brook Cabernet. Jeez I wish I had dozens of this in the cellar. More savoury than l remember. Complex, harmonious, good length, heaps of brambly fruit and tannin. Will live for another 10-15 years.
We then moved onto some amazing wines. As is the case with very old wines, there is enormous bottle variation. The bottle we had of the 1959 Saltram Barossa Shiraz (with the fruit from memory coming from around Anguston) was close to the best old red I have ever had. If you didn't know the age, you would pick it for a late 70's/early 80's wine. Great colour for a 45 year old wine, and according to Nigel Dolan this wine has held like this for the last 10 years.
We then had a 1963 Saltram Shiraz (with 30% Muscadelle??). This was also very good, but for me it didn't match the heights of the 59.
Just shows you, todays winemakers have been playing around with 5% Viognier, back then the white component was as high as 30%. Apparently Len Evans had a hand in this wine, and it has always been one of his favorites.
We finished with the 2000 Saltram Eighth Maker Shiraz 2000 (very good ) and a 40 year old tawny port.
Cheers
Anthony
We started with the 98 Mamre Brook Cabernet. Jeez I wish I had dozens of this in the cellar. More savoury than l remember. Complex, harmonious, good length, heaps of brambly fruit and tannin. Will live for another 10-15 years.
We then moved onto some amazing wines. As is the case with very old wines, there is enormous bottle variation. The bottle we had of the 1959 Saltram Barossa Shiraz (with the fruit from memory coming from around Anguston) was close to the best old red I have ever had. If you didn't know the age, you would pick it for a late 70's/early 80's wine. Great colour for a 45 year old wine, and according to Nigel Dolan this wine has held like this for the last 10 years.
We then had a 1963 Saltram Shiraz (with 30% Muscadelle??). This was also very good, but for me it didn't match the heights of the 59.
Just shows you, todays winemakers have been playing around with 5% Viognier, back then the white component was as high as 30%. Apparently Len Evans had a hand in this wine, and it has always been one of his favorites.
We finished with the 2000 Saltram Eighth Maker Shiraz 2000 (very good ) and a 40 year old tawny port.
Cheers
Anthony
Good wine ruins the purse; bad wine ruins the stomach
Spanish saying
Spanish saying
Had some unexpected guests arrive during what was supposed to be a quiet afternoon.The Seppelts was left over from the night before.
Seppelts Victorian Shiraz 2002 Yumm - for around $14 this wine is sensational.Cherry plum fruit, spicy pepper and and decent soft finish. Everyone enjoyed this prompting me to open the Rockfords. 89pts and excellent value.
Rockford Moppa Springs 1999 GSM Another delicious wine.Doesn't fall into the lolly water trap..ripe sweet fruit, some spicy oak and beginning to develop some bottle complexities..still has a few years in the tank. 90 pts and Good value at $21
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2001 Another notch above the previous wine..i served this blind to my guests..one of whom is a winemaker who works for Isabel Estate in Marlborough who remarked "Shit thats good wine..what is it?". Much better than the 2000 in my opinion..a beautiful elegant shiraz in the Rockford mould.The bottle disappeared to quickly. 93pts and good value at $44
Rockford SVS Hoffman Shiraz 1996 Different to the BP..the fruit intensity is high..the wine really to young and bold but quite delicious none the less. I still prefer the regular BP blend to the SVS releases i have tried but they were still worth the $60 asking price.I've seen them go for $180 a bottle at Langtons and at that price i'd be scratching my head. 92 pts and fair value at CD price.
Interestingly everyone prefered the 2001 BP to the SVS and we all thought the Seppelts drank above its price. Anyone else have thoughts on these wines?
Cheers
Paul
Seppelts Victorian Shiraz 2002 Yumm - for around $14 this wine is sensational.Cherry plum fruit, spicy pepper and and decent soft finish. Everyone enjoyed this prompting me to open the Rockfords. 89pts and excellent value.
Rockford Moppa Springs 1999 GSM Another delicious wine.Doesn't fall into the lolly water trap..ripe sweet fruit, some spicy oak and beginning to develop some bottle complexities..still has a few years in the tank. 90 pts and Good value at $21
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2001 Another notch above the previous wine..i served this blind to my guests..one of whom is a winemaker who works for Isabel Estate in Marlborough who remarked "Shit thats good wine..what is it?". Much better than the 2000 in my opinion..a beautiful elegant shiraz in the Rockford mould.The bottle disappeared to quickly. 93pts and good value at $44
Rockford SVS Hoffman Shiraz 1996 Different to the BP..the fruit intensity is high..the wine really to young and bold but quite delicious none the less. I still prefer the regular BP blend to the SVS releases i have tried but they were still worth the $60 asking price.I've seen them go for $180 a bottle at Langtons and at that price i'd be scratching my head. 92 pts and fair value at CD price.
Interestingly everyone prefered the 2001 BP to the SVS and we all thought the Seppelts drank above its price. Anyone else have thoughts on these wines?
Cheers
Paul
Last edited by Paul T on Sun May 30, 2004 10:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
"You have only so many bottles in your life, never drink a bad one"
---Len Evans
---Len Evans
Anthony wrote:We started with the 98 Mamre Brook Cabernet. Jeez I wish I had dozens of this in the cellar.
Ant,
If you think the 98 is good, try the 96. I still have a dozen of the 96 in the cellar. I drank most of the first dozen when they were young and have kept the second dozen to age gracefully. It will be years before I get stuck into my 98's.
