Sunday drinking reports 9/9/12

[Sean]

deleted

[daz]

I thought the Hoddles Creek Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2011 I had to be a bit on the savoury side. I've a few bottles left so will try it again in a few months.

[sjw_11]

2004 Arras Grand Vintage... Tasmanian sparkles, Ed Carr's #2 label. Vibrant colour, yellow, flecked with green. Quite a pure, fruit driven nose with some citrus and just a bit of toasty complexity. Consistent palate, very fresh, clean and linear. I'd say this would be lovely to put away for a few years. Very fine example of Aussie bubbles.

Meerea Estate "Aunts" Single Vineyard Shiraz 2010... Youthful blood red, intense classic Hunter Valley nose, swirling mix of red fruits, cloves, and young, supple leather. Medium-bodied and persistent on the tounge, with gentle, mouth coating tannins. Will be sublime in 10-yrs. Infanticide. Top value about ~$30 at CD.

Brokenwood Semillon 2011... Green/yellow, youthful looking still. Fresh, clean nose of cut grass, mouth watering citrus, and some light floral notes. Crisp, mouth puckering palate, finishing clean and zippy - refreshing. Nice spring time wine, perfect for drinking young.

Wynn's "Hermitage" Shiraz 1991... Perfect level, perfect cork. Damn near perfect wine. Light ruby red in the decanter, this immediately showed an intense, focussed nose dominated by lifted crushed red berries and fresh plum. The palate carried a whack of flavour still, having lost no intensity for its age. Primarily fruit driven characters, just a hint of gamey/savoury development on the back palate. Long, persistent finish and supple, velvet mouthfeel. Very impressive. Best drinking now but will hold.

[dan_smee]

Majella The Musician Cabernet Shiraz 2011 - Only subtle oak, very easy-drinking and pure, bright fruit characters. Really top draw for 18 bucks.
Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir 2010 - Bright red berries, almost candied strawberry notes on the nose, palate mouth-filling and long.

[dan_smee]

2004 Arras Grand Vintage... Tasmanian sparkles, Ed Carr's #2 label. Vibrant colour, yellow, flecked with green. Quite a pure, fruit driven nose with some citrus and just a bit of toasty complexity. Consistent palate, very fresh, clean and linear. I'd say this would be lovely to put away for a few years. Very fine example of Aussie bubbles.

Meerea Estate "Aunts" Single Vineyard Shiraz 2010... Youthful blood red, intense classic Hunter Valley nose, swirling mix of red fruits, cloves, and young, supple leather. Medium-bodied and persistent on the tounge, with gentle, mouth coating tannins. Will be sublime in 10-yrs. Infanticide. Top value about ~$30 at CD.

Brokenwood Semillon 2011... Green/yellow, youthful looking still. Fresh, clean nose of cut grass, mouth watering citrus, and some light floral notes. Crisp, mouth puckering palate, finishing clean and zippy - refreshing. Nice spring time wine, perfect for drinking young.

Wynn's "Hermitage" Shiraz 1991... Perfect level, perfect cork. Damn near perfect wine. Light ruby red in the decanter, this immediately showed an intense, focussed nose dominated by lifted crushed red berries and fresh plum. The palate carried a whack of flavour still, having lost no intensity for its age. Primarily fruit driven characters, just a hint of gamey/savoury development on the back palate. Long, persistent finish and supple, velvet mouthfeel. Very impressive. Best drinking now but will hold.

Very jealous of all of these Sam!

Pretty top drawer list.

[Sean]

deleted

[damonpeyo]

on Sunday, drank '07 Cape Mentelle Trinders Cabernet Merlot far better than '06, believe '06 was a wet season for the area, more "proper" for it's Trinders style this '07 vintage I drank, not too oaky, just well balanced. I was impressed.

Lovely drop, so smooth, clean finish, medium palate, easy drinking along with Angus Black Porterhouse cooked rare where the tannins just merged with the steak in like-mindedness harmony.

[TiggerK]

Had a good afternoon on Saturday with a few Grape Mates at Wine Library.. We weren't doing notes, so just from memory. Scores FWIW.......

Belluard Mont-Blanc Brut Zero (Sparkling) Savoie 2006 - Cheesy nose, nice smooth fresh mid palate and a really interesting, exciting long finish. 93
By Farr Chardonnay 2008 - Good modern style, bit of butter, oak quite restrained yet adding some spice. Like a touch more acid if I was picky, but really good stuff. 92
Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon 1999 (slightly oxidised - replaced with....) - Faulty
Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon 1998 - (happy with the 98 replacement!) - As always a delicious wine, but still so, so young!! 93
Tyrrell's 'Johnno's' Basket Press Hunter Semillon 2011 - Blind Options (thanks WL!) - Only two picked Aussie, then none picked Semillon. #optionsfail. Many picked Pinot Gris/Grigio! Weighty fruity, bit of pear. Interesting and Quaffable. 90
Foillard 'Cote Du Py' Morgon Beaujolais 2010 - Loved this, still seems a 'big' style of booj, but great gamay characters, smooth and long. 92
Domaine Gros Nore Bandol Provence 2007 - Quite hot on the nose, but this settled with some air. Typical Mourvedre earthy grippy notes with plenty of tannins. Solid Good. 90
Ochota Barrels 'Fugazi' Grenache McLaren Vale 2010 - Listened to a critic's 96 point rave, that'll teach me. Nothing wrong, just no real character jumping out. Maybe with a fresher palate, it might be different. 89
Sami-Odi Hoffman Dallwitz MCMX11 Old Vine Syrah Barossa Valley 2010 - Note the 'Barossa Syrah' labelling! Really enjoyed this. Plenty of weight, deep and vibrant dark and red fruit with a velvety mouthfeel and good length. Barossan, and yet really not. 94

