What are you drinking this weekend?

[dlo]

Anything interesting on the tasting bench/in the fridge for this weekend?

For me, I'm looking forward to cracking another red burgundy. I have a choice between Robert Chevillon's 1996 Nuits-St.-Georges Les Cailles or a Geantet-Pansiot 1998 Gevrey-Chambertin Le Poissenot. For a white I might try either a 2003 Grosset Watervale Riesling or a 1998 Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon. The fill level and light colour of the Tyrrell's looks pristine.

Feel free to post here with anything you've opened.

[sjw_11]

Shall I have a Grosset Gaia 1999 or a less fancy Jenke 2001 Cabernet?? Both recent auction buys. For a white Im thinking a Peter Lehman Eden Valley Riesling 2006 or should it be a Tahbilk 2004 Marsanne??

We should work out some sort of Poll system on here so the community can help make these tough "what to drink" decisions!!

[dan_smee]

Some great options there guys.

I'm looking at a 2003 Orland Lawson's Padthaway and possibly my last 1996 Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon. I originally bought 4, the first two were immaculate, the third was flat and really lacking in fruit. Don't want to let the last run out of legs.

Last weekend was a Brindabella Hills 2005 Shiraz - incredible drinking. Already showing some nice complex leather, earth, spice, mocha but the toasty oak was a real winner - powerful, moreish. Again, only 1 bottle left, but this has years left in it. Big regret that I haven't snapped up more of the Brindabella Hills Shiraz. Really looking forward to their 2009 release.

[dlo]

Roger Harris makes wonderful wine. His 2008 reds are also worth seeking out. The Shiraz is generally my favourite.

[AaronL]

Could be the last of the red wine drinking weather in Perth this weekend. I have a 1996 Bleasedale "Frank Potts" Cabernet Blend awaiting to be opened. The back label has a very cautious "5-6 years cellaring" advice. Fingers crossed I haven't been too ambitious in leaving it this long.

Shall I have a Grosset Gaia 1999 or a less fancy Jenke 2001 Cabernet?? Both recent auction buys. For a white Im thinking a Peter Lehman Eden Valley Riesling 2006 or should it be a Tahbilk 2004 Marsanne??

2004 Tahbilk Marsanne still gooing strong when I had one last year. Enjoy!

[dave vino]

Missed a good mates Birthday last week when as crook as a dog. So I decided to do a Boys Own Adventure dinner for him this week to make up for it. Off to the fish market in the morning to get some Balmain Bugs and Blue Spanner Crab for a Bisque.

Got some Bangalow Pork Belly for some Sticky Pork Belly to kick off proceedings with some Rockford Black Shiraz.

500Gm Rib Eye steaks on the bone, wet aged, 200 grain fed from Red & White Butchers with duck fat roast potatoes/rosemary/pancetta.

Drinks wise I'll have a Paringa Single Vineyard Chardonnay (with the Bisque), Rockford Basket Press, Mollydooker Carnival Of Love (with the steaks) and some Tokays and then raid the liquor cabinet (Diplomatico Ambassador, XO Cognac)

[TiggerK]

Dave, your legendary status is etched in ancient zircon.

Hope the night went as well as it looks! Can still taste that amazing Diplomatico rum.

Nothing like being crook and finally feeling better to make you appreciate feeling normal!!

Anyway, not too much for me.. Started tonight with a Simonnet Febvre Petit Chablis 2010. Really good value I reckon, plenty of solid nose interest and it follows through well on the palate for the price, great QPR. Only a half bottle left over from last night, so I dipped into the wine fridge with a Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2010. Classy nose to start, albeit reticent. But unfolded over a few happy hours, some nice mealy lightly spiced oak with a restrained and refined stonefruit palate with a hint of pineapple. Pushing the QPR at $50, but good stuff. Revisit in 3-5 years.

Cheers
Tim

[Michael R]

David
If I'm not too late,the 98 vat 1 is v delicious, but perhaps still room for improvement...in the unlikely event you haven't opened one in the last couple of years, would even suggest a brief decant.

Tim, I'm glad that Felton ended up giving some happiness, I always felt underwhelmed by the few I butchered in their youth.

Dave.....disappointing effort really.....no dessert?

For me, an 09 Puffeney Arbois CHardy, delicious, with the acid being the teachers pet.

[Michael R]

Also had an 09 Scarborough Chardonnay yellow label, toffee butterscotch, fruit salad, could see this making both Chardonnay lovers and haters happy.

[via collins]

Dave, is I fair to assume there was more than a hint of blackberry about the Rockford?

[dave vino]

Dave, is I fair to assume there was more than a hint of blackberry about the Rockford?

I think God just killed a kitten for that joke.

Mick: Yes there is dessert, I'm doing an Affogatto which is simple (Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, 1 shot of Frangelico, 1 shot of Expresso) with the Grand Tokay.

Then some Belle Fleur choccy's with the Rum.