Hi Ric,
I can omly imagine how good it would be!! It seems that in the last 12 months, everything I have tried of the '96 vintage has been as good, if not better than '98. Will be interesting if this holds true in another 10 years.
cheers
anthony
I can omly imagine how good it would be!! It seems that in the last 12 months, everything I have tried of the '96 vintage has been as good, if not better than '98. Will be interesting if this holds true in another 10 years.
cheers
anthony
Good wine ruins the purse; bad wine ruins the stomach
Spanish saying
Spanish saying
-
Gavin Trott
- Posts: 1860
- Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2003 5:01 pm
- Location: Adelaide
- Contact:
Hi
Robyn and I went out ot a very enjoyable meal with Glen Green and partner Friday night here. New restaurant to me called Cos in the city. First time I've eaten there, won't be the last, stunning steaks, perfectly cooked, well priced ... absolutely delicious meal. 500 gms of perfectly cooked rib eye beef for me with an almost perfect reduction sauce (slightly salty perhaps).
The wines too were exciting, Glen bringing the 2001 Rippon Pinot Noir from Central Otago. My first try of this wine and I was very impressed. Beautiful Pinot nose, berries, cherries and hints of warm plums with touches of rhubarb and earth, plus an underlying gamey richness .
On the palate the wine followed through well, great mouthfeel with silky fruit/oak tannins and a long and lush finish. Some firm acid poked its head out there, but then the wine is young and will age and develop. Lovely stuff.
I brought along the 2001 Dutschke Oscar Semmler Shiraz.
Oh boy!!!
This just showed beautifully, with and without the steak. The nose was all I expect from Barossa Shiraz, huge depth of dark berry and plummy fruit, nicely judged background French oak (so much better than overt American oak), with liquered plums, dark cholcolate and coffee. The palate too was soft, warm, rich .. you could dive into it!
Everyone suddenly went silent when they first tried it, and that doesn't always happen, and every drop was enjoyed, with all of us wishing the bottle wouldn't end.
Great wine Wayne! If you have some, its worth trying one now, its really drinking well.
Great night, great wines.
Robyn and I went out ot a very enjoyable meal with Glen Green and partner Friday night here. New restaurant to me called Cos in the city. First time I've eaten there, won't be the last, stunning steaks, perfectly cooked, well priced ... absolutely delicious meal. 500 gms of perfectly cooked rib eye beef for me with an almost perfect reduction sauce (slightly salty perhaps).
The wines too were exciting, Glen bringing the 2001 Rippon Pinot Noir from Central Otago. My first try of this wine and I was very impressed. Beautiful Pinot nose, berries, cherries and hints of warm plums with touches of rhubarb and earth, plus an underlying gamey richness .
On the palate the wine followed through well, great mouthfeel with silky fruit/oak tannins and a long and lush finish. Some firm acid poked its head out there, but then the wine is young and will age and develop. Lovely stuff.
I brought along the 2001 Dutschke Oscar Semmler Shiraz.
Oh boy!!!
This just showed beautifully, with and without the steak. The nose was all I expect from Barossa Shiraz, huge depth of dark berry and plummy fruit, nicely judged background French oak (so much better than overt American oak), with liquered plums, dark cholcolate and coffee. The palate too was soft, warm, rich .. you could dive into it!
Everyone suddenly went silent when they first tried it, and that doesn't always happen, and every drop was enjoyed, with all of us wishing the bottle wouldn't end.
Great wine Wayne! If you have some, its worth trying one now, its really drinking well.
Great night, great wines.
regards
Gavin Trott
Gavin Trott
98 Wynns Cabernet : disapointed considering the hype. Insipid and green.
97 Highbank Cabernets : This is one of my fav coonawarra cabs and the bottle didn't disapoint. A craker needing as bit more time for perfection
98 Wendouree Shiraz : Tight but with good fruit starting to show through. Not bad considering Id cracked a 95 some time ago and was not that impressed
97 Highbank Cabernets : This is one of my fav coonawarra cabs and the bottle didn't disapoint. A craker needing as bit more time for perfection
98 Wendouree Shiraz : Tight but with good fruit starting to show through. Not bad considering Id cracked a 95 some time ago and was not that impressed
98 Baily's 1904 block: HUGE wine in the same category as say a Summerfield Reserve. Powdery tannis. I am leaving the rest alone for 20 years
99 Grosset gaia a very big cab blend with attractive fruit and oak. But way too young now, of course.
1980 Farmer Bros, Hunter Valley Hermitage Got this at auction for pitance, cracked the bottle and braced myself for almost anything. Actually, a bloody good wine! Not complex, but a seamless and drinkable food wine that dissapeared surprisingly fast.
99 Grosset gaia a very big cab blend with attractive fruit and oak. But way too young now, of course.
1980 Farmer Bros, Hunter Valley Hermitage Got this at auction for pitance, cracked the bottle and braced myself for almost anything. Actually, a bloody good wine! Not complex, but a seamless and drinkable food wine that dissapeared surprisingly fast.
TORB wrote:Anthony wrote:We started with the 98 Mamre Brook Cabernet. Jeez I wish I had dozens of this in the cellar.
Ant,
If you think the 98 is good, try the 96. I still have a dozen of the 96 in the cellar. I drank most of the first dozen when they were young and have kept the second dozen to age gracefully. It will be years before I get stuck into my 98's.
