Proposed Melb Offline: Aged Coonawarra Cab/blends

[Softie]

Hi All,

I reckon we don't have enough Melbourne offlines. So let's have Expressions of Interest, please, in an offline at a CBD eatery one evening soon (3-4 weeks, say) on this theme:

Connawarra Cabs or Cab-blends 5+ years old; do delightful ones demand >8 years of age or can they delight earlier? (Like their Margaret River peers.)

I'd bring a medium aged one: 2005 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Messenger Vineyard - which when I tried this 2-3 years ago I felt needed more time to integrate oak and fruit.

I do have a feeling that Coonawarra Cabs need more time than Margaret River ones to create terrific tasting experiences - and my purchasing habits are now biased in favour of MR Reds. But I'd like to put that perspective to the test.

Regards to all,

John

[cuttlefish]

I love Cabernet, so you can probably include us dates permitting.

[damonpeyo]

Pity recently moved to Queensland, got fair bit of cabernets still in off site Wine storage down Melbourne, would have brought along the 1998 Orlando Jacaranda Ridge.

[mjs]

I am definitely interested, think I've got a few bottles to choose from

[mjs]

Just out of interest, my perspective would be leaning to older than 8 yrs

[Mahmoud Ali]

I'm not in Melbourne so my opinion probably doesn't matter but any good Cabernet, let alone Coonawarra, would require more than 10 years. I would use 10 years as a STARTING point. I'm not sure I would even think of opening a decent 2003 Cabernet from anywhere.

Mahmoud.

[mjs]

Nothing with a 2 in front of it?

[Softie]

Good to get your contributions folks - and it seems we have 5-6 likely attendees within 24 hours: Cuttlefish 2, me 2, mjs [1? 2?).

Damonpeyo ... could you just give us the details of where your Cabernets are stored and weaknesses in the security system? ... [No, you say!].

Mahmoud - glad to get your input. Your view would be widespread for many and a great implied goal for those with good cellars and well placed to invest in patience. Yet, I have found many Margaret River Cabs - not so much their Coonawarra peers, indisputably good drinking at 4-8 years age even for devoted wine lovers ... without denying that most would have got better.

I'm confident now we're in for a good night with worthwhile numbers.

John

[mjs]

John,

Probably one for me at this stage. Geoff who came to the chard/shiraz tasting is in Europe for the next month.

rgds
Malcolm

[paulf]

I'd be up for this as well, if the dates work out (I'm overseas for a month from Sep 13th).
I've got easy access to a few different 04s and 05s.

I assume everybody knows about the Coonawarra roadshow that is happening next week around the country?

cheers

Paul

[Softie]

I've got two friends from CellarTracker who want in too, dates permitting. I think that's eight probables, so far.

I'll suggest a date in next 48 hours.

John

[sparky]

Geez, I'm not sure what my stocks of aged Coonawarra Cabernet are like, but I'd better show up to maintain the gender balance if nothing else!!

I can definitely find aged Cabernet or Coonawarra Cabernet, just not sure if they'll be in the same bottle... I'd better bring both.

[dlo]

I'm not in Melbourne so my opinion probably doesn't matter but any good Cabernet, let alone Coonawarra, would require more than 10 years. I would use 10 years as a STARTING point. I'm not sure I would even think of opening a decent 2003 Cabernet from anywhere.

Mahmoud.

Did someone make a decent Cabernet in 2003? I heard all the grapes died of either heat exhaustion, sunstroke or dehydration or combinations of the preceeding ailments?



PS Mahmoud Ali ..... I agree with your aging assessment but perhaps not all the offliner's may be able to access aged Cabernet stock.

[simon1980]

John, I'd love to be able to come along...but have a couple of small issues:

My diary is dreadful.
My stock of aged Cab is a disaster zone...

I'm hoping a date will fall nicely - so please do let me know what you have an idea. With regards to Cab, could I possibly arrange to bring something different? Some decent grower Champagne maybe?

simon1980

[via collins]

Hi John,

Absolutely interested, there hasn't been a dud Melbourne meeting yet!

Sadly, aged Coonawarra cabernet is a massive weak spot in my cellar, but I shall find something appropriate should the date work. The Katnook Odyssey that Malcom bought along last time still haunts my dreams!