[griff]

Opened a 2009 Senejac to take a look. Drinking well from the off. Tobacco leaf is dominant with some tomato but no green leaf character. Floral top notes. Nice blackcurrant palate with ample acidity. Very Good wine. Pretty swish for £15.

If I get over my cold I'll head over to a friends place. Bringing a 2003 Ogier Cote Rotie Les Embruns and a 2009 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Meursault Gouttes d'Or.

cheers

Carl

[dan_smee]

Just opened a bottle of Alinga 2010 Zephyr Red (what they claim is a Beaujolais Nouveau style, although made form Shriaz grapes).

For a $10 quaffer it was pleasantly drinkable - very light and fruity - not really a serious drink, but went well with the food, and was selected as a match.

The food for the record was a personal creation of mine - Kangaroo, Blueberry and Onion Relish pizza, with Rosemary and Rocket.

*edit* image didn't work, so here is a link - http://instagram.com/p/Qt1emUvBjJ/

[dlo]

Tried the 1998 (apologies, not the 1999 I indicated in my first post above) Geantet-Pansiot Le Poissenot on Friday night with friends over Turkish fare from a good local restaurant and we all were most impressed with how this is travelling. Definitely in its prime drinking window, the wine does reveal some colour development but houses an extremely healthy and fresh persona with an abundance of cherry fruit combined with the usual suspects of cured meat, undergrowth, spice, sap and subtle savoury oak. In the mouth there is a persistent drive and excellent line coupled with fine acidity, delicate tannins and a good long finish. Bag this vintage at your peril, if you must. For me this was an excellent Pinot worth drinking over the next 5+ years. 90 points.

Last night with a delicious homemade "old fashioned" Egg and Bacon Pie, I opened the 2003 Grosset Watervale Riesling (screwcap closure). What a cracker of a wine! From the infantile colour to the top notch developing honeyed nose of brown toast, lime juice, fresh herbs with some slate and mineral overtones to a wonderful palate that remains remarkably fresh and pungent with rivetting crunchy citrus fruit, a wonderful shroud of minerality, rapier-like acidity and a mesmerising finish as long as the night, this is classic Clare Valley riesling. I don't recall being as impressed with this wine in the past. Or perhaps, it was just my lucky day. Somehow, with Jeff Grosset involved, I don't think so. 93 points on its ear, possibly more with time. Drink now - 2020+.The best news of all is I have more than half a case left!

[Craig(NZ)]

Dave

Your photo reminded me so much of a steak I had when on business in Wellington at a place called "Crazy Horse". Advertised as 650g Rib Eye we washed it down with many glasses of 2010 Te Mata Coleraine. Then work paid the bill. Nice

[damonpeyo]

While watching MotoGP and Formula 1 Qualifying Rounds yesterday with couple mates (nice one Webber!)

2005 Wigan Eden Valley Riesling Nice Golden Glow colour in the glass, citrus lemon like bouquet hints of spice, palate seems to relax more now than couple years ago. Great drinking now.

2003 Grosset Polish Hill Fantastic Drop, fully developed flavors, awesome acidity, brilliant finish of zesty lime like of crisp, clean and length. Love it.

2002 Grosset Gaia surprisingly good drop, Far better than disappointing 1998. Light fluffy red mouth feel and long lean tannins, Soft ripe flavors as it's quietly whispering to your taste buds, Can see it go well for few more years in cellar. Medium-soft Oak notes. Well balanced for my palate.

2007 Wynns Coonawarra Cab, Shiraz, Merlot Blend Rather leafy/herbal on the nose, full of fresh, juicy red and black fruit flavors. Earthy undertones. Decanted this for couple hours.

[Mike Hawkins]

Today will be 1991 Penfolds Bin 28, 1996 Seppelts Dorrien, 1996 Orlando lCentenary Hill Shiraz and 2002 Kalleske Shiraz

[daz]

Bests Great Western Riesling 2012, much in the style of the 2011 but with a hint of perfume, not as intense in flavour.
Wirra Wirra Church Block 2010, a good example with cab dominant, shiraz and merlot adding to the middle palate before the cabernet tannins provide a drying finish with some greenish vegetal characters with a little alcohol warmth.
Chalice Bridge Chapman Series Shiraz Cabernet 08, an interesting wine, well-integrated cedar oak, black fruits with a hint of licorice, some eucalypt on the good length finish.

[daz]

Today will be 1991 Penfolds Bin 28, 1996 Seppelts Dorrien, 1996 Orlando lCentenary Hill Shiraz and 2002 Kalleske Shiraz

That's a pretty impressive group of wines, hope the cork gods were benign.

Cheers
daz

[Matt]

Borsao Tocado Grenache 2011
Medium bodied with light, dusty berry characters. Very appealing and easy to drink. If you are looking for a bargain, at $8.50, this is it.