Great food, vibe and staff as well at Wine Library! Was my first visit, can't wait to go back and hit that great winelist again!!

Then we all kicked on to Lowenbrau for the beerfilled bucks night frenzy (congrats to odyssey!)...... sore head Sunday.

And really enjoying a Mumm NV tonight, tip-top condition. Fresh and delicious.

[Luke W]

Had a 2005 Maglieri Shiraz with pizza last night. Nothing too flash but they worked well together - sometimes it's nice to have simple but flavoursome

[dlo]

Just got back from the Wagga Jazz Festival with participation in 2 trad bands and a mainstream/swing band that all went very well except for one set that we stuffed up in several places ($%^& happens).

Eleven of us took a large rental property for 3 nights that cost us about $100 bucks each which was not only economical terrific for rehearsals and plenty of "socialising".

The case of wine I took down went down with aplomb.

What we drank -

Moet and Chandon Dom Perignon 1996 - utterly brilliant and after two hours on ice was even more powerful, complex and compelling. Brilliant. 96

Domaine Courbis Cornas Champlerose 1999 - amazingly pure and rivetting with the most amazingly attractive blackberry fruit amongst a whole lot of other positive qualities. 91

Penfolds 1956 5 Star Club Port - just a wonderful drop - all too smooth and easy to drink - disappeared amongst six of us in next to no time.

Leo Buring Leonay Watervale Riesling 2002 - A wonderfully vibrant young riesling with superb tight limy fruit, some classy bottle development and a succulent but ohso dry and lengthy finish full of minerality. 93

Jamieson's Run Alexander's Block Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - top notch Coonawarra combining a seamless mix of first rate fruit and oak - a lovely package with plenty in reserve - 92

Peppertree Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - read ditto to the above but more ready and tannins softer - just a tad less in quality than the Alexander's.

Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese 1998 - developed colour with a mix of fresh and lively stonefruit, lime, petrol and redcurrant on nose and palate. Some lovely sweetness mixes perfectly with attractive slaty acidity on a long finish. Close to being ready, but will hold for quite some years. Outstanding German Nahe Riesling.

Hardy's Special Museum Release Vintage Port 1975 - if this is all this has done in 37 years, it will last for a hundred+! Got better and better for the many hours it was open. Incredible blackcurrant and blackberry fruit on both nose and palate with perfectly-judged spirit and astringency as counterbalance. A legend in the making. Mid-nineties but will rate higher in time, one would expect/hope. This wine has won more chamionships, trophies and gold medals than you would believe.

Earl Pierre Gaillard Cote Rotie "Les Pierre" 1999 - a few notches up on the standard issue Cote-Rotie from the same vintage I opened not so long ago. Again, not too apricotty which is my preferred style. 91/92

[porschemad911]

I tried this wine, 2008 Mont Redon and boy was a very disappointed but I was saved with this wine, 2007 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Cuvee Valbelle, it was rated 94, and it shown it's true colours....Red....

Sorry to hear you didn't like the Mont Redon, I have only tried the 2007 (with a French meal), and found it absolutely delicious.

[jafa]

2001 Te Mata Coleraine Dark red, classic cool vintage claret nose. Late choice to have wine, so a short 40mins in the decanter.
Full of red berryfruits plenty of tannin still present, and strong acidity. Cool vintage cabernet savory flavours that I find appealling when
accompanied with some bottle aging. Reminds me of the 1996 Coleraine, which has a similar profile, maybe a bit better.
No rush, this will without doubt keep with good cellaring. Very good, good.

[via collins]

Happily, I recouped on last weekend's semillon downer with a bright and tasty spark in the De Iulis 2005 aged release semillon. Zesty citrus fruits upfront, a nice toasty straw element in back, a whoa! whack of acid, this was heavenly with the baked chicken. My faith is well and truly restored.

Then it was the cool climate shiraz. 2005 St Peters from the Grampians was as moorish as it was a few months ago - wonderful balance of dark fruits, and dark chocolate, really lithe tannins, and as smooth and long a finish as I've enjoyed this year.