TORB,
Have you tried the '02 of this? I tasted it at the Brisbane Wine Show last year and was quite impressed with it. How would you rate the '02 compared to the '96, or '98?
Bill
It’s been a busy week, with a lot of wines sampled. I’ve made separate posts for when I filled in at the Black Tongues last Wednesday, and the Orlando latest releases, leaving these two notes plus a brief list of my best wines from the Small Winemakers Show at the Norwood Hotel yesterday (I didn’t take notes):
2002 Tin Shed Single Wire Barossa Shiraz – best wine of the day; amazing depth, power and softness.
2003 Tim Adams Clare Riesling – one of the best 2003 Rieslings I’ve tried; amazing zing and complexity.
2004 Turkey Flat Rose – Top notch, and apparently Charlie Melton’s is even better when it’s released.
1999 Irvine Grand Merlot – the best Merlot I’ve ever tried , but at $73 ouch!
2001 Primo Estate Joseph Cabernet Merlot – needs at least 5-7 years to settle down, but everything’s there.
2002 Torbreck The Steadings – a little dumb on the nose, but the palate was the best of the Rhone blends.
2002 Irvine South Australian Merlot – for a straight merlot under $15, this was brilliant.
2002 Lengs & Cooter The Victor – I’ve raved about this for the last month, and it didn’t disappoint again.
1998 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon: Dark crimson colour. When I pulled the cork on this wine, it was stained all the way through and stunk of nail polish remover (EA?). A very complex and savoury nose of chocolate, mint and camphor, and some coffee and formic acid with breathing. The palate has a particularly aggressive acidic entry, shot with VA through the mid-palate, finishing with big, chalky tannins. Over four nights the palate showed some savoury flavours: initially chocolate and eucalyptus with coffee/raisin on the aftertaste, then some fish sauce, blackberry and blueberry, some star anise and vegemite, and finally blackcurrant and licorice with lingering chocolate. There was always a surprisingly strong acidic punch to the palate which tainted the experience, making me wonder whether there was a bottle fault/batch fault; by the fourth night it had eased off, but those huge chalky tannins seemed to be getting coarser with time. I was highly critical of a bottle presented at Magill Estate cellar door a couple of months back, and while there were a lot of good things to say about this bottle, it’s hard to see where this wine is going.
1999 Neighbours McLaren Vale Shiraz: Medium red colour. Elegant perfumed nose with violets, smoked meats, and a hunt of musk & dusty earth. The palate continues the same theme in a mid weight structure; a mixture of freshly crushed red fruits, and elegant tannins making a lingering, smoky finish.
Cheers
Ian
2002 Tin Shed Single Wire Barossa Shiraz – best wine of the day; amazing depth, power and softness.
2003 Tim Adams Clare Riesling – one of the best 2003 Rieslings I’ve tried; amazing zing and complexity.
2004 Turkey Flat Rose – Top notch, and apparently Charlie Melton’s is even better when it’s released.
1999 Irvine Grand Merlot – the best Merlot I’ve ever tried , but at $73 ouch!
2001 Primo Estate Joseph Cabernet Merlot – needs at least 5-7 years to settle down, but everything’s there.
2002 Torbreck The Steadings – a little dumb on the nose, but the palate was the best of the Rhone blends.
2002 Irvine South Australian Merlot – for a straight merlot under $15, this was brilliant.
2002 Lengs & Cooter The Victor – I’ve raved about this for the last month, and it didn’t disappoint again.
1998 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon: Dark crimson colour. When I pulled the cork on this wine, it was stained all the way through and stunk of nail polish remover (EA?). A very complex and savoury nose of chocolate, mint and camphor, and some coffee and formic acid with breathing. The palate has a particularly aggressive acidic entry, shot with VA through the mid-palate, finishing with big, chalky tannins. Over four nights the palate showed some savoury flavours: initially chocolate and eucalyptus with coffee/raisin on the aftertaste, then some fish sauce, blackberry and blueberry, some star anise and vegemite, and finally blackcurrant and licorice with lingering chocolate. There was always a surprisingly strong acidic punch to the palate which tainted the experience, making me wonder whether there was a bottle fault/batch fault; by the fourth night it had eased off, but those huge chalky tannins seemed to be getting coarser with time. I was highly critical of a bottle presented at Magill Estate cellar door a couple of months back, and while there were a lot of good things to say about this bottle, it’s hard to see where this wine is going.
1999 Neighbours McLaren Vale Shiraz: Medium red colour. Elegant perfumed nose with violets, smoked meats, and a hunt of musk & dusty earth. The palate continues the same theme in a mid weight structure; a mixture of freshly crushed red fruits, and elegant tannins making a lingering, smoky finish.
Cheers
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
-
JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Henschke Keyneton Estate 1999 - Atypical Henschke nose- seasoned oak with dark fruits and anise. Palate weight light on-bad bottle maybe as my mate who provided the wine said his last two bottles much better-with a finish of good length and savoury notes.
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2001 - Not a patch on the previous bottle. Slight TCA the culprit. I suspected at the first sniff but did not want to believe! The solid structure was there, medium weighted wine with a long, defined finish, balanced wave of acid, fine tannin and hint of alchohol warmth. Earth, spice, peper and red fruits evident. The ethereal nature and floral lift of the previous bottle the victim of TCA. Reinforced the insidous behaviour of TCA on high quality wine.