Lamonts Black Monster (Malbec)
This impresses with the most amazing purpley, red and black hue. No need to smell the wine with you nose in the glass, as when poured, dark mulberries act as an alluring halo well above the rim. Its very good, however needs some air time to settle down. From non irrigated vines in, of all places, Donnybrook WA.

[Mike Hawkins]

Thanks Daz,

The Kalleske and Bin 28 were less than I expected. Having had both recently, it was clear these may not have been cellared well in the past. The Dorrien was fantastic, and the Centenary was pretty good - just finished a little short. Also ended up having a 1986 Yalumba Signature that was excellent.

Mike

[sjw_11]

Well I ended up having both of the red I mentioned in my first post! one on Friday and one on Saturday...

Grosset Gaia 1999 Cabernet (70%) Cab Franc (20%) and a little merlot... Still quite dense red coloured, this had an expressive but serious bouqet of cedar, cigar box, mulberries, and all spice. The palate was long and supple. I described this as a "grown up" wine, reminiscent of Bdx in its styling.

Jenke Cabernet 2001... Suprise packet indeed. Definitely in the rich, ripe, chocolate Barossa cab mold, but carrying this well with the age. Delicious drinking, and an auction bargin <$10. The nose is better than the palate, which is just a bit blocky and heavy.

[Teisto]

More what I have drunk over the last few weekends due to preparing for renos before Xmas

2009 Baldewindi Chardonnay- Good drinking
Teusner NV Pinot Noir Chardonnay - Crisp and dry - another value for money sparkling
2009 Domaine Lucci Red - This has settled down very nicely and was a pleasure to drink
2010 Grant Burge Dolcetto Syrah - Drank this when it was warming up. A serve chilled proposition and the Shiraz gives it a nice depth

[dlo]

Grosset Gaia 1999 Cabernet (70%) Cab Franc (20%) and a little merlot... Still quite dense red coloured, this had an expressive but serious bouqet of cedar, cigar box, mulberries, and all spice. The palate was long and supple. I described this as a "grown up" wine, reminiscent of Bdx in its styling.

Although Grosset gets most raps for his riesling, his Bordeaux blend can be just as good. The 1999 Gaia rates up there with the best vintages - 2008 is an absolute stunner but I have fond memories of the wonderful 1994, a 2002 and the 2004. I can't remember ever having a bad chardonnay from them either.

[dave vino]

Steak was pretty good. I have converted another person to Rockford BP!!

Guess who, don't sue!! (tasted fine though)



Peppercorn Gravy/Pancetta and Rosemary Roast Potatoes.

[jimbob47]

I opened up a 2004 Joseph Moda that was drinking superbly and then a David Franz Larrikin NV III and his Semillon. A good trio.

[Sharkey]

21 Zinfandels / Primitivos / Plavac Malis with lunch on Saturday

Bubbly to start
2008 Cargo Road Sparkling Zinfandel

Croatia
2008 Dingac Plavac Mali
2007 Vinogorje Korcula Plavac Blato

Italy
2004 Marpione Primitivo Reserva
2005 Tenuta Pri Mit Ivo
2006 Apollianio Terragnolo Primitivo
2008 Sessantanni Primitivo Di Manduria

USA
2005 Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel 40th Anniversery
2006 Clos Du Val Zinfandel
2007 Scott Harvey Ild Vine Reserve Zinfandel
2008 Valley of the Moon Zinfandel

Australia – Flight 1
2005 Irvine Reserve Zinfandel - Barossa
2006 Peel Estate Old Vine Zinfandel – Peel Region
2009 Kangarilla Road Black St Peter Zinfandel – McClaren Vale

Australia – Flight 2
2009 Lowe Zinfandel - Mudgee
2007 Pigs Peake Wolfie - Orange
2010 Cargo Road Zinfandel - Orange

Dessert
2010 Cargo Road Dessert Zinfandel
2011 Cargo Road Botrytis Zinfandel
2006 Dry Creek Late Harvest Zinfandel – USA

Lunch finished after 8pm and then we drank an assortment of non-Zinfandel wines.

[Red Smurf]

Sounds like a good day/night Sharkey
What did you think of the Irvine Zin? Just out of curiosity?

Smurf

[TiggerK]

I'm curious about the Geyserville 05 too..

[Sharkey]

I couldn’t take any notes as I was opening and pouring wines at this winery lunch for 40 people.

This lunch is an annual event and the Irvine is always one of the favourites. I have also had a few bottles out of my cellar which have been great too. I met Jim Irvine at a dinner last year and told him I prefer his Zin to his Merlot. His daughter worked in America for a while and when she came home she convinced her dad to plant Zinfandel. The 2003 vintage won the London International Wine Challenge Zinfandel Trophy, which sort of gives you bragging rights to say “best Zin in the world”.

With the Geyserville; as soon as the 4 USA wines were poured you could see the Geyserville was much darker. It is actually a blend of 77% Zinfandel, 17% Carignane and 6% Petite Sirah (Durif to us Aussies). It is a very good wine in its own right, but not quite your classic Zin.