Then the Henty Estate 2006 shiraz last night. I reckon these folks fly way under the radar - wet autumn earth on the nose with dark cherries presenting as the bottle is open longer. A repeat of that subtle chocolate and berries blend the St Peters offered (fairly close terrain, Grampians to Henty). There's a blackcurrant pastille lick at the close, and a tad of licorice to finish it off. Strains of spring flowers in the mix as well - medium bodied, medium length, and the best $25 red I've enjoyed in a while. That's 4 gone now, and I regret not nabbing more.

Cheers all.

[odyssey]

Then we all kicked on to Lowenbrau for the beerfilled bucks night frenzy (congrats to odyssey!)...... sore head Sunday.

Still feeling it today... going to detox from now until next Saturday's boojfest...

[damonpeyo]

Penfolds 1956 5 Star Club Port - just a wonderful drop - all too smooth and easy to drink - disappeared amongst six of us in next to no time.

my grandfather who passed away few years ago, left that for us, very smooth. Opened it last year for step-father's 60th. Easy drinking, no fuss or drama old port, just simple good old aussie port.

[Waiters Friend]

Happily, I recouped on last weekend's semillon downer with a bright and tasty spark in the De Iulis 2005 aged release semillon. Zesty citrus fruits upfront, a nice toasty straw element in back, a whoa! whack of acid, this was heavenly with the baked chicken. My faith is well and truly restored.

Cheers all.

G'day via collins

Certainly something to be said for aged Hunter semillon. My Hunter visit earlier this year and judicious buying picked up a couple of 11s and some 07s, from Margan, Tallavera Grove, and Brokenwood. I'm currently sipping on a 2003 Elizabeth, and remembering why I named my eldest daughter after this wine (in 1996). Still clean crisp acid, lemon, with the developed toast and honey characters just starting to emerge. This is likely to be a longer lasting wine than the 2002.

Cheers

Allan

[WineRick]

Just finished 4th bottle (over the last week!) of a dozen of 2012 Pewsey Vale Riesling.
One of the great Pewseys - apparently already a winner of some silverware at Brisbane.
Searing, pure fruit - Rose's Lime Marmalade-like aroma which carries onto the palate, finishing
long, crisp and flavoursome on the finish. Can't think of a more perfect white for this Summer's
drinking. Happily admit to not understanding the fuss over Pinot G. This wine is a
stunner for the price.

[damonpeyo]

Just finished 4th bottle (over the last week!) of a dozen of 2012 Pewsey Vale Riesling.
One of the great Pewseys - apparently already a winner of some silverware at Brisbane.
Searing, pure fruit - Rose's Lime Marmalade-like aroma which carries onto the palate, finishing
long, crisp and flavoursome on the finish. Can't think of a more perfect white for this Summer's
drinking. Happily admit to not understanding the fuss over Pinot G. This wine is a
stunner for the price.

How did that compare to the '06 Vintage? if anyone know here? Got few bottles left in cellar. Brought one in spur of the moment at Dan's, loved it so much, that went back to grab other 6 bottles, believe paid $17-$18 each a seriously stunner, believe was part of Dan's '06 Vintages releases last year.

Interesting to observe how I am reading a lot of reports how 2012 was great vintage for a lot of wineries especially Grosset's and many other Riesling's labels from other vineyards.

Anyone know where I can find vintage reports of 2012, Langton's only done up to 2011, anyone know when they will release 2012 vintage reports?

You've somewhat inspired me to go and grab 6-12 of those, drink couple for the summer to test drive it out and leave others for couple years to compare my personal notes. I somewhat prefer my Rieslings not too young, somewhere middle aged "window" and maybe "later on window" if you get my meaning here.

[Waiters Friend]

Just finished 4th bottle (over the last week!) of a dozen of 2012 Pewsey Vale Riesling.

You've somewhat inspired me to go and grab 6-12 of those, drink couple for the summer to test drive it out and leave others for couple years to compare my personal notes. I somewhat prefer my Rieslings not too young, somewhere middle aged "window" and maybe "later on window" if you get my meaning here.

This is exactly what I do with some wines, and the Pewsey Vale riesling is one of them. I buy a case each year, drink 3-4 of them young, then watch the rest evolve over the next 8 years or so. I've been doing this for over 10 years now, and a couple of the 2003 (first under screwcap) remain for the final evaluation.

Underscrewcap, they may go longer. I had a memorable experience with a 1979 PV (screwcap) drunk in 2000.

[Craig(NZ)]

2001 Te Mata Coleraine Dark red, classic cool vintage claret nose. Late choice to have wine, so a short 40mins in the decanter.
Full of red berryfruits plenty of tannin still present, and strong acidity. Cool vintage cabernet savory flavours that I find appealling when
accompanied with some bottle aging. Reminds me of the 1996 Coleraine, which has a similar profile, maybe a bit better.
No rush, this will without doubt keep with good cellaring. Very good, good.

I dont think i've ever tried this vintage. Pretty much tried every other one though! Somehow ive missed this one