A mistake to drink, as my Honky purveyor of fine wine a no questions exchange.
Killibinbin Shiraz 2000 - Sweet strawberry and Malibu nose gave way, thankfully, to a more approachable and integrated dark berry, vanillan oak and jammy aromas. Mid weight and mid density wine-vintage reflection? Rounded by a unobtrusive acid and light tannin finish. Flavour persistance X-mas cake like
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2001 - Not a patch on the previous bottle. Slight TCA the culprit. I suspected at the first sniff but did not want to believe! The solid structure was there, medium weighted wine with a long, defined finish, balanced wave of acid, fine tannin and hint of alchohol warmth. Earth, spice, peper and red fruits evident. The ethereal nature and floral lift of the previous bottle the victim of TCA. Reinforced the insidous behaviour of TCA on high quality wine.
A mistake to drink, as my Honky purveyor of fine wine a no questions exchange.
Killibinbin Shiraz 2000 - Sweet strawberry and Malibu nose gave way, thankfully, to a more approachable and integrated dark berry, vanillan oak and jammy aromas. Mid weight and mid density wine-vintage reflection? Rounded by a unobtrusive acid and light tannin finish. Flavour persistance X-mas cake like
Well, I handled (fondled?) every one of my bottles this weekend, by virtue of the fact we're moving house. Shudder! So, 35 cases conveyed to a mates place on Saturday afternoon (and a case and a half dropped in a my parents, where due to non-convergence of moving and settlement dates, we're holing up for a month. Will 18 bottles see us through? Unlikely...)
As we had nothing to eat in the house by Saturday night, we ventured to an Afghani restaurant in Gladesville, and I scurried off several blocks to the first grog shop I could find - which turned out to be First Estate - my debut visit. A vast store, whose size was matched only by the inflation of its prices. And here's a funny thing - given that we were at a restaurant, with no other wine available, I was utterly determined to buy a wine under screwcap. Under no circumstances was I prepared to run the risk of spending the next 20 minutes walking up and down the street in the cold dealing with a potentially corked wine.
2003 Tulloch Verdelho (Hunter)
Pale straw. Aromas of musk, with fresh floral overtones. Cleansing acid in the mouth, balance towards the front palate, light body (hooray for a decently balanced verdelho at 12.5% instead of 14%), refreshing medium length palate. Uninspiring, but perfectly satisfactory wine, and respectable value at a single bottle price of $12
cheers,
Graeme
As we had nothing to eat in the house by Saturday night, we ventured to an Afghani restaurant in Gladesville, and I scurried off several blocks to the first grog shop I could find - which turned out to be First Estate - my debut visit. A vast store, whose size was matched only by the inflation of its prices. And here's a funny thing - given that we were at a restaurant, with no other wine available, I was utterly determined to buy a wine under screwcap. Under no circumstances was I prepared to run the risk of spending the next 20 minutes walking up and down the street in the cold dealing with a potentially corked wine.
2003 Tulloch Verdelho (Hunter)
Pale straw. Aromas of musk, with fresh floral overtones. Cleansing acid in the mouth, balance towards the front palate, light body (hooray for a decently balanced verdelho at 12.5% instead of 14%), refreshing medium length palate. Uninspiring, but perfectly satisfactory wine, and respectable value at a single bottle price of $12
cheers,
Graeme
-
Jess
I prefer the 98 Mamre Brook cabernet to the 96 (had many of both) but only just; they are both great wines and brilliant at the price. The 98 is now drinking well, soft,, fruity, some maged characters and eminently consumable. Will hold another 10 easily if you wish though. In general I prefer 96 Barossa to 98, but this is an exception. Maybe I prefer 98 Barossa cabernet, and 96 Barossa shiraz? That's something I hadn't considered ...
Interestingly, the 98 Mamre Brook cab has a very slight touch of brett, giving it that very slight savouriness. Here, I like it.
Also: 2001 Clonakilla s-v has a higher than average cork taint problem. One of the best wines ever produced in this country, but plagued by cork issues. No fault of Tim Kirk's of course. Worth watching, this one ...
Jess
Interestingly, the 98 Mamre Brook cab has a very slight touch of brett, giving it that very slight savouriness. Here, I like it.
Also: 2001 Clonakilla s-v has a higher than average cork taint problem. One of the best wines ever produced in this country, but plagued by cork issues. No fault of Tim Kirk's of course. Worth watching, this one ...
Jess
2000 Noon Eclipse - I don't have much 2000 South Australia and I thought I should have a look at what I do have - this is a pleasant wine but going no where (where as I think the 97 and 98 are great)
2001 Penfolds Bin 28 - seem to have been a few odd comments on this one so having bought a 6 pack without trying it thought I should check it - enjoyable young Kalimna - leave for 10 years
1999 Seppelt Original Spk Shiraz - the spk shiraz quaffer in the House at the moment - always enjoyable even if the 99 is slightly lighter and sweeter than the absolutely best years.
David
2001 Penfolds Bin 28 - seem to have been a few odd comments on this one so having bought a 6 pack without trying it thought I should check it - enjoyable young Kalimna - leave for 10 years
1999 Seppelt Original Spk Shiraz - the spk shiraz quaffer in the House at the moment - always enjoyable even if the 99 is slightly lighter and sweeter than the absolutely best years.