Cheers,

Via Collins

[Cloth Ears]

Mary: John, once we had something that was pure and wonderful, and… and good. What happened to it?
John: You drank it.
(with apologies to "I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again")

I'll check with Mrs CE to see what's on at the end of August. Are we talking proper CBD, or slightly out (Carlton, South Yarra...)?

[monghead]

Nothing with a 2 in front of it?

I like the idea of this...

[LGW]

Hi all!
First time poster, long time reader. I've been into wine for over a decade now but would consider myself a novice still compared to most on here! I'd be interested to come along to the offline as not many of my friends are into wine.

I only have a limited number of aged coonawarra. I was thinking maybe a 1998 Petaluma merlot to compare with a cab of similar age? Otherwise I have the following:
2004 zema cab
2005 Majella cab
2005 Petaluma coonawarra

Anyway I'm available most nights except the 23rd aug weekend.

[Softie]

Well this is encouraging,

A few responses:

'The Simons (1980 and Via Collins) [Simons seem to have a weak spot on Coonawarra Cabs. I think I can help you with Coonawarra Cab blends of eligible age - just exchange or throw me the original cost. Email or PM me?

Sparky - a tip: I think Treasury Wine Estates might be able to help you with your inventory challenge - PM their regular contributor here - her pen name is, err, Sparky.

Paul f - it'll be before you leave.

Clothears - well done; made me smile.

Monghead - Lennart, please don't encourage them [Mahmoud and mjs etc]! Otherwise we'll be comparing 10+ YO Cabs with, umm, 10+ YO Cabs. I am hoping to be proved wrong that younger Coonawarra Cabs can't delight. Hell, I might bring some Margaret River Cabs < 10YO to try to prove their greater drinkability at younger stages than their Coona. peers.

LGW - delighted to hear we've inspired you to post and come along. I suggest you bring one of the Cab blends - not the Merlot - to support the theme and question posed, but ignore that if you'll get more fun from sharing the aged Merlot.

All: I'll post a date tomorrow [inevitably some will miss any given day] and finalise a venue [which I want to make the CBD for ease of access for all].

John

[via collins]

Very magnanimous of you John.

Suggestions for future themes:

- arcane Grenache blends
- Tahbilk marsannes

I'll bring cases to those ones!

[simon1980]

Many thanks for the kind offer John. However on inspection in the cellar, I found something suitable. Looking forward to hearing more details. Cheers for driving (again!)

simon1980

[Softie]

Subject to confirmation - mostly re venue - I've nominated 31 Aug 6:30 for 7pm at 'The Moat', Basement, 176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne. It's near the corner with Swanston and near the State library and Melbourne Central. Easy access on trams and trains and plenty of parking stations within a few blocks.

The manager seems very co-operative, food prices are mid-range [rather than more], and it's a cafe/wine bar with an appreciation for things wine lovers value, including glassware, decanters, spittoons, and room for wines yet to be served. You can find UrbanSpoon data here: http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1631702/restaurant/CBD/The-Moat-Melbourne

More details of prices and menus to come when finalised.

Chances are some will find clashes with this date, but unless they are widely felt, we'd stick to 31 August as it would be as good as any other date.

John

[mjs]

yep, picked the one date that I don't have available around that time ....

[cuttlefish]

That date actually looks perfect for us.

[paulf]

Works well for me too.

[sparky]

Yep, that works for me.

Now I'd better go and have a chat with myself in a quiet corner somewhere about some aged Coonawarra Cabernet.. I hope I'm in a good mood..

[via collins]

My god this thread is fair flying!

Could this be the turnaround for Melbourne??

I reckon I can do that date too, and will advise if I'm needing help John.

cheers,

[Hacker]

My god this thread is fair flying!

Could this be the turnaround for Melbourne??

cheers,

You have a long way to go to catch up with your Sydney cousins Hope it's a great night guys, and the first of many!

[Softie]

[Sydney - that's an insignificant suburb north of Coburg, isn't it?]

Yep, this thread is rockin'. Also, on latest indications we could have six or more participants not on Auswine that are friends of mine from CellarTracker - or their associates.

We're at about 17 firm expressions of intent to attend. Say 6 ex CellarTracker, Cuttlefish +1, me +1, Sparky, Paulf, Via Collins, Simon1980, Cloth Ears +1, LGW

Ya!

John

[TiggerK]

17 people sounds like a Magnum event John.