David
David J
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake 1Ti 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake 1Ti 5:23
Fresh back from a couple of weeks in Adelaide, with drinking aplenty. Notes are all from memory, so even scanter than my usual ones.
Crabtree Tempranillo (missed the vintage - 01 or 02) - Chose this at Nu's Thai to not overwhelm the food, and it did the job. Recommended. Any more detail than that is scant - it was two weeks ago.
Forester Chardonnay (I think 02) - Again, recommended. Compared to the blockbuster 02 MR Chards I tasted in WA a few months ago, just a quaffer.
A few quaffing reds in the first few days, I think including a Harcourt Valley Preservative Free Shiraz (vintage unknown...the label was a business card and stick tape; Acceptable) and a Baldivis Cab Merlot 99 (Recommended).
Once the bridge event was over we could relax and try something a little better:
Lindemans Padthaway Chardonnay 1992 (Re-Release) - Lovely stuff, probably at its peak now. Excellent.
Longview Black Crow Nebbiolo 2002 - Interesting wine: enough muscle but a little thin on the middle palate. Recommended.
St Hallett Gamekeepers Reserve 1998 - Getting a little thin. Recommended, but don't keep it any longer.
Waninga Reserve Shiraz 1994 - Tried this a year before. Pleasant but not exceptional; not past it but hard to see where it's headed. I wouldn't keep it more than a couple more years. Highly recommended.
Hardys Oomoo Shiraz 02 - A good quaffer but no more. Recommended.
Petaluma Viognier 03 - I didn't have much of this, but I remember it as good but not exceptional. Certainly better value to be had in the varietal with Yalumba or Casella.
Annies Lane Shiraz 02 - Another good quaffer, but despite some of the bargain prices around I won't be rushing out to get any.
Trafford Hill Monique 02 - A blend of shiraz (80%), cabernet and grenache. Intended as a Rhoney-style shiraz. The grenache has a big effect on the nose, while the cabernet gives it a bit of structure. Well-balanced with drying tannins, will improve for another 5-10 years.
Wirra Wirra Grenache 02 - Tasty Stuff - our pick of the cellar door wines (ahead of the Angelus, but RSW not for tasting). Plummy fruit and spice in a fairly well-balanced palate - no big alcoholic hit.
Wirra Wirra Fortified Sweet White - Rolled down the throat really easily - made of a blend of whites but tasting just like a tokay.
Pennys Hill Red Spot Shiraz 03 - Consumed at the lovely cafe at the cellar door, at cellar door prices ($18). Up front fruit without any great focus. Highly Recommended. Good value from the CD, superb at the cafe.
Petaluma Riesling 03 - I would post a review but my wife drunk it all (not in one sitting)
Cullen Chardonnay 97 - Beautiful stuff: Excellent. Unlikely to improve further.
Kaesler Stonehorse Shiraz 02 - Very classy wine - good fruit, but superb structure and probably the potential for a long life. Excellent+
Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 98 - Good stuff, but not as good as the Cullen or Lindemans...might improve a little more, but unlikely to hit the heights of the 96. Highly Recommended.
Penley Shiraz Cabernet 95 - Good fruit, aging nicely. Might improve a little more as there are more tannins to soften. At the moment, Highly Recommended...might hit Excellent- in time.
I've skipped wines from tastings (at Petaluma, Trafford Hill, Wirra Wirra, Pennys Hill, Kays, D'arenberg, Maxwell,The Settlement Wine Co, Dutschke, Kaesler and Veritas). Another post.
Kieran
Crabtree Tempranillo (missed the vintage - 01 or 02) - Chose this at Nu's Thai to not overwhelm the food, and it did the job. Recommended. Any more detail than that is scant - it was two weeks ago.
Forester Chardonnay (I think 02) - Again, recommended. Compared to the blockbuster 02 MR Chards I tasted in WA a few months ago, just a quaffer.
A few quaffing reds in the first few days, I think including a Harcourt Valley Preservative Free Shiraz (vintage unknown...the label was a business card and stick tape; Acceptable) and a Baldivis Cab Merlot 99 (Recommended).
Once the bridge event was over we could relax and try something a little better:
Lindemans Padthaway Chardonnay 1992 (Re-Release) - Lovely stuff, probably at its peak now. Excellent.
Longview Black Crow Nebbiolo 2002 - Interesting wine: enough muscle but a little thin on the middle palate. Recommended.
St Hallett Gamekeepers Reserve 1998 - Getting a little thin. Recommended, but don't keep it any longer.
Waninga Reserve Shiraz 1994 - Tried this a year before. Pleasant but not exceptional; not past it but hard to see where it's headed. I wouldn't keep it more than a couple more years. Highly recommended.
Hardys Oomoo Shiraz 02 - A good quaffer but no more. Recommended.
Petaluma Viognier 03 - I didn't have much of this, but I remember it as good but not exceptional. Certainly better value to be had in the varietal with Yalumba or Casella.
Annies Lane Shiraz 02 - Another good quaffer, but despite some of the bargain prices around I won't be rushing out to get any.
Trafford Hill Monique 02 - A blend of shiraz (80%), cabernet and grenache. Intended as a Rhoney-style shiraz. The grenache has a big effect on the nose, while the cabernet gives it a bit of structure. Well-balanced with drying tannins, will improve for another 5-10 years.
Wirra Wirra Grenache 02 - Tasty Stuff - our pick of the cellar door wines (ahead of the Angelus, but RSW not for tasting). Plummy fruit and spice in a fairly well-balanced palate - no big alcoholic hit.
Wirra Wirra Fortified Sweet White - Rolled down the throat really easily - made of a blend of whites but tasting just like a tokay.
Pennys Hill Red Spot Shiraz 03 - Consumed at the lovely cafe at the cellar door, at cellar door prices ($18). Up front fruit without any great focus. Highly Recommended. Good value from the CD, superb at the cafe.
Petaluma Riesling 03 - I would post a review but my wife drunk it all (not in one sitting)
Cullen Chardonnay 97 - Beautiful stuff: Excellent. Unlikely to improve further.
Kaesler Stonehorse Shiraz 02 - Very classy wine - good fruit, but superb structure and probably the potential for a long life. Excellent+
Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 98 - Good stuff, but not as good as the Cullen or Lindemans...might improve a little more, but unlikely to hit the heights of the 96. Highly Recommended.
Penley Shiraz Cabernet 95 - Good fruit, aging nicely. Might improve a little more as there are more tannins to soften. At the moment, Highly Recommended...might hit Excellent- in time.
I've skipped wines from tastings (at Petaluma, Trafford Hill, Wirra Wirra, Pennys Hill, Kays, D'arenberg, Maxwell,The Settlement Wine Co, Dutschke, Kaesler and Veritas). Another post.
Kieran
-
JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Clonakilla SV 01
Thanks for the tip regarding the taint Jess.
I agree with your enthusiasm for the wine.
For me, the standout quality, is the fruit balance between the viognier and shiraz. Near perfect. The lift, the mothfeel, complexity and the finish-all the best qualities of viognier come through.
Many SV in Australia seem to get the above all wrong-ripe shiraz fruit and hot viognier-yuck.
Having tried just under 40 Cote Roties from the 01 vintage earlier in the year, the quality and price of the 01 Clonakilla excellant.
Did I see the 01 Clonakilla achieve $70 at auction recently? Adding on commission makes Hong Kong buying of this wine cheap!
I agree with your enthusiasm for the wine.
For me, the standout quality, is the fruit balance between the viognier and shiraz. Near perfect. The lift, the mothfeel, complexity and the finish-all the best qualities of viognier come through.
Many SV in Australia seem to get the above all wrong-ripe shiraz fruit and hot viognier-yuck.
Having tried just under 40 Cote Roties from the 01 vintage earlier in the year, the quality and price of the 01 Clonakilla excellant.
Did I see the 01 Clonakilla achieve $70 at auction recently? Adding on commission makes Hong Kong buying of this wine cheap!
Jess wrote: I like it.
Also: 2001 Clonakilla s-v has a higher than average cork taint problem. One of the best wines ever produced in this country, but plagued by cork issues. No fault of Tim Kirk's of course. Worth watching, this one ...
Jess
Gee that is dissapointing that it is ravaged by cork taint.
Adair opened one of these in Brisbane and I found it Geeky and peppery.
I hope it improves.
michel
International Chambertin Day 16th May
Everybody, please stop drinking your 2001 Clonakilla Shiraz Viogniers. You are wasting them. If you need to taste this heavenly offering from Clonakilla, drink the 2002. The 2001 is now sleeping and does not like being woken up. It will, however, reward you richly if you do not disturb it until 2006.
Kind regards with a hint of seriousness,
Adair
Kind regards with a hint of seriousness,
Adair
-
George Krashos
- Posts: 474
- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2003 7:26 pm
On Wednesday night, to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday a group of ten went out to our favourite Thai restaurant, the owner of which is something of a wine buff.
The line up was:
1986 Orlando St Hugo Cabernet: Great old drink. Still had fruit and a tannic backbone in the mouthfeel. Savoury characters and lovely length. I could have sipped this all night.
1995 Rockford Cabernet: Drunk right at the end of the night so my attention was waning by that stage. Seemed slightly "off" (slightly corked?) but given the company (see below) not surprising that it didn't make much of an impression.
1998 Rockford Home Block Cabernet: I love wines out of magnum! This was a delicious drink showing the vintage to advantage. Not overly oaky or tannic (as is the Rockford style) and still had plenty in the tank re aging. This disappeared very quickly and thought by all a "damn good drink".
1991 Grant Burge Meschach Shiraz: I struggle with Grant Burge wines most of the time as I usually taste splinters (overt american oak). This one was much smoother given the bottle age but still very big and alcoholic. I drank it and moved on.
1992 Henschke Hill of Grace: Never had this vintage before and given its reputation was expecting green or underripe characters. Not present. A very soft and mouthfilling wine with good length. Flavoursome and open, it was preferred by some to the wine it was drunk and compared with below.
1987 Penfolds Grange: I've never drunk much Grange (I'm not Kerry Packer!) but this was enjoyable. Of course seeing the label made it a good wine from the start! Despite being five years older than the Henschke it was tighter and more powerful (which makes me wonder what the '90 or '98 must taste like) but had a wonderful mix of flavours and good length. An impressive drink but I'm sure it was a lot cheaper back then.
On Saturday night I opened a Charles Melton Cabernet 1999. More forward and devloped than I'd expected, it wasn't showing much tannin and it's either on the plateau or going through a dumb phase. A good drink but nothing to rave about - I'll bet on the pedigree of the winemaker and let my other bottles sit tight for a few years.
Also opened a Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 1991, but alas, corked.
Cousin's birthday on the Sunday saw more wine. Wynns Black Label Cabernet 1998 was on offer. First one was corked, the second wasn't, but didn't blow me away. I have a dozen of these sitting away but I'm afraid they'll never hit the heights of the '86, '90 or '91. I was expecting ripe and volumptuous fruit on the palate but it came across as on the thinner side with a bit too much acid for my liking. I'm wondering whether to start drinking mine or leaving them to see if they improve ....
Also drank the 1995 Mt Edelstone which had held up well but was definitely in a holding pattern. Age won't make this one better. Savoury fruit without intrusive oak or tannin, it was pleasant and went well with my steak. Won't live on in the memory banks though.
-- George Krashos
The line up was:
1986 Orlando St Hugo Cabernet: Great old drink. Still had fruit and a tannic backbone in the mouthfeel. Savoury characters and lovely length. I could have sipped this all night.
1995 Rockford Cabernet: Drunk right at the end of the night so my attention was waning by that stage. Seemed slightly "off" (slightly corked?) but given the company (see below) not surprising that it didn't make much of an impression.
1998 Rockford Home Block Cabernet: I love wines out of magnum! This was a delicious drink showing the vintage to advantage. Not overly oaky or tannic (as is the Rockford style) and still had plenty in the tank re aging. This disappeared very quickly and thought by all a "damn good drink".
1991 Grant Burge Meschach Shiraz: I struggle with Grant Burge wines most of the time as I usually taste splinters (overt american oak). This one was much smoother given the bottle age but still very big and alcoholic. I drank it and moved on.
1992 Henschke Hill of Grace: Never had this vintage before and given its reputation was expecting green or underripe characters. Not present. A very soft and mouthfilling wine with good length. Flavoursome and open, it was preferred by some to the wine it was drunk and compared with below.
1987 Penfolds Grange: I've never drunk much Grange (I'm not Kerry Packer!) but this was enjoyable. Of course seeing the label made it a good wine from the start! Despite being five years older than the Henschke it was tighter and more powerful (which makes me wonder what the '90 or '98 must taste like) but had a wonderful mix of flavours and good length. An impressive drink but I'm sure it was a lot cheaper back then.
On Saturday night I opened a Charles Melton Cabernet 1999. More forward and devloped than I'd expected, it wasn't showing much tannin and it's either on the plateau or going through a dumb phase. A good drink but nothing to rave about - I'll bet on the pedigree of the winemaker and let my other bottles sit tight for a few years.
Also opened a Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 1991, but alas, corked.
Cousin's birthday on the Sunday saw more wine. Wynns Black Label Cabernet 1998 was on offer. First one was corked, the second wasn't, but didn't blow me away. I have a dozen of these sitting away but I'm afraid they'll never hit the heights of the '86, '90 or '91. I was expecting ripe and volumptuous fruit on the palate but it came across as on the thinner side with a bit too much acid for my liking. I'm wondering whether to start drinking mine or leaving them to see if they improve ....
Also drank the 1995 Mt Edelstone which had held up well but was definitely in a holding pattern. Age won't make this one better. Savoury fruit without intrusive oak or tannin, it was pleasant and went well with my steak. Won't live on in the memory banks though.
-- George Krashos
-
JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
Michael
What's Geeky? Pardon my ignorance.
Personally, found the black pepper and spice complemented the black fruit of the wine.
I find shiraz from the Frankland River region undrinkable, depite a core of ripe fruit, due the white pepper bomb dominance.
Any ideas of good examples of the style?
George
1992 HofG- Keep telling those of no faith, this is one for the long haul.
1995 Mt Ed- An honourable effort from the vintage IMHO. Will try a bottle next week.
What's Geeky? Pardon my ignorance.
Personally, found the black pepper and spice complemented the black fruit of the wine.
I find shiraz from the Frankland River region undrinkable, depite a core of ripe fruit, due the white pepper bomb dominance.
Any ideas of good examples of the style?
George
1992 HofG- Keep telling those of no faith, this is one for the long haul.
1995 Mt Ed- An honourable effort from the vintage IMHO. Will try a bottle next week.
Last edited by JamieBahrain on Tue Jun 01, 2004 2:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
.
Sheez,
All this negative talk about the Wynns '98 B/L, I had one last week and thought it very good. Not as good as the '96, 90 or '91, but not far off.
Now I've gotta ask myself is it bottle variation or my rank palate?!?
Otherwise, these were drunk last week as well:
'02 Tahbilk Marsanne. The usual classic, will age well.
'03 D'Arenberg "Money Spider" Rousanne. Don't know what to make of Oz Rousanne after this, Giaconda and St Huberts were all different, but unnapealing.
'02 Trentham Estate Viognier. One of the more understated, elegant of Oz Viognier that will, I believe, get better with another year in the bottle. Quite good!.
A blend of the three afor mentioned wines. Bloody ripper!
'02 Margan Semillon. Good, clean and enjoyable.
'94 Penfolds Semillon. Not quite varietally correct, but smells and tastes interesting with some time to hit it's best yet.
'01 Scorpo Chardonnay. Very intense but elegant Peninsula Chardy that is a couple of years from opening right up.
'00 Pierro Chardonnay. Intense power typical of the brand, not for the faint hearted, but very well made.
'99 Bannockburn Chardonnay. Oxidised, bummer, doubt I will get any joy from Mr G Farr in terms of a return bottle.
'95 Mitchelton "Blackwood Park" Riesling. A re-release that is ageing well, and has enough fruit and acid backbone to go much further.
Rory
All this negative talk about the Wynns '98 B/L, I had one last week and thought it very good. Not as good as the '96, 90 or '91, but not far off.
Now I've gotta ask myself is it bottle variation or my rank palate?!?
Otherwise, these were drunk last week as well:
'02 Tahbilk Marsanne. The usual classic, will age well.
'03 D'Arenberg "Money Spider" Rousanne. Don't know what to make of Oz Rousanne after this, Giaconda and St Huberts were all different, but unnapealing.
'02 Trentham Estate Viognier. One of the more understated, elegant of Oz Viognier that will, I believe, get better with another year in the bottle. Quite good!.
A blend of the three afor mentioned wines. Bloody ripper!
'02 Margan Semillon. Good, clean and enjoyable.
'94 Penfolds Semillon. Not quite varietally correct, but smells and tastes interesting with some time to hit it's best yet.
'01 Scorpo Chardonnay. Very intense but elegant Peninsula Chardy that is a couple of years from opening right up.
'00 Pierro Chardonnay. Intense power typical of the brand, not for the faint hearted, but very well made.
'99 Bannockburn Chardonnay. Oxidised, bummer, doubt I will get any joy from Mr G Farr in terms of a return bottle.
'95 Mitchelton "Blackwood Park" Riesling. A re-release that is ageing well, and has enough fruit and acid backbone to go much further.
Rory
George Krashos wrote:On Wednesday night, to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday a group of ten went out to our favourite Thai restaurant, the owner of which is something of a wine buff.
Hi George,
Glad to find another person who drinks red wine with Thai food.
I know a few Thai people who enjoy their red wine very much.
I find shiraz without too much tannin and oak works best with Thai food. I'm currently working on a selection of about 8 bottles to take to Thailand in August when we visit Thai friends there who very much enjoy red wine.
Cheers
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Brian
Life's too short to drink white wine and red wine is better for you too! :-)
Charles Melton Sparkling Burgundy - 1989 disgorgement. This bottle was of unknown provenance so I was a bit concerned as to whether it would still be drinking well. It also had a white / cream label rather than the black one that I am used to and no vintage disgorgement date. A quick call to the winery and the helpful staff identified it via Charlie as being a 1989 or thereabouts.
Extracting the cork was BLOODY hard as it was a very tight seal but finally got there. Great wine - moving towards brick red in colour with a reasonable amount of bead still kicking around. Nicely evolved long palate with good plummy fruit and some leathery / savoury notes. By the second glass that perfumed nose I tend to associate with most Melton wines was also starting to show through.ÂÂÂ
I've now got plenty of inspiration to leave the Melton Sparkling Burgundys / Reds in my cellar there a little bit longer, but still probably not the willpower.
Extracting the cork was BLOODY hard as it was a very tight seal but finally got there. Great wine - moving towards brick red in colour with a reasonable amount of bead still kicking around. Nicely evolved long palate with good plummy fruit and some leathery / savoury notes. By the second glass that perfumed nose I tend to associate with most Melton wines was also starting to show through.ÂÂÂ
I've now got plenty of inspiration to leave the Melton Sparkling Burgundys / Reds in my cellar there a little bit longer, but still probably not the willpower.
-
Martin C
-
JamieBahrain
- Posts: 3754
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2003 7:40 am
- Location: Fragrant Harbour.
One night of excess
St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 1991 - Drinking beautifully now. This bottle did not have as much browning of colour as one drunk last year. Still has beautiful fruit.
Petaluma Coonawarra 1992 - Another Coonawarra experience. Great nose and good length on the palate.
Hardy’s Tintara Shiraz 1998 – Real McLaren Vale shiraz drinking well now. Excellent
Chidlow’s Well Shiraz 2002 – We needed one more wine for the evening. From the hills east of the Swan Valley. Interesting nose and lots of fruit. It was in tough company though. Held up well on the second night.
St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 1991 - Drinking beautifully now. This bottle did not have as much browning of colour as one drunk last year. Still has beautiful fruit.
Petaluma Coonawarra 1992 - Another Coonawarra experience. Great nose and good length on the palate.
Hardy’s Tintara Shiraz 1998 – Real McLaren Vale shiraz drinking well now. Excellent
Chidlow’s Well Shiraz 2002 – We needed one more wine for the evening. From the hills east of the Swan Valley. Interesting nose and lots of fruit. It was in tough company though. Held up well on the second night.
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted
George Krashos wrote:Cousin's birthday on the Sunday saw more wine. Wynns Black Label Cabernet 1998 was on offer. First one was corked, the second wasn't, but didn't blow me away. I have a dozen of these sitting away but I'm afraid they'll never hit the heights of the '86, '90 or '91. I was expecting ripe and volumptuous fruit on the palate but it came across as on the thinner side with a bit too much acid for my liking. I'm wondering whether to start drinking mine or leaving them to see if they improve ....
I tried one of my 98 Wynns Black Labels last year and wasn't too impressed with it either. Just as a comparison I opened a 2000 Majella Cab, and the 98 Wynns didn't even come close to that one! I think I'll leave the Wynns for another couple of years to see if they improve.
